Papua New Guinea Cultural Association NSW Inc. | Other

Papua New Guinea Cultural Association NSW Inc.

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17.02.2022 "We are not drowning, we are fighting!" Listen to her powerful words below Brianna Fruean spoke at the #COP26 Leaders Summit today sharing an important m...essage to world leaders. "How each word you use is weighted, how switching one word or number could reframe worlds, how climate action can be vastly different from climate justice, how 2 degrees could mean the end, and 1.5 could mean a fighting chance. You all have the power today to be better!" #HaveYourSei #Youth4Pacific

11.02.2022 14-year-old Kara Nasilasila was sitting on her bed scrolling through her phone when it lit up with a notification. Two videos had been uploaded on social media ...attacking her Fijian heritage with racist slurs and comparing her to a gorilla. "I got really upset about it." "I just turned my phone off for a bit and laid in bed and felt really sad and kind of embarrassed about it," she said. One video uploaded to Tik Tok shows a fellow school student dancing to music with the caption "Kara' and "gorilla". Another video showing a teenage boy Kara had never met calling her racial slur and comparing her to a burnt sausage. Kara, a year 9 student at Wonthaggi Secondary College on Victoria's Bass Coast, said the online bullying had spilled over from school and her local football club. "It's an everyday thing now, everyday I will go to school and get I'll get like something said to be about my skin colour or my race,' she said. In a statement Wonthaggi Secondary College said the school "prides itself on its strong wellbeing support for students experiencing challenges that affect their learning and wellbeing. Each response is targeted to an individual student's needs." Kara's mum Felicity Mazur has seen her daughter struggle being racially bullied for years and when she was shown the videos she was horrified. "My mind was blown, I actually had rage because she's just put up with it for so long and to see those videos I felt sick," she said. Ms Mazur said she has been raising the alarm on this bullying for a long time but felt that no one was listening. When the videos surfaced she decided to take further action by uploading a post about them onto a local Facebook community group and reporting them to the school and local police. Victoria Police said it is aware of Kara's situation and is currently investigating whether a criminal offence has occurred. Sport Support Ms Mazur said after posting Facebook she and Kara have been overwhelmed by support from the community but was astounded when the AFL reached out a helping hand. At the start of the year Kara joined her local football team the Phillip Island Bulldogs. "I was really happy that I joined this year," she said. "It's one of the good things in my life that I like to do." However the bullying followed her onto the footy field with a fellow teammate sending her racist voice notes over Snapchat. When AFL Victoria were made aware of this they stepped in to offer Kara and her family wellbeing support saying they condemn vilification at all levels of the game. "They're asking me if I'm okay, they are there if I need them I've been really grateful because I had no clue they contacted mum about it and I found out and I was so happy," Kara said. Felicity Mazur said AFL Victoria have offered Kara counselling sessions with a local psychology clinic. Phillip Island Bulldogs Football and Netball Club President Chris Ross said the club stands by Kara and has offered mediation between those involved. "It's just not on, I just find it repulsive," he said. Mr Ross said he plans to have an education night for the club once the police investigation has concluded. Fijian community calls it out When Felicity Mazur posted on Facebook about how her daughter had been attacked she was overwhelmed by the support her family received - especially from the global Fijian community. Luisa Seviua, a registered nurse living in Melbourne, posted her support for Kara on Twitter. "It's frustrating that in 2021 that kids are still going through that, especially from coming from eithnic minorities like ours," she said. President of Victoria's Fijian Community Association Sylvia Coombe said this was not the first time a young Fijian in the state had been abused. "We did have one case involving a Fijian youth last year as parents we would like to think our youth are resilient but I hate to think about the other similar incidents that may have occurred with our youth that we haven't heard about," Ms Coombe said. Victoria's Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Ro Allen heard about Kara's situation and said the commission has also reached out to the family. "It's not lawful to discriminate against people because of their racial background," they said. "There is support and you can get help and it's important that you tell people what is happening," they said told Pacific Beat. Victoria's anti-bullying legislation means serious bullying, including cyberbullying, is a crime that carries a penalty of a maximum 10 years in jail. With restrictions lifted in Victoria, Kara has been nervous but with all the support, empowered, to head back to school and the football field and is hoping that by speaking out her story will help others to do the same. "Just because they say one word about your skin colour doesn't mean it's ok, it's still a problem," she said. "Make sure your voice is heard."