In a world where social media often showcases the highlight reels of life, it's a sobering moment when someone shares a deeply personal and painful experience.

A well-known Australian television personality has recently taken to social media with a heartfelt message that has touched many.

The emotional post highlights a personal struggle and has sparked an outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities alike.

The TV host's candid plea has struck a chord, drawing attention to a deeply affecting issue that resonates with many.

Barry Du Bois, a veteran presenter known for his warmth and charisma on screen, shared a side of his life that many were unaware of.

The father of twins Bennett and Arabella, whom he shares with his wife Leonie after their marriage in 1999, opened up about a struggle that is all too familiar for many families: bullying.

In a candid and emotional social media post, Barry revealed the heartache he felt as he watched his 12-year-old daughter Arabella leave the safety of their home to face the challenges of school—a place where she should feel secure but instead is confronted with the harsh reality of bullying.

Beloved TV presenter Barry Du Bois publicly pleaded for help after revealing his daughter Arabella is being bullied at school. Credit: Instagram / Barry Du Bois

‘I just watched my little girl walk out the gate of our home, a place where I know she is safe and feels a sense of security and belonging,’ Barry wrote.

'She is heading to a place that doesn't offer that same security, her school. As a parent, I'm supposed to protect and guide her through difficult times, but this morning, I am lost.’

‘Yesterday, Arabella came home from school claiming she was sick. This isn’t the first time it has happened. She wasn’t actually sick but is instead being bullied again,’ he continued.

Du Bois then encouraged his followers to share suggestions on how he could support his daughter during her distress.

‘What do you say to a child when you've already said, “Don't let them upset you. Just keep being kind. You are not the horrible things they say.”?’ he asked his followers, seeking advice and support.

‘She said, “I don’t want to be special; I just want to be liked,”’ the TV personality narrated, highlighting the simple yet profound desire of children to be accepted by their peers.

Barry's admission of feeling ‘weak, angry, confused and a little fearful’ is a powerful reminder that even the strongest among us can feel vulnerable when it comes to the well-being of our loved ones.

The response to Barry's plea was immediate and supportive, with celebrities and fans alike offering words of encouragement and advice.

‘My mate sent his daughter to Jiu Jitsu after being bullied. She fell in love with it and gained another level of confidence,’ Tim Robards, star of The Bachelor Australia, suggested.

‘Sometimes, you’ve just got to go up to the parents and say, “Your kid bullies mine”,’ Married At First Sight’s Ryan Gallagher advised.

Bullying in Australian schools is a significant issue, with a 2020 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report indicating that the country has some of the highest rates of bullying in the world.

This statistic is a stark reminder that more needs to be done to ensure the safety and emotional well-being of students.

Earlier in the year, Barry expressed his deepest fear on The Good Enough Dad podcast.

‘OK, so we all have really big fears and worries (about parenting),’ parenting author Maggie Dent said.

‘Is there one fear that you hold about, you know, parenting and raising your children?’

Du Bois responded, ‘Not parenting…the only fear I have is not being here for them if they need me.’

Key Takeaways

• Beloved Aussie TV presenter Barry Du Bois made a public plea on social media regarding his 12-year-old daughter Arabella being bullied at school.
• Du Bois expressed his feelings of powerlessness and fear as a parent, unable to protect her from the harshness she faces away from home.
• He sought advice from his followers on how to support his daughter through the bullying, revealing the impact it's having on her self-esteem and sense of security.
• Celebrities responded with suggestions, and the article highlighted that Australian schools have some of the highest bullying rates, according to a 2020 OECD report.

We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Have you or your loved ones faced similar challenges? What advice would you give to Barry and other parents in this situation? Your insights could be a beacon of hope for someone feeling lost in the darkness of a difficult time.

 

[Witty]

I agree with the comment to tell the bullies parents that their child is a bully. It is high time that schools stopped protecting bullies. Bullies need to have some consequences for their behaviour - name and shame. Call their parents to the school and get them to understand what their child is responsible for. I always remember the news report of the boy who had been bullied too much and he just picked up the bully and threw him on the ground. All filmed by the bully's friends. Hope your daughter does well in the future - best of luck.

