Author Nadia L King and headspace Armadale team up for National Day Against Bullying and Violence

AUTHOR Nadia L King and headspace Armadale have teamed up to tackle issues affecting young people for National Day Against Bullying and Violence on March 17.

King’s first novel Jenna’s Truthwas about a teenager navigating the perils of cyberbullying, teen drinking, sex and suicide.

The author was inspired by the suicide of Canadian teenager Amanda Todd, who prior to her death uploaded a video about the abuse and bullying she had endured after a topless photo she took on a webcam was shared online.

“I remember my kids showed me the video and I was so shocked; is this what young people actually go through?” she said.

She said it was a problem when suicide was a leading cause of death among people.

“When it’s the second largest reason for death in young people then we really need to look at why this is happening,” she said.

King said when she was growing up bullying was more “get pushed into the hedge and get back on your feet kind of stuff”.

“Young people today, they can’t escape; it used to be when you were bullied it was on the way to or from school and you could escape it at home, to a safe place.

“Cyberbullying keeps going at home, even while you’re asleep.”

The novel was published by Aulexic, a publisher that creates texts with features to help readers with dyslexia and language difficulties.

“Something like 80 per cent of children with dyslexia are bullied,” she said.

King wrote Jenna’s Truth as a school text.

“There’s a section at the back with curriculum suggestions for Years 9 and 10 and discussion questions,” she said.

City of Armadale approached King to hold a talk about her experience researching and writing the book.

Headspace Armadale will be on hand to answer questions and connect interested participants with community support.

For more information and bookings visit https://www.armadale.wa.gov.au/events/harmony-week-author-nadia-l-king or contact Armadale Library on (08) 9394 5125.