Sunshine Coast boy attempted suicide because of bullies, says his family

THIS 12-year-old boy was relentlessly bullied about his red hair and freckles. Now his family wants action after he attempted suicide for the second time.

BRIAN Birchall’s family is demanding answers after the 12-year-old boy attempted suicide twice because of relentless bullying.

They are hoping the Sunshine Coast boy’s story, who was picked on because of his red hair and freckles, will wake Australians up to what’s happening in schools.

The torment was so bad for the Year 8 student at Gympie State High that his parents even tried to change the colour of his hair.

Shocking details about Brian’s ordeal were revealed in a viral Facebook status by his brother, Murray Benton, which has now been shared more than 68,000 times.

“For months now ... he has been pushed around, been called names, been involved in both group and one-on-one fights, been made the laughing stock in front of his peers and the list goes on,” Mr Benton said.

Brian Birchall is a Year 8 student at Gympie State High. Picture: Murray Benton

“As a result my brother has been pushed to the point where he would rather turn to self harm (as) opposed to returning to school.”

In the lengthy status, he took aim at the school for it’s response to the incidents and the public health system for its handling of Brian’s situation.

Mr Benton said that while one of the alleged bullies had been given a three-day suspension, he is now free to return to school as normal.

He revealed to the The Gympie Times that his brother had been taken to Gympie Hospital after his first attempt at self-harm on Tuesday night.

He was discharged later that night, but last night Brian made another attempt at self-harm.

After being admitted to Gympie Hospital they were able to secure a transfer to the Lady Cilento Hospital where he was assessed by a team of experts.

“After speaking to other parents within our Gympie community and hearing how many kids are in the same boat with our schools I am fully aware that he is not the only one. This in itself is disgusting,” he said on social media.

Murray Benton with his brother Brian. Picture: Murray Benton

“The last couple of days have absolutely shattered me.”

Now he is hoping Brian’s story will make politicians and the general public wake up to the issue.

“We’ve got primary school kids that are going to this extent. It’s time for something to change,” he told the Times.

It comes after renewed calls from concerned parents across Australia to tackle the issue of bullying in the country’s schools.

In February, it was revealed that a six-year-old girl had been attacked with a stick and had cords tied around her neck in a series of violent incidents at Mount Gambier North Primary School, in rural South Australia.

And in January, 14-year-old Northern Territory girl Amy Jayne Everett, affectionately known as Dolly, took her own life as a result of bullying. Her parents launched a #StopBullyingNow campaign in response.

Since then, parents across the country have been speaking out about bullying in their communities and some have called for political action to be taken.

One parent has now collected more than 200,000 signatures on an online petition to have anonymous messaging apps, such as Sarahah, banned in Australia.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, or visit kidshelpline.com.au