“Give me a knife, I want to kill myself,” an Australian boy traumatized by bullying told his mother in a video that has gone viral and has unleashed a wave of global solidarity, as well as increased awareness of the devastating effects of the known in English as bullying.
In the six-minute video, broadcast on Facebook Live by his mother, Quaden Bayles sobs after the last incident at his school in Canberra. The child, 9 years old and of the aboriginal minority, suffers a genetic disorder (achondroplasia) that causes dwarfism.
“This is what causes bullying, I want people to know how much it hurts us as a family,” says his mother, Yarraka Bayles, in the video, “this is the impact of bullying on a 9-year-old boy who only he wants to go to school, study and have fun. ”
The video has been watched by millions of people and has moved citizens, politicians and celebrities, promoting the #Stopbullying label on social networks.
Eric Trump, son of the US president, commented on Twitter that he was “absolutely heartbreaking.” “God bless this child … Quaden, we are all with you! Stay strong! ”He wrote.
Australian actor Hugh Jackman wrote on Twitter: “You have a friend in me.”
“This is one of the most difficult videos I’ve seen,” Boston Celtics basketball player Enes Kanter wrote, “there is no room in the world for stalkers.”
American comedian Brad Williams – who, like Bayles, suffers from achondroplasia – launched a campaign in GoFundme to finance a trip to Disneyland parks in California. In just over 24 hours, the campaign has raised more than $ 274,000, far exceeding the initial goal of 10,000 thanks to donations from more than 12,000 people.
One of the first organizations to show solidarity was the Indigenous All-Stars team of the National Rugby League. Quaden will lead the team in the parade before the preseason game on Saturday against the Maori All-Stars in Queensland.
“I just want to wish you all the best, brother. We know you are going through a difficult time right now, but the boys on the team are here, we support you. We are here to support you, friend,” said Latrell Mitchell, one of the stars of the equipment.
Chatri Sityodtong, an expert in martial arts, also announced on Twitter that Quaden’s mother had accepted an invitation to visit him in Singapore with all expenses paid, to teach him self-defense techniques.
Quaden is the face of Stand Tall 4 Dwarfism, a charity created by his mother to raise awareness and stop bullying, according to the Australian website Seven news. It has undergone multiple operations and has been subject to abuse in the past.
Bullying, a chronic problem
In the United States, approximately 20% of students between the ages of 12 and 18 experience bullying, according to a 2017 report from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Office of Justice. These children may suffer from depression and anxiety, and are more prone to suicide.
This week it was learned that a New Jersey school district will pay an indemnification $ 25,000 to a Puerto Rican child for not taking measures to prevent abuses against him that were motivated by racial discrimination.
The Stopbullying.gov website offers resources in English and Spanish on what to do to address these situations.
These are some advices:
– Intervene immediately and seek the help of another adult.
-Separate the children involved and make sure everyone is safe.
-Address any immediate medical or mental health needs.
– Set an example and act respectfully when intervening.
It also recommends avoiding common mistakes such as:
-Do not believe that children can solve it without the help of an adult.
-Don’t try to find out immediately what happened.
-Do not force other children to say in public what they saw.
-Do not question the children involved in front of their classmates.
-Do not talk to all the children involved at once but individually.
-Do not make the children involved apologize or amend the relationship immediately.
In addition, if threats or physical aggressions occur, including sexual abuse, they must report to the authorities.
(Edited by Ivette Leyva)
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