1 00:00:10,614 --> 00:00:15,254 Speaker 1: You're listening to a Muma Mia podcast. Mumma Mea acknowledges 2 00:00:15,334 --> 00:00:18,134 Speaker 1: the traditional owners of land and waters that this podcast 3 00:00:18,214 --> 00:00:18,934 Speaker 1: is recorded on. 4 00:00:21,734 --> 00:00:25,014 Speaker 2: Hey, I'm Taylor Strano. This is Mumma Mir's twice daily 5 00:00:25,094 --> 00:00:29,214 Speaker 2: news podcast, The Quickie. It's no secret Australia has a 6 00:00:29,214 --> 00:00:33,574 Speaker 2: problem when it comes to childhood bullying. Recent data puts 7 00:00:33,654 --> 00:00:38,334 Speaker 2: more and more young folks seeking help from professionals like Kids' Helpline. 8 00:00:38,774 --> 00:00:41,774 Speaker 2: But what actually happens when a child reaches out for 9 00:00:41,854 --> 00:00:45,134 Speaker 2: help and how can we ensure they're being heard and 10 00:00:45,174 --> 00:00:48,454 Speaker 2: supported at home before we get there. Here's Claire Murphy 11 00:00:48,454 --> 00:00:52,534 Speaker 2: with the latest from The Quickie newsroom for Monday, August eleven. 12 00:00:52,374 --> 00:00:56,574 Speaker 1: Thanks Taylor. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenski's one diplomatic backing from 13 00:00:56,574 --> 00:00:59,534 Speaker 1: Europe and NATO ahead of a Russia US summit this 14 00:00:59,614 --> 00:01:02,894 Speaker 1: week after fears Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump may try 15 00:01:02,934 --> 00:01:05,094 Speaker 1: to dictate terms for ending the three and a half 16 00:01:05,174 --> 00:01:07,814 Speaker 1: year war without them. Trump, who for weeks has been 17 00:01:07,854 --> 00:01:11,134 Speaker 1: threatening new sanctions against Russia for failing to halt the war, 18 00:01:11,454 --> 00:01:14,534 Speaker 1: announced on Friday he would meet Putin on August fifteenth 19 00:01:14,534 --> 00:01:17,574 Speaker 1: in Alaska. A white House official said Trump is open 20 00:01:17,614 --> 00:01:21,174 Speaker 1: to Zelenski attending, but preparations are underway for only the 21 00:01:21,254 --> 00:01:24,494 Speaker 1: Russian and US president to meet at this stage. Putin 22 00:01:24,614 --> 00:01:27,494 Speaker 1: last week ruled out meeting Zelenski, saying conditions for such 23 00:01:27,534 --> 00:01:31,294 Speaker 1: an encounter were unfortunately still far from being met. Trump 24 00:01:31,294 --> 00:01:33,654 Speaker 1: said a potential deal to end the war would involve 25 00:01:33,694 --> 00:01:37,454 Speaker 1: some swapping of territories to the betterment of both. Zelenski 26 00:01:37,494 --> 00:01:40,854 Speaker 1: says any decisions taken without Ukraine, one that involves them 27 00:01:40,894 --> 00:01:45,414 Speaker 1: potentially being pressured to surrender land, will be stillborn and unworkable. 28 00:01:46,214 --> 00:01:48,974 Speaker 1: Australia looks to be gearing up to follow several major 29 00:01:49,014 --> 00:01:52,694 Speaker 1: Western powers in recognizing a Palestinian state at an upcoming 30 00:01:52,814 --> 00:01:56,494 Speaker 1: United Nations meeting. G seven nations, France, the UK and 31 00:01:56,534 --> 00:01:59,974 Speaker 1: Canada have committed to recognizing Palestine at the UN General 32 00:01:59,974 --> 00:02:03,974 Speaker 1: Assembly in September, with Australia looking increasingly set to join 33 00:02:04,014 --> 00:02:07,334 Speaker 1: them after a significant shift in rhetoric in recent weeks, 34 00:02:07,614 --> 00:02:10,534 Speaker 1: including a joint statement with several other nations where Foreign 35 00:02:10,574 --> 00:02:14,054 Speaker 1: Minister Pennywong said they were committed to implementing a two 36 00:02:14,134 --> 00:02:17,214 Speaker 1: state solution to ensure peace for both Israel and the 37 00:02:17,254 --> 00:02:21,334 Speaker 1: Palestinian People. