Bullycide case in Melbourne
Elijah’s story has prompted a family whose bullied son committed suicide to tell their story:
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/06/14/15041_news.html
Bullying in the News - Elijah Vetma
A 12 year old Geelong boy with Asperger’s and Tourettes Syndrome has made a public plea hoping to stem the tide of bullying he has suffered from for years at school.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/06/07/14799_news.html
The newspaper story contains a link to Elijah’s video message.
Elijah’s letter was discussed on the Sunrise show
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=1341467&cl=8244876&src=y7lifestyle&ch=
Michael Carr-Gregg, psychologist and expert on bullying, was interviewed for the segment and talked about bullying as a major public health problem in Australia and suggests homeschooling as one possible solution. He states that 42% of Australian Year 7 students feel unsafe at school.
Bullying: The Daily Grind
By Susan Wight
During the holidays Marie Bentham cried as she told her family of the relentless bullying she had endured at school. It was not the first time Marie had suffered in this way and her concerned mother had already contacted the school which had followed its bullying policy and fully investigated the incidents. The bullying had not stopped. The day before school was to resume, Marie flatly refused to go back. Her mother was unsure how to deal with the situation and sent Marie to bed convinced that children must go to school. Eight-year-old Marie Bentham strangled herself with her skipping rope that night - it was her only way to ensure she would never have to face those bullies again.