Bully Zero is proud to host National Bullying Prevention Week. This year, the week will be held on Monday 14th August - Sunday 20th August 2023.
Bullying impacts over 2 millions Australians every year: whether it's young people at school, employees in the workplace, or all ages online, many face the challenging impacts of becoming targets of bullying behaviours.
WHY IS THIS WEEK NECESSARY?
According to statistics, 1 in 4 young people and up to 1 in 9 employees experience bullying. Millions of Australians are impacted directly and indirectly each year.
In addition, approximately one in five school students reported experiencing online bullying in any one year and up to 100,000 school children stay home each day because they feel unsafe.
Research has shown that victims of bullying report more severe anxiety symptoms than others. Being bullied is also linked to social anxiety, which often lasts into adulthood and increases the risk of developing personality disorders. Depression is another negative consequence of bullying, which might lead to suicidal ideation and even suicide attempts.
The National Bullying Prevention Week will serve as an important platform to raise awareness of bullying and its impact on individuals and communities. The week will also help Bully Zero to raise vital funds to deliver our education and support programs across Australia.
Bullying has a long lasting effect on those who experience and witness it. But by channelling our collective power, through shared efforts and shared ambitions, we can reduce bullying together. From parents and carers, to employees and employers, to the media and politicians, to children and young people, we all have a part to play in coming together to make a difference.
We’re all a piece in the puzzle, and together, we’re united against bullying.
MEET HIRO
Harry is now known as Hiro. A 16-year-old young man who spends his days educating the community and protecting civilians from people who try to bring them down. He promotes kindness and wants to partner with YOU to stand up for those who have been bullied and bring safety, respect and harmony to all lives.
- I am personally accountable
- I am responsible
- I am respectful
- I am kind
I AM HIRO
POWERS
- Shield that protects people from physical bullying and deflects verbal bullying
- Teleporter on his arm allows him to shift between the online and real-world to protect people
- The handprint is a symbol for people to place their hands on their chest to harness HIRO's power to stand up and act against bullying
- Boots allow HIRO to run at lightning speed allowing him to reach and protect people from bullying as it can end in around 10 seconds when immediate action is taken
Harry is now known as HIRO. A 16-year-old young man who spends his days educating the community and protecting civilians from people who try to bring them down
HIRO'S STORY
After being a target of bullying throughout primary school, Harry decided to retaliate by bullying others first to protect himself from being bullied. It made him feel powerful and strong. Others feared him and that satisfied him. However, after witnessing his sister being bullied and the amount of hurt and pain it caused her; it made him realise that his actions were nasty and that he had lost many of his friends in the process. Harry felt lost and empty inside. He had no idea who he was or what his purpose in life was.
Opening his school locker one day, he noticed that a piece of paper had been slipped in. The note read ‘Meet me in the gym.’ Being a curious person by nature, during his lunch break, Harry walked towards the gym thinking he would physically meet someone. Entering the gym, he heard nothing but his echoing footsteps. Baffled as to why he was the only presence in the gym, he noticed an orange shield and set of clothes on a bench in the corner of the gym and started walking towards it. Placed on top of the clothes was another note. It read “It is time for you to give up your past and do good. Bring kindness to others; protect and stand up for those who have been bullied.” Feeling a sense of pride and achievement and a new purpose on life, he innocently put on his new suit, popped his feet in his new boots, held his shield and stood taller.
Harry is now known as HIRO. A16-year-old young man who spends his days educating the community and protecting civilians from people who try to bring them down. He promotes kindness and wants to partner with YOU to stand up for those who have been bullied and bring safety, respect and harmony to all lives.
WHY "HIRO?"
HIRO is a Japanese name with various meanings, including generous, tolerant and prosperous. At Bully Zero, we like to think of the four letters of HIRO's name as an acronym for Honesty, Integrity, Respect and Optimism; which are the four pillars of our leadership program “The HIRO Effect.”
GET INVOLVED ON SUPERHIRO WEDNESDAY
Bully Zero is proud to be hosting SUPERHIRO Wednesday - an annual fun day that involves schools, workplaces or the community wearing their favourite Superhero outfit or symbol on Wednesday 17 November.
ITS EASY TO GET INVOLVED
ENCOURAGE your community, school or workplace to commit to SUPERHIRO Wednesday.
REGISTER and let us know what you will be doing.
REMIND your household, community, school and workplace to dress up on Wednesday 18 November.
COLLECT donations from those who dress up on the day!
DONATE what you have raised to Bully Zero.