 

[Dynamo]

I agree with the comment to tell the bullies parents that their child is a bully. It is high time that schools stopped protecting bullies. Bullies need to have some consequences for their behaviour - name and shame. Call their parents to the school and get them to understand what their child is responsible for. I always remember the news report of the boy who had been bullied too much and he just picked up the bully and threw him on the ground. All filmed by the bully's friends. Hope your daughter does well in the future - best of luck.

I have no words after seeing 2 of my family bullied. Sometimes a teacher is able to help in a subtle way. Confrontation seems to worsen situation.

 

[MariaG]

The most distressing bullying that I have witnessed over the years happened this way :

My niece lost her husband to cancer when her 2 children were 8 years and 4 years old.
My grand nephew has always been an outgoing and creative child who has always had a close circle of mates, which makes this even more unbelievable.
Unfortunately, a couple of boys at the school decided it would be fun to taunt my dear little boy about the fact that his dad had died. The specifics of the bullying were heart rending. The things they said to him could only be as a result of a flawed upbringing, for whatever reason.
Well, my niece was not only mortified when she found out, but was also extremely angry.
So, down she went to the school and demanded those boys be outed, reprimanded and the parents brought in for the same.
The principal did not hesitate for a moment.
He did do exactly that and went one step further. He asked my niece if she wanted to talk to the boys and their parents. She did.
Not only that, she was given the opportunity to speak at school assembly if she wished. She did.
I went with her to that assembly and it brought tears to my eyes when I heard her speak about the bullying her boy was suffering and what it was like for the family to lose their daddy.
My nephew is now 25 years old. He remembers less about the bullying and much more about how it was handled. He will always remember his mum stepping up for him.

 

[magpie1]

A lot more needs to be done in this regard at schools....the tragic stories of late about two young girls who took their own lives because of bullying at school is beyond any parents worse nightmare...Schools must do more in cracking down on this behavior and encourage students to come forward and report the actions of these horrible bullies. Maybe with more reports being made, this despicable action can be discouraged and hopefully bring about a change in students behavior toward one another. We can only pray for change by the students and the Schools intolerance to bullying.

 

[Leodalion63]

Bullying shreds your self esteem, always looking over your shoulder.
If I could have my time again .. I put myself and my children to learn self defence.
Any sort of self defence. I think it would've build up self esteem, confidence, courage , no longer looking over your shoulder. Sadly bullying doesn't stop when your a young child, it follows you into adulthood . Learning self defence is the key towards the positive. Once they learned you are doing self defence, the table would turn onto them. Cause they won't know how you will react by having the confidence in smacking them in the mouth when they start bullying you. I have witness the positive side learning self defence then facing your bullies.
It may not be something you don't want to do to learn self defence, believe me when I say it will be the best positive thing in your life, if you don't want to be bullied no more.
I am now looking into learning self defence for seniors with a disability. I too need to build up my self esteem.
I really hope Barrys daughter finds something to help to improve her life.

 

[Iris]

My daughter was also bullied when at primary school. I First approached the bully, when that didn't work I approached his parents, threatening legal action. Was this the correct way to go, I don't know, but it worked. Mind you this was 40 years ago.

 

[Leodalion63]

My oldest son was being bullied . He was in grade 1, the bully in grade 6. I went and spoke to the principal. I got from him well it's a kids thing. I approach his teacher. His teacher was more on board than the principal. I knew she would do her best when on outside lunch duty.
Months went by and the bully was being a bully still. I approached him and tried to talk to him but he just laugh and bare his backside to me and ran off.
I was worried then I may have made it worse for my son.
I approach the principal next morning and told him hat I had done and what I got from the bully. Well I couldn't believe what he reaction was about the kid baring his backside . He was more outrage about that. I was so angry with him because he was more concern for the reputation of his job and school. Nothing about duty of care for the students.
By the end of the day the bully got ridiculed in front of his class by his teacher. Everyone in the school knew what he did. When he got home his mum was already waiting for him with the belt . He got such a hiding . But nothing was said or done about his bullying to my son. It was all about him baring his back side to me. I didn't care about me . I just wanted the bullying to stop.
Eventually it did stop when the reason why was dealt with talking with another student at the school. The bully realised he got it all wrong about my family and seen we were the same as his family. Still thoroughly disgusted with the principal.