‘Realised this too late’: Dolly’s family’s heartbreaking plea

Their daughter was literally bullied to death. Now the parents of Dolly Everett want other parents to know what they would have done differently.

Kate and Tick Everett have issued a plea to all Australians to help break the silence around bullying, warning more than 340,000 children won’t speak up about being bullied.

Five years after losing their 14-year-old daughter Dolly to suicide, Mr and Mrs Everett said it was concerning that one in four children are being bullied and of those, one in seven will

never tell anyone.

Dolly Everett was only 14 when she died after relentless bullying at school.

Dolly took her own life in January 2018 after relentless bullying from kids at her Queensland boarding school. She would have turned 20 on May 1 this year.

Mrs Everett said while Dolly did speak up about some of the issues, her family weren’t aware of just how bad it was until it was too late.

“There isn’t a day goes by we don’t wish we had a different outcome, that we had asked her more questions, we weren’t aware of how bad the bullying was or the effects it was having on her,” Mrs Everett said.

“We realised this too late.”

In the wake of Dolly’s death, her parents and big sister Meg established Dolly’s Dream, a foundation committed to changing the culture of bullying.

Each year on the second Friday in May, they hold Do It for Dolly Day, a day dedicated to spreading kindness and encouraging the community to unite in taking a stand against bullying.

This Friday on Do it For Dolly Day, the Everett family are calling Australians to “break the silence”.

“We encourage parents, carers and educators to help create a safe space for kids to open up and have conversations about what is happening in their lives, and discuss any challenges they may be facing,” Mrs Everett said.

Kate and Tick Everett. Picture: Jane Zhang.

Mr Everett said one conversation could make “all the difference”.

“When it comes to bullying, we want kids to feel supported and confident in speaking up,” he said.

They said signs a child may be being bullied included changes in mood, friendship groups and interests, varied sleeping patterns and not wanting to go to school.

“My advice to other parents would be don’t be afraid to have these hard conversation, don’t be afraid of creating change for your child, it feels difficult now, but it’s for the better,” Mrs Everett said.

Meg and Dolly Everett.

Psychologist and Dolly’s Dream Advisory Board member Charlotte Keating said anyone could choose to have the tough conversation whether it be a parent, carer, educator, family or friend.

“We know that many young people who experience bullying don’t speak up about it,” Dr Keating said.

“The reasons can vary. They may feel like it’s their fault, they don’t want to worry anyone, or they believe they will somehow disappoint their loved ones. The reasons can be complex.”

For more resources, visit dollysdream.org.au.

IF THIS STORY HAS AFFECTED YOU

Dolly’s Dream Support Line: 0488 881 033

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

Lifeline: 13 1114

Mental Health Access Line: 1300 642255

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

13YARN: 13 9276

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636