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke also appeared on 38 00:02:21,374 --> 00:02:23,894 Speaker 1: Sunday to soften the government's stance on the future role 39 00:02:23,934 --> 00:02:27,774 Speaker 1: of Hamas, a listed terrorist organization in Australia in a 40 00:02:27,814 --> 00:02:32,174 Speaker 1: Palestinian state, saying terrorist forces had occupied other countries that 41 00:02:32,254 --> 00:02:37,254 Speaker 1: Australia continues to recognize, including Syria and Iraq. Meanwhile, Israeli 42 00:02:37,294 --> 00:02:40,414 Speaker 1: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanya who says he expects to complete 43 00:02:40,454 --> 00:02:44,334 Speaker 1: a new Gaza offensive fairly quickly. Speaking after his Security 44 00:02:44,374 --> 00:02:48,374 Speaker 1: Cabinet meeting on Friday, Netanya, who approved a much criticized 45 00:02:48,414 --> 00:02:51,454 Speaker 1: plan to take control of Gaza City, saying he had 46 00:02:51,494 --> 00:02:54,614 Speaker 1: no choice but to complete the job and defeat Hamas 47 00:02:54,654 --> 00:02:57,694 Speaker 1: to free hostages seized from Israel. He said the new 48 00:02:57,734 --> 00:03:01,294 Speaker 1: Gaza offensive aim to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds in 49 00:03:01,374 --> 00:03:04,214 Speaker 1: what he said was his only option because of the 50 00:03:04,254 --> 00:03:08,014 Speaker 1: Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas says 51 00:03:08,094 --> 00:03:11,294 Speaker 1: it will not disarm unless as an independent Palestinian state 52 00:03:11,454 --> 00:03:15,294 Speaker 1: is established. The Tasmanian Liberal government has announced it will 53 00:03:15,334 --> 00:03:18,534 Speaker 1: phase out greyhound racing by mid twenty twenty nine as 54 00:03:18,574 --> 00:03:21,254 Speaker 1: it works to shore up support from independence to remain 55 00:03:21,294 --> 00:03:24,054 Speaker 1: in power. The timing will coincide with the end of 56 00:03:24,054 --> 00:03:27,694 Speaker 1: a government funding agreement and make Tasmania the second jurisdiction 57 00:03:27,774 --> 00:03:31,494 Speaker 1: in Australia to stop the sport, the Act banning greyhound 58 00:03:31,574 --> 00:03:35,374 Speaker 1: racing in twenty eighteen. The decision comes after Raider's Guide 59 00:03:35,454 --> 00:03:38,694 Speaker 1: was euthanized in July after falling and breaking its neck 60 00:03:38,734 --> 00:03:41,414 Speaker 1: at a Lonzesten track. The four year old dog had 61 00:03:41,454 --> 00:03:44,414 Speaker 1: been named Greyhound of the Year in January after notching 62 00:03:44,494 --> 00:03:47,934 Speaker 1: seventeen wins in twenty twenty four. Other states are also 63 00:03:48,054 --> 00:03:51,414 Speaker 1: questioning the future of greyhound racing, with South Australia putting 64 00:03:51,454 --> 00:03:54,334 Speaker 1: the industry on notice after a damning report in twenty 65 00:03:54,374 --> 00:03:57,654 Speaker 1: twenty three, and New South Wales also awaiting findings of 66 00:03:57,694 --> 00:04:01,134 Speaker 1: the Drake Inquiry, along running probe into the sport following 67 00:04:01,134 --> 00:04:03,574 Speaker 1: the release of a report by the state industry body's 68 00:04:03,574 --> 00:04:07,894 Speaker 1: former chief vet that highlighted widespread animal welfare issues. One 69 00:04:07,934 --> 00:04:10,654 Speaker 1: of the state's best known venues, dough Dogs, will cease 70 00:04:10,694 --> 00:04:13,654 Speaker 1: operations in the coming year after nearly ninety years of 71 00:04:13,694 --> 00:04:17,414 Speaker 1: hosting races due to its lease expiring. Prince Harry is 72 00:04:17,454 --> 00:04:21,934 Speaker 1: reportedly considering starting a new humanitarian charity after a highly 73 00:04:21,974 --> 00:04:24,614 Speaker 1: publicized dispute saw him leave one he'd set up to 74 00:04:24,654 --> 00:04:26,734 Speaker 1: support the health and well being of young people in 75 00:04:26,814 --> 00:04:30,654 Speaker 1: Botswana and