The World Rallies Around 9-Year-Old Bullying Victim Quaden Bayles
"We stand with you"
- by
Grace Back
The relentless bullying of a nine-year-old Indigenous boy has prompted a global show of support, as well as a global fundraising effort.
Watch Below: Constance Hall addresses online bullying
Quaden Bayles' mother Yarraka posted a video on social media of her son crying in the car after school after he had been bullied - which has since gone viral. In the video, Quaden says he wants to take his own life, and Yarraka, speaking to NITV, said it was not the first time he had told her. NITV identifies Quaden as a Murri boy born with Achondroplasia, which is the most common form of dwarfism.
People from around the world have been rallying around Quaden and a GoFundMe page was launched by comedian Brad Williams to send him Yarraka to Disneyland. The page had a goal of $10,000, but it has already surpassed $100,000.
Hugh Jackman leads just many of the celebrity tributes on Twitter. The NRL All Stars team asked Quaden to lead them onto the field on the Gold Coast at a game on Saturday night. The hashtag #StopBullying was also trending on Twitter, with incredible messages of support sent to Quaden and other sufferings through bullying.
Grace Back
Grace is our Digital News and Entertainment Editor. When not stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll, you'll find Grace with her head in a good book.
