Page 299 - Week 01 - Thursday, 14 February 2019
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supportive friends and other family members. Reassure them that they will not lose access to the internet or their phones just because they have opened up about a problem. Report instances of cyberbullying to the online service provider, and remember that you can ask for content to be removed. Serious cyberbullying can be reported to the eSafety Commissioner via an online complaints form. This website also has a link to the Kids Helpline, which provides online or phone support 24 hours per day. When the issue involves other students, parents should also speak to the school principal.
There are also important steps that parents and carers can take to help keep kids safe in the first place. These include talking with children about cyberbullying before it occurs; establishing guidelines for technology use at home; monitoring usage of the internet and mobile phones without being too controlling; developing a good relationship with a child’s school; and building a child’s resilience and self-esteem.
In many ways, this is the best of times and the worst of times for our children. The sum of the world’s knowledge is at their fingertips, but this means that hurtful words and harmful images can be too. I encourage all parents and carers in the ACT to learn more about cyberbullying and do all the right things they can to help keep their precious children safe. I have confidence that we can do this.
Bosom Buddies ACT
MISS C BURCH (Kurrajong) (5.00): There are many great local charities doing some fantastic work across our city, and today I would like to acknowledge the amazing work of Bosom Buddies ACT. Bosom Buddies is a local charity organisation that seeks to provide support to women who are battling breast cancer. Founded in 1995, the organisation is run by committed volunteers who have either fought breast cancer themselves or have supported others who have. Bosom Buddies’ key approach to support is to provide a volunteer “buddy” to women who have recently been diagnosed, and their families, establishing social support networks for these women and ensuring consistent contact with those most affected.
These support networks and buddy partnerships are empowering and invaluable for women facing such a diagnosis. Through nurturing a culture of inclusion between women who are facing shared experiences to fostering hope and personal support, the impact of Bosom Buddies in the ACT is significant.
Another key component of their work is raising community awareness about breast cancer. Early detection is so important, and knowing how to do that, how regularly to check and what to do if you feel something is crucial. Bosom Buddies has fantastic educational material available on its website and also distributes pamphlets and other materials.
Canberra law firm Meyer Vandenberg is hosting a second-hand corporate clothing sale today and tomorrow, with all proceeds from the sale of donated clothing going to Bosom Buddies. Last night I had the privilege of attending the launch and presale event, and I would like to congratulate Kirsty and her team on their huge effort in organising the sale and collecting and sorting the clothing. Capitalising on the recent
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