Lesotho. Harry stepped down as patron of Santa 76 00:04:30,694 --> 00:04:33,614 Speaker 1: Bal in March in support of the trustees who'd resigned 77 00:04:33,614 --> 00:04:37,574 Speaker 1: in opposition to board chairwoman doctor Sophie Chandouka, who'd leveled 78 00:04:37,614 --> 00:04:41,574 Speaker 1: accusations of bullying and harassment against The Royal Prince Seso 79 00:04:41,614 --> 00:04:44,654 Speaker 1: of Losotho, who co founded Santa Bal alongside the Duke 80 00:04:44,734 --> 00:04:47,334 Speaker 1: in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales in two thousand 81 00:04:47,374 --> 00:04:50,854 Speaker 1: and six, also stepped down as patron on Sunday. A 82 00:04:50,894 --> 00:04:54,174 Speaker 1: spokesperson for the Duke said he remains absolutely committed to 83 00:04:54,214 --> 00:04:57,574 Speaker 1: continuing the work he started supporting the children and young 84 00:04:57,614 --> 00:05:00,894 Speaker 1: people of Lostho and Botswana nearly twenty years ago. In 85 00:05:00,974 --> 00:05:03,934 Speaker 1: what form that support takes, he said, no decisions have 86 00:05:04,054 --> 00:05:07,174 Speaker 1: been made. The charity regulator said it found no evidence 87 00:05:07,174 --> 00:05:10,694 Speaker 1: of systemic bullying or harassment at the charity that acknowledge 88 00:05:10,734 --> 00:05:13,934 Speaker 1: the strong perception of ill treatment felt by some involved. 89 00:05:14,174 --> 00:05:17,774 Speaker 2: Thanks Claire next, What's going on with kids and bullying? 90 00:05:24,134 --> 00:05:26,454 Speaker 2: The phone rings and on the other end is a 91 00:05:26,494 --> 00:05:29,174 Speaker 2: ten year old who doesn't want to burden their already 92 00:05:29,174 --> 00:05:33,934 Speaker 2: stressed parents. They're being bullied at school. They sometimes don't 93 00:05:33,974 --> 00:05:36,334 Speaker 2: want to be here anymore, but mum and dad seem 94 00:05:36,454 --> 00:05:41,614 Speaker 2: so busy, so overwhelmed already, so they've chosen instead to 95 00:05:41,694 --> 00:05:46,934 Speaker 2: call a complete stranger. Scenarios like this are happening across 96 00:05:46,974 --> 00:05:50,734 Speaker 2: Australia with increasing regularity as the country grapples with the 97 00:05:50,734 --> 00:05:54,974 Speaker 2: modern bullying epidemic. Recent data from Kids Helpline shows a 98 00:05:55,054 --> 00:05:58,094 Speaker 2: rising proportion of calls are coming from children age ten 99 00:05:58,134 --> 00:06:01,854 Speaker 2: to fourteen who are experiencing bullying, with some younger than 100 00:06:02,014 --> 00:06:08,534 Speaker 2: ten experiencing suicidal thoughts. Surveys also showed around two thirds 101 00:06:08,534 --> 00:06:12,654 Speaker 2: of children aren't telling their parents when they're struggling, instead 102 00:06:12,774 --> 00:06:15,134 Speaker 2: preferring to reach out to a helpline. 103 00:06:15,454 --> 00:06:17,534 Speaker 3: We do hear, oh, I don't want to tell mum 104 00:06:17,574 --> 00:06:19,534 Speaker 3: and dad. I don't want them to stress out. They're 105 00:06:19,574 --> 00:06:22,494 Speaker 3: really busy and so it's not a matter of that 106 00:06:22,574 --> 00:06:24,974 Speaker 3: they don't think they could talk to mum and dad, 107 00:06:24,974 --> 00:06:27,254 Speaker 3: but they also see mom and dad are really stressed 108 00:06:27,414 --> 00:06:29,654 Speaker 3: and managing a lot, or there's other things going on 109 00:06:29,734 --> 00:06:30,654 Speaker 3: in the family. 