‘Go kill yourself’: Shepparton teen bullied in shocking video

Video shows a Shepparton teen being told to “go f---ing kill yourself” as concerns grow that similar attacks are rife across the Goulburn Valley. Now experts are begging for it to stop.

Shepparton experts are begging for bullying to stop after a teen was told to “go f---ing kill yourself” amid concerns the attacks are rife across the Goulburn Valley.

The video, recorded on social network Houseparty, shows several girls attacking a Greater Shepparton Secondary College student.

The conversation ends when the group of girls tell the teen to “kill herself”.

The Goulburn Valley News has spoken to several parents, including the teen’s mother, who say students are being relentlessly bullied and there is no escape.

Most are trolled in a closed Snapchat group where students post vile rumours.

One parent said her son had an intimate photo shared to Snapchat for hours before it was removed.

The mum of the teen told to take her life said her daughter had been punched nine times, kneed in the head and feared going to school.

She says she has quit her job to follow a safety plan put in place by GSSC, a “super” Victorian Government school in Shepparton preparing to merge four secondary schools into one from next year.

Under the plan, believed to be organised on behalf of the school, she says she is forced to pick her daughter up at recess and lunch and is only allowed at the front of the campus.

“I freeze every time I get a call from the school because I’m worried something has happened again,” the mother, who asked to remain anonymous, said.

“She wants to be at school but the situation makes it so difficult. It makes me worry when all the students are on one campus.

“It’s another example of why we need a second option (for education).”

Many parents are forced to send their kids to the government school merged to lift lagging results with nearby schools either at or near capacity for enrolments.

Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell said she was aware of the bullying.

The local MP recently ran a survey of more than 3500 people with 94 per cent sad they wanted an additional choice for secondary public education.

“All of these reports are extremely concerning and we need to do everything we can to protect our children,” she said.

“No child should be told they to go and take their own lives. The survey gave me the idea there was a lot of dissatisfaction in the community about what was happening in the school.”

But psychologist Gordon Ross, who has worked in the region for more than 30 years, said online bullying was an issue across all Goulburn Valley schools.

She said it had increased in recent years with victims unable to escape the constant abuse from their screens.

“Sometimes, victims are unable to escape the online presence of their bullies who might be using several different personas,” she said.

“It is important we address the mental health issues of young people as soon as possible.”

Mr Ross said bullies were often experiencing mental health issues of their own.

“In my experience, these people often have low self-esteem,” he said.

“They feel like they don’t have any power in society and look for a way to assert themselves.

“It’s important we try to find a way to get these bullies the help they need, as well.”

Greater Shepparton police said they were investigating inappropriate and explicit content shared on “closed” social media groups in the Shepparton area.

“Local police are very aware of these online groups, often platformed by apps such as Snapchat, and would like to warn younger users that although an image might disappear from their phone, it can be stored and shared for years afterwards,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said when approached about Snapchat bullying.

“We take all reports of cybercrime seriously and urge anyone who has experienced online bullying or harassment to contact their local police station.

“Anyone with information is also urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.”

An education department spokesman said any form of bullying – be it at school or on social media – was unacceptable.

“And all schools across Victoria take strong action to respond to incidents of bullying, including disciplinary action where appropriate and reporting serious incidents to police,” the spokesperson said.

“As a police investigation is currently under way, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”