Teenagers won’t be shamed on ABC series The Bully Project hosted by Ian Thorpe

TEENS won’t be shamed on a controversial new ABC factual series, The Bully Project, which will provide counselling for victims who agree to feature.

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EXCLUSIVE

ABC management have changed the format for its new factual series, The Bully Project, to protect the identity of young bullies and provide 12 months free counselling for their victims who agree to feature in the controversial, three-part special.

Based on a Dutch format, which has also been adapted for UK television by Jamie Oliver, the documentary-style series to be hosted by Ian Thorpe will follow a number of bullied teens, who will carry concealed cameras in a backpack to film the physical violence and abuse they endure each day.

The secret footage will then be played back to parents, siblings, teachers and other students to highlight the real impact and damage being done by the anti-social and sometimes, criminal behaviour.

But the confronting images proved too much for one school in Holland, which successfully sued producers to prevent broadcast of the covert video, exposing their students acting out.

Dutch presenter John Del Mol (left) shows the family of student Jordy secret footage of their son being bullied at school, from the series, Project P. Picture: Supplied

A teenage girl who is the subject of bullying is comforted by Project P presenter John Del Mol. Picture: Supplied

Richard Finlayson, ABC’s head of television, said the producers of the Australian version would follow strict protocols around identification — pixelating the faces or distorting the voices of those captured on surveillance cameras.

Two psychologists, including one on air, will also feature in the local series to “help explain to the audience and also the host what everyone [in each case study] is going through, both in terms of their emotional response and transformation.”

The program will partner with Reach Out, an online mental health service for young people, which offers support to 120,000 young people across Australia each month.

Their statistics show one in four young people will experience bullying; and in 80 per cent of cases there’s generally someone watching, someone in a position to intervene.

Jonathon Nicholas, Reach Out’s chief executive said he was satisfied there were structures in place to support any child appearing on the program.

“The intent of the show is not about shaming, not simply about the voyeurism of watching bad things happen and there is a focus on resolution. With Ian [Thorpe] being involved, he’s a very compassionate person as well, that gave us greater confidence.”

Former Olympic swim star Ian Thorpe will host the ABC’s version of The Bully Project to air later this year. Picture: Richard Dobson

In April, the counselling service is set to provide resources and programs specifically for parents, struggling to help their vulnerable kids manage difficulties better.

“We have to remember [young people] are learning to deal with conflict in an adult way. Your teenage years are a time of learning that involves mistakes, and inappropriate behaviour. Certainly we can all remember a time we wished we hadn’t engaged in a particular behaviour. I’m hopeful we can all take a step back and say that behaviour isn’t acceptable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that [teen] isn’t a good person,” Mr Nicholas said.

The show’s commissioning editor, Steve Bibb, said people who have approached similar programs “come to the show at their wit’s end looking for help.”

“The schools are trying really hard and are doing their best under difficult circumstances sometimes. A lot of it doesn’t just happen right in front of teachers ... the point of this is to show it’s possible across the spectrum. At bus stops, on train stations, might be at shopping malls, at sporting events, in sporting clubs, and we know it’s happening online, with cyber-bullying ... wherever kids are being bullied we hope to show it.’

* For those Queensland teens, aged 14+ or their parents interested in participating in The Bully Project, go to: www.stopbullying.tv

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