This year\u2019s Do It For Dolly Day on May 13 will see communities across the country in bigger numbers than ever embrace its messages to be kind, dress in blue, fundraise and take a stand against bullying.<\/p>\n
Established in 2018 by Northern Territory parents, Kate and Tick Everett after their 14-year-old daughter Dolly took her own life following sustained and ongoing bullying and online bullying, Dolly\u2019s Dream acts as a voice for those who can\u2019t speak for themselves.<\/p>\n
Dolly\u2019s Dream aims to create a kinder, safer world and works to change the culture of bullying through education and direct support to young people and families.<\/p>\n
Kate, Tick and Dolly\u2019s sister Meg are calling on families to start the conversation with their young ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one deserves to be bullied,\u201d Kate said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that only about half of teens who have been bullied online tell their parents about it. We also know one in 10 young people have been the target of hate speech.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome teens hide their experiences of online bullying so well that their families have no idea anything is wrong. This Do it For Dolly Day, we\u2019re calling on parents and carers to have the conversation with your child to end bullying.\u201d<\/p>\n
In her new role as Dolly\u2019s Dream ambassador, Meg Everett said she wanted to be a spokesperson for young people \u2013 especially for Do It For Dolly Day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about honouring my little sister\u2019s memory,\u201d Meg said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has had a huge effect on this world, and I want to make sure no one forgets her name.<\/p>\n
\u201cDolly needs to be remembered for bringing kindness into this world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Psychologist and Dolly\u2019s Dream advisory board member Dr Charlotte Keating said talking in a calm, controlled way helped young people know it\u2019s not their fault if they\u2019re being bullied. It also lets them know how you feel about bullying, and how you would respond if they came to you for support.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are not one-off conversations. As young people grow, social experiences become more complex, and bullying can become more sophisticated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more we are prepared to have open, curious conversations with young people about bullying: what their beliefs about bullying are and its impacts, what they would do if faced with a bullying situation, how they would want to deal with it – the greater the chance we will have to help them build resilience and skills to cope with it, including seeking your support.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll also be better prepared to support a peer who may be experiencing it, too,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
To learn about conversation starters to end bullying in your family, and more about Do It For Dolly Day, head to the Dolly’s Dream website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With recent research showing half of young people have experienced hurtful or nasty online behaviour in the past year, it\u2019s never been more important for families to have open conversations to build trust and end bullying. This year\u2019s Do It For Dolly Day on May 13 will see communities across the country in bigger numbers […]<\/p>\n