Victorian parents Damian and Rae Panlock of Brodie’s Law support family of Libby Bell who died amid bullying claims
THE father behind anti-bullying laws in Victoria has reached out to the Bell family as he called for similar legislation to be introduced in South Australia.
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A GRIEVING father who successfully pushed for tough anti-bullying laws in Victoria has reached out to Libby Bell’s family as he called for similar changes to be introduced in South Australia.
Damian Panlock, whose 19-year-old daughter Brodie took her own life in 2006 after being subjected to ongoing bullying, has backed calls from SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens to push for changes similar to Brodie’s Law — which came into effect in Victoria in 2011.
In the wake of the tragic death of Seaford Secondary College student Libby, 13, Mr Stevens yesterday conceded changes to legislation could make it easier to prosecute cases of long-running harassment.
Mr Panlock, alongside his wife Rae, fought for five years before Brodie’s Law passed Victorian parliament, making serious bullying a crime punishable by up to 10 years in jail.
He said if Libby’s family wished to push for law changes in SA, it could lead to a lasting legacy to come from her death.
“(Bullying) is not right, it’s not OK as we all know,” he said. Mr Panlock said the anguish of losing Brodie “doesn’t go away”.
“It took us over three years to find out why,” he said.
“(Libby’s parents) are not alone in this ... They need to look after their family right now.”
Brodie Panlock, a 19-year-old waitress at a Melbourne cafe, ended her life after enduring ongoing bullying by her co-workers.
Almost 60 people have been charged under Brodie’s Law in Victoria in the past five years. Mr Panlock advised victims and bystanders to speak to someone they can trust if they witness abuse.
“Always have someone you can talk to,” he said.
“If you see someone going through problems with other people, if you don’t feel confident to do something there and then, go talk to someone as soon as possible.
“That’s what Brodie did, she spoke to her friends but they couldn’t help, she spoke to her boss but it was shoved to the back, they didn’t care.”
Mr Stevens said South Australia could introduce a similar law to Brodie’s Law.
“If you’re talking about this constant attack of very low level criticisms or sniping or just continual negative focus, finding that line where we say an offence has been committed can be really hard,” Mr Stevens told the ABC.
“I think it (legislation like Brodie’s Law) is something we should have a look at just to see whether that covers off on a gap that might exist in terms of us being able to prove a criminal offence.”
Opposition justice spokeswoman Vickie Chapman said SA Police must answer if they were conducting a criminal investigation, and how it had dealt with allegations that Libby was filmed when she was bullied at a fast food outlet last year.
Under SA law, it is illegal to film or publish humiliating or degrading footage of a person without their consent.
South Australian Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore will today move for an inquiry into the adequacy of existing federal legislation that targets cyber-bullying, including the Australia Criminal Code of “using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence” — which carries a maximum penalty of three years in jail.
“The issue of cyber-bullying is something I have sought advice on recently and there is the urgency now given what happened in South Australia,” she said.
“The suicide of a 13-year-old is unfathomable and if there is anything we as lawmakers can do to prevent such tragedy, we should do it.”
■ If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
To donate to the family go to www.gofundme.com/j3tc7-the-bell-family