Karate kid fights back on bullying

Victorian kids are taking up martial arts in record numbers in a bid to combat bullying.

Research shows 86 per cent of Australian students have witnessed bullying and 72 per cent have been bullied themselves, according to bullying prevention agency Bully Zero.

Melbourne dojo The Winged Dragon Martial & Healing Arts has experienced a spike in student enrolments as families flock to the sport.

Head instructor sensei Lucky Pandelidis, who has more than 40 years of experience in martial arts, said enrolments had grown from just 40 students to more than 300 – a whopping 650 per cent increase over the past 10 years.

Sensei Pandelidis said many families cited schoolyard and online bullying as reasons for enrolling their kids in martial arts.

“Karate is not just about fighting with your fists – it’s about building strength, courage, resilience and learning how to assert yourself if a confronting situation arises,” he said.

“We hear from families every day – some with children as young as four years of age – who are enrolling in karate because they have experienced bullying first-hand or have witnessed someone else being targeted.

“Children of all ages need the skills to combat this situation.”

Black belt martial arts student Aydin said he enrolled in karate to learn more about self-defence and to get fit.

“It’s a great way to get fit and strong and learn life skills along the way,” he said.

Black belt instructor Pauline said many children were enrolling in karate after witnessing or experiencing bullying.

“We get a lot of children enrolling for that reason,” she said. “They gain focus, discipline and confidence through karate.”

The Victorian Department of Education claims it promotes a “zero tolerance” approach to bullying. Parents and experts say the current measures to address bullying don’t go far enough and more action is needed.

Clinical psychologist Andy Prodromidis said bullying was a serious issue and educating and empowering children was essential.

“Children need to feel empowered and heard if they raise concerns or worries in relation to bullying,” he said. “Open and honest communication is essential.”

Parents said social media had opened up a new platform for bullying and anti-social behaviour and this was concerning.

Research from the National Mental Health Foundation found nearly 50 per cent of young people in Australia reported a negative experience online in the past six months.

The family of Australian teenager Amy Jayne “Dolly” Everett, who killed herself in 2018 after suffering online bullying, said the consequences were devastating.

Dolly’s family launched the charity Dolly’s Dream to honour her memory and “create a kinder and safer world” for Australian kids.

Sensei Pandelidis said while every family’s approach to taking a stand against bullying was different, action was critical.

“Timing and action are everything,” he said.