The casualties of bullying, especially cyber bullying, have been reported in the news frequently in recent years, resulting in mass efforts to combat the problem. What might not be known is that the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) identifies bullying as a violation of human rights.

Inverell’s Kirsty Duffy has a background is in behavioural sciences and has been a professional in the welfare sector for a number of years. She is currently completing a Master’s in Social Work.

Kirsty engaged with Mehi/McIntyre Mental Health Service in Inverell on a project to educate the public on the impacts of bullying, the responsibility of the bystander, and the ways people can make a difference.

They have established a display for the month at the Inverell Public Library as a centre of information for those who have been affected by bullying.

They chose bullying  – one of the many subjects that affect human mental health – to promote the theme of ‘Kindness: Little Acts Big Impacts’ for Mental Health Month 2013. 

“We decided to focus on the issue of bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment and violence and to give examples of how people can, when witnessing bullying, make a difference in somebody’s life,” Kirsty said.

She outlined statistics on how internet access had cultivated the culture of bullying.

“Now nine out of 10 people own a mobile phone, and through mobile phone access, have access to the internet. For 14- to 17 year-olds in particular, 91 per cent of that age group spend a minimum of an hour a day on the internet and up to eight hours a day. And that’s just that age group,” Kirsty said.

“Typically in the past, bullying has been something that has been confined to the schoolyard or workplace and people get reprieve from it when they come home.”

Kirsty said with the majority of people logging on when they get home, or to a presumed place of safety, they are still faced with aspects of bullying. This is a concern for the AHRC.

“It’s having a huge impact on people’s right to education, right to freedom, right to be the persons that they want to be; rights in terms of race, religion, sex, gender, gender preferences  – and that’s where the violations are coming in,” she said.

The AHRC has created a complaints line for all adults and young people and established a campaign called BackMeUp with singer Ruby Rose, which targets the bystanders.

“Because all of us have seen it. One in 10 people have been targeted, but the scary part is, at least one in five are witnessing it. And those witnesses and bystanders are the ones that can make the critical difference in our community, to our friends, our families, our work colleagues that are experiencing bullying,” Kirsty said.

“It is hard to confront bullies, but we all have a choice. Are we the bully? Are we the victim? Or do we want to be an active bystander that can actually make a difference to the mental health and well being of those being affected?”

To learn more about bullying, how to find help and how a witness can make a difference, the information display is up for the month of October at the Inverell Public Library. 

There are many resources listed in the display for help for young people, those in the workplace and victims of elder abuse. Locally, individuals can find support with Mehi/McIntyre Mental Health Service, 1800 011 511. They can lend support or direct individuals to the best service to help both victims and those who feel powerless in the face of bullying.