The ABC has named ReachOut Australia as the expert partner in a new season of bullying-related programming.
ReachOut Australia CEO Jono Nicholas said: ‘We’re very supportive of ABC’s decision to raise awareness of bullying in Australia, and of their interest in connecting audiences affected by bullying to appropriate support services.
‘Bullying affects people in different ways and can have serious impacts on mental health and wellbeing. Reflecting its prevalence in the community, ReachOut’s information about bullying is accessed thousands of times each week, making it some of the most-accessed content in our service.’
ReachOut’s 18 years of experience will assist the ABC in developing an online portal designed to bridge audiences of numerous programs with information and support pathways relating to bullying.
Nicholas added: ‘ReachOut provides practical support on a range of issues that matter to young people, including bullying. With the launch of our new service for parents in April, we’ll soon provide a similar breadth of information and advice to help parents understand what they can do for teenage children who are going through tough times. This will include information about what to do if their child is being bullied, or bullying others.
‘As a key partner of this important season of programming, our role is to work with the ABC and other services to help connect people affected by bullying to information and support that’s right for them.’
The Bully Project will form the central plank of a season of programming running across the ABC. The aim of the season will be to examine the causes, context and consequences of bullying in Australia today.
ABC Director of Television Richard Finlayson said: ‘The statistics are shocking. The ABC is committed to being the home of important national conversations and I expect The Bully Project and the ABC’s season of programming will act as a catalyst on this issue. We are working closely with our production partners to ensure the highest duty of care to all participants, while lifting the lid on what’s actually taking place among young people today.’
Former Olympic swimmer and former Young Australian of the Year Ian Thorpe OAM will host the The Bully Project and is encouraging members of the public aged 14–18 years of age to get in touch to take part in the series: ‘More than a quarter of school children in Australia claim to have been bullied on a regular basis which is unacceptable. I’m passionate about shining a light on this issue. If you live in Queensland, and you or your child is being bullied or know someone who is, we want to hear from you. Go to stopbullying.tv to find out more.’
Interested in being part of the The Bully Project? Visit stopbullying.tv to find out more.
For further information and interview requests with ReachOut CEO Jono Nicholas contact:
Doug Millen, ReachOut Australia
02 8029 7725 | 0425 865 851 | doug@reachout.com
Young people can turn to ReachOut.com from anywhere and at any time for free self-help tools, information, and a peer support forum.
National 24/7 crisis phone support for young people is available from Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
ReachOut Australia CEO Jono Nicholas said: ‘We’re very supportive of ABC’s decision to raise awareness of bullying in Australia, and of their interest in connecting audiences affected by bullying to appropriate support services.
‘Bullying affects people in different ways and can have serious impacts on mental health and wellbeing. Reflecting its prevalence in the community, ReachOut’s information about bullying is accessed thousands of times each week, making it some of the most-accessed content in our service.’
ReachOut’s 18 years of experience will assist the ABC in developing an online portal designed to bridge audiences of numerous programs with information and support pathways relating to bullying.
Nicholas added: ‘ReachOut provides practical support on a range of issues that matter to young people, including bullying. With the launch of our new service for parents in April, we’ll soon provide a similar breadth of information and advice to help parents understand what they can do for teenage children who are going through tough times. This will include information about what to do if their child is being bullied, or bullying others.
‘As a key partner of this important season of programming, our role is to work with the ABC and other services to help connect people affected by bullying to information and support that’s right for them.’
The Bully Project will form the central plank of a season of programming running across the ABC. The aim of the season will be to examine the causes, context and consequences of bullying in Australia today.
ABC Director of Television Richard Finlayson said: ‘The statistics are shocking. The ABC is committed to being the home of important national conversations and I expect The Bully Project and the ABC’s season of programming will act as a catalyst on this issue. We are working closely with our production partners to ensure the highest duty of care to all participants, while lifting the lid on what’s actually taking place among young people today.’
Former Olympic swimmer and former Young Australian of the Year Ian Thorpe OAM will host the The Bully Project and is encouraging members of the public aged 14–18 years of age to get in touch to take part in the series: ‘More than a quarter of school children in Australia claim to have been bullied on a regular basis which is unacceptable. I’m passionate about shining a light on this issue. If you live in Queensland, and you or your child is being bullied or know someone who is, we want to hear from you. Go to stopbullying.tv to find out more.’
Interested in being part of the The Bully Project? Visit stopbullying.tv to find out more.
Related
- Be part of the series: Visit stopbullying.tv
- Ian Thorpe takes on bullying for ABC (Media Release), 29 February 2016, ABC TV
- How to stand up against bullying, ReachOut Australia
- Bullying: Get the facts, ReachOut Australia
- Thorpe to host doco on bullying, 28 February 2016, Sky News
- Teenagers won’t be shamed on ABC series The Bully Project hosted by Ian Thorpe, 28 February 2016, Herald Sun
- Ian Thorpe to host new ABC documentary on teen bullying, 28 February 2016, Daily Life
Media enquiries
For further information and interview requests with ReachOut CEO Jono Nicholas contact:
Doug Millen, ReachOut Australia
02 8029 7725 | 0425 865 851 | doug@reachout.com
Need to talk to someone right now?
Young people can turn to ReachOut.com from anywhere and at any time for free self-help tools, information, and a peer support forum.
National 24/7 crisis phone support for young people is available from Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
