The Point interviews Quaden Bayles

Bullied Murri boy Quaden Bayles, who achieved global attention when a video recently went viral, has given an interview to NITV’s The Point.

The interview was recorded yesterday and is understood to be the only interview his mother will be doing.

The Point Special: Quaden Bayles Interview follows The Point, 9:30pm Wednesday on NITV.

The Point has secured the first sit-down television interview with nine-year-old bullied Murri boy, Quaden Bayles, and his mother Yarraka to air in a special edition program – The Point: The Bayles Family Respond – tonight (Wednesday March 4) at 9.30pm on NITV.

Speaking for the first time since the post incited backlash and online hate and to give the whole picture from their perspectives, Jodan Perry sits down with Yarraka, Quaden and his older sister Guyala to reflect on a whirlwind fortnight and their desire to put the focus back on the issues that matter most to them and their community: bullying, youth suicide and the plight of Australia’s First Peoples.

When Yarraka shared a video to Facebook on February 19 showing the aftermath of a bullying incident involving her son, who was born with Achondroplasia (a form of Dwarfism that impacts his mobility and learning abilities), she was not prepared for the global media storm and the backlash that followed.

Within days, the video had garnered millions of views and was making headlines not only across the country but around the world. After a gofundme page started up by a US comedian raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to send Quaden to Disneyland, the family declined the trip as they wanted the funds to go to charities focused on helping individuals affected by bullying and discrimination.

During the 30-minute special, Yarraka reveals what was going through her mind when she made the heartbreaking video, including the confronting moment that shows Quaden saying he wanted to take his own life. “At that time of recording, I just felt hopeless,” she tells Jodan. “I felt really and truly hopeless. Like, what is it going to take for me to lose my son before anything happens? I can’t do that. I’m not going to wait.”

Yarraka pleads for concerted action, involving education programs and new laws, to stop bullying. She’s been working on a comprehensive package, focused on building emotional resilience and working with those who demonstrate traits and patterns of bullying. Tentatively titled Quaden’s Law, Yarraka wants it to be mandated under state and national school curriculum.

Since the post went viral, the family have declined numerous interview requests from around the world. The family have a long and trusted association with NITV, having first shared Quaden’s story with Living Black in 2015 when Quaden was only four-years-old.

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14, visit lifeline.org.au or find an Aboriginal Medical Service here. Resources for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders can be found at Headspace: Yarn Safe.