110 00:06:31,094 --> 00:06:34,334 Speaker 2: That's Leo Hetty, the national manager of Kids Help Line. 111 00:06:34,534 --> 00:06:37,454 Speaker 2: He says when it comes to bullying, the themes younger 112 00:06:37,534 --> 00:06:41,174 Speaker 2: children discuss are not dissimilar to those raised by older kids. 113 00:06:41,654 --> 00:06:44,574 Speaker 3: The bullying is impacting them. It's whether it's the name calling, 114 00:06:44,694 --> 00:06:49,494 Speaker 3: isolation impacting them. It's causing anxiety, it's causing them not 115 00:06:49,534 --> 00:06:54,534 Speaker 3: wanting to attend school, sharing that they're feeling unsafe. They're 116 00:06:54,534 --> 00:06:56,854 Speaker 3: sharing that it can follow them home if they are 117 00:06:57,094 --> 00:07:00,214 Speaker 3: old enough to be on social media, and so there's 118 00:07:00,214 --> 00:07:02,334 Speaker 3: a whole mix of things that we're hearing from the 119 00:07:02,374 --> 00:07:02,934 Speaker 3: young kids. 120 00:07:03,814 --> 00:07:06,214 Speaker 2: The calls that really stick with him are when children 121 00:07:06,254 --> 00:07:09,894 Speaker 2: feel especially powerless, when they've reached out to a to 122 00:07:09,974 --> 00:07:13,414 Speaker 2: help or spoken to their parents and nothing it's changed. 123 00:07:13,894 --> 00:07:17,174 Speaker 2: He says, these kids are aware of the complexities of bullying, 124 00:07:17,534 --> 00:07:20,094 Speaker 2: that it's not easy for the school to just tell 125 00:07:20,134 --> 00:07:20,894 Speaker 2: them to stop. 126 00:07:21,254 --> 00:07:25,334 Speaker 3: That sense of powerless that than they have their understanding 127 00:07:25,654 --> 00:07:28,974 Speaker 3: of the complexities of bullying is not easy just through 128 00:07:29,174 --> 00:07:31,494 Speaker 3: a school to suddenly tell a bully to stop, and 129 00:07:31,774 --> 00:07:34,694 Speaker 3: the sense of wow, maybe no one is here to 130 00:07:34,894 --> 00:07:37,374 Speaker 3: help me and I'm on my own with this, so 131 00:07:37,734 --> 00:07:41,414 Speaker 3: that's hard, and knowing that they're calling through to a helpline. 132 00:07:41,414 --> 00:07:43,814 Speaker 3: I'm glad we're here for them, and that's why we're here. 133 00:07:44,134 --> 00:07:46,694 Speaker 3: But that sense that they haven't felt able to get 134 00:07:46,734 --> 00:07:48,934 Speaker 3: this help in their life, or they haven't been able 135 00:07:48,974 --> 00:07:50,934 Speaker 3: to make that connection and feel that it's going to 136 00:07:50,934 --> 00:07:54,174 Speaker 3: actually change, So they're calling a random stranger on a 137 00:07:54,214 --> 00:07:55,614 Speaker 3: helpline asking for help. 138 00:07:57,054 --> 00:07:59,334 Speaker 2: So what happens when a child picks up the phone 139 00:07:59,334 --> 00:08:02,974 Speaker 2: and calls for help? First priority for the helpline operators 140 00:08:03,094 --> 00:08:05,614 Speaker 2: is to really tune into the emotions the child is 141 00:08:05,654 --> 00:08:08,854 Speaker 2: feeling in the moment. It's not always a clear cutcase 142 00:08:08,854 --> 00:08:12,854 Speaker 2: of bullying from the start. Often these conversations begin with 143 00:08:13,014 --> 00:08:17,574 Speaker 2: feelings sadness, loneliness, or a sense of being disconnected from friends. 144 00:08:18,414 --> 00:08:21,654 Speaker 2: As the chat unfolds, it becomes clearer that bullying might 145 00:08:21,694 --> 00:08:24,894 Speaker 2: be one of the issues beneath the surface. Once that 146 00:08:24,974 --> 00:08:27,614 Speaker 2: picture starts to take shape, the focus shifts to action. 147 00:08:28,214 --> 00:08:32,094 Speaker 2: Operators gently guide children through practical steps like how to 148 00:08:32,134 --> 00:08:35,294 Speaker 2: express what's happening to a trusted adult at school or 149 00:08:35,334 --> 00:08:38,814 Speaker 2: at home. Speaking of home, Leo says it's important for 150 00:08:38,854 --> 00:08:41,694 Speaker 2: parents to keep space open for these conversations to flow 151 00:08:41,774 --> 00:08:43,614 Speaker 2: naturally in a safe environment. 152 00:08:44,334 --> 00:08:48,094 Speaker 3: Parents to really keep that communication open and ensuring that 153 00:08:48,134 --> 00:08:50,854 Speaker 3: you're making space be kids to feel safe enough to 154 00:08:51,014 --> 00:08:51,654 Speaker 3: connect with you. 155 00:08:52,894 --> 00:08:55,494 Speaker 2: Now, that might be easier said than done, So how 156 00:08:55,534 --> 00:08:58,774 Speaker 2: do you create that safe space for conversation with your child? 