17/08/2026
Trigger warning: Bullying
For the next seven days, the annual Bully? No Way National Week of Action is recognised across Australia.
As one of Australia’s key bullying prevention initiatives for schools, this week helps raise awareness, promote prevention strategies and create safer communities.
As parents, guardians, mentors and carers of people with disabilities, it deeply saddens (and equally infuriates) us that people with disabilities are more vulnerable to bullying.
Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that young people with disability are more than twice as likely to experience bullying as young people without disability.
We understand that bullying is a very large, complex social issue that demands far more than a post on social media to eradicate. But if there’s anything you can take from this post, we hope it’s this: Bullying is NEVER okay and must be called out (if safe to do so).
This year’s theme, Small Acts, Big Impact, is a reminder that we don’t always need to make a huge gesture to create meaningful change.
Sometimes it can be as simple as:
💜 Inviting someone to join in.
💜 Saying hello and starting a conversation.
💜 Making sure everyone has a genuine opportunity to participate.
💜 Speaking up when something isn’t okay.
💜 Checking in when someone seems left out.
💜 Choosing inclusion over assumptions.
💜 Listening, respecting and valuing people with disability for who they are.
These small moments can make a BIG impact, and possibly be the difference that allows someone to feel welcomed, safe and respected. To feel that they truly belong.
Bullying? We say NO way, every day 💜
Further information and useful resources can be found on the Bullying, No Way Week website https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/
Psychology support is available at Liberty DS, call 5275 8627
Image descriptions in alt text.
Information sourced from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/children-youth/negative-online-experiences