157 00:08:59,854 --> 00:09:03,774 Speaker 2: Manager of parenting support service Parentline, Kim Harper says it 158 00:09:03,854 --> 00:09:07,854 Speaker 2: starts with resisting that instant urge to fix things. When 159 00:09:07,894 --> 00:09:11,214 Speaker 2: something's wrong, Parents naturally want to step in, take control 160 00:09:11,254 --> 00:09:15,014 Speaker 2: and solve the problem. But that instinct, while well meaning, 161 00:09:15,214 --> 00:09:17,334 Speaker 2: can sometimes get in the way of what a child 162 00:09:17,494 --> 00:09:21,774 Speaker 2: actually needs in the moment. What they need first is 163 00:09:21,814 --> 00:09:26,854 Speaker 2: to be heard. Kim says, slowing things down, staying calm, 164 00:09:27,014 --> 00:09:31,334 Speaker 2: and being emotionally present is key. It's about being that steady, 165 00:09:31,454 --> 00:09:35,254 Speaker 2: reliable teammate in your child's life, someone who can listen 166 00:09:35,294 --> 00:09:39,774 Speaker 2: without judgment, interruption, or rushing to action. As Leo said, 167 00:09:39,894 --> 00:09:43,334 Speaker 2: kids notice their parents' reactions too. When a child opens 168 00:09:43,414 --> 00:09:46,534 Speaker 2: up for even a well intentioned but strong emotional response 169 00:09:46,614 --> 00:09:49,814 Speaker 2: can shut the conversation down. They might see a parent's 170 00:09:49,814 --> 00:09:52,294 Speaker 2: fear or anger and feel like they need to protect 171 00:09:52,334 --> 00:09:55,694 Speaker 2: them rather than share. More So, while it can be hard, 172 00:09:56,054 --> 00:09:59,494 Speaker 2: especially when you're feeling worried or even powerless, stepping back 173 00:09:59,534 --> 00:10:02,574 Speaker 2: a little can actually help your child feel more empowered. 174 00:10:03,374 --> 00:10:05,774 Speaker 2: In the end, it's all about creating a safe space 175 00:10:05,814 --> 00:10:09,214 Speaker 2: where they feel seen, heard and supported at their own 176 00:10:09,294 --> 00:10:13,214 Speaker 2: pain Leo says, one of the key reminders is to 177 00:10:13,294 --> 00:10:16,734 Speaker 2: be mindful of the emotional tone you set at home, 178 00:10:17,094 --> 00:10:20,254 Speaker 2: because kids are constantly picking up on how the adults 179 00:10:20,294 --> 00:10:24,414 Speaker 2: around them respond to stress, conflict and communication. 180 00:10:25,334 --> 00:10:29,014 Speaker 3: Kids are sponges for everything that adults do around them, 181 00:10:29,214 --> 00:10:32,454 Speaker 3: and yeah, we've got to be very aware of our 182 00:10:32,494 --> 00:10:36,374 Speaker 3: own actions and how that may influence our kids, particularly 183 00:10:36,414 --> 00:10:39,254 Speaker 3: regarding in the language we use about others or our 184 00:10:39,334 --> 00:10:41,054 Speaker 3: own reactions to things. 185 00:10:42,374 --> 00:10:44,654 Speaker 2: Thanks for taking some time to feed your mind with 186 00:10:44,734 --> 00:10:47,374 Speaker 2: us today. Hey, if you or anyone you know needs 187 00:10:47,414 --> 00:10:50,094 Speaker 2: to speak with an expert, you can contact Lifeline on 188 00:10:50,214 --> 00:10:54,414 Speaker 2: thirteen eleven fourteen. Kids Helpline are also available on one 189 00:10:54,494 --> 00:10:58,534 Speaker 2: eight hundred five five one eight hundred or parent Line 190 00:10:58,574 --> 00:11:02,534 Speaker 2: on one three hundred one three hundred five two. I'll 191 00:11:02,534 --> 00:11:05,214 Speaker 2: also put all of this information in our show notes. 192 00:11:06,094 --> 00:11:09,494 Speaker 2: The Quickie is produced by me Taylor Strano and Clair Murphy, 193 00:11:09,734 --> 00:11:11,734 Speaker 2: with audio production by Lou Hill.