Bullying must stop: Turnbull grieves for Dolly Everett

Malcolm Turnbull has pledged to take ‘every step’ to combat bullying after the death of Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett.

Tayla Pearson, who lost her brother Kodi to bullying in 2016, at their home in Munruben yesterday. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Malcolm Turnbull has expressed heartbreak for the family of Amy “Dolly” Everett, pledging to take “every step” to combat bullying as more families whose young children took their lives spoke out about the devastation it caused.

In the days since Dolly’s family revealed she had committed suicide on January 3, there has been a groundswell of support from ­affected families, police, support services, rural groups and the ­nation’s leaders.

Dolly, a 14-year-old country girl who gained a national profile when she appeared in an advertisement for Akubra hats eight years ago, will be farewelled at a service in Katherine this morning.

Northern Territory Children’s Commissioner Colleen Gwynne has called for the prosecution of those found to have bullied Dolly.

The Prime Minister said yesterday in a post on Akubra hats’ Facebook page that Dolly was loved and would never be ­forgotten. “As a parent and as a grandparent, my heart breaks for Dolly and her family,” he wrote. “From pain and loss we must renew our commitment to say no to bullying … Every step must be taken to ­reduce the incidence of bullying, whether offline or on, and eliminate it wherever we can.”

Cyber-bully victim Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett, who killed herself last week.

Quentin Pearson, a Queensland father whose son Kodi took his life in 2016, aged 14, said the ­latest tragedy had shown how widespread youth suicide is.

“It happens more than the public know,” Mr Pearson said.

He said more emphasis needed to be put on those who did the bullying.

“The government need to start doing a bit more, bring in some anti-bullying laws,” he said. “Nothing happens to (the perpetrators), and they’ll just go onto the next poor kid. I’ve learned there are younger children who are doing it as well.”

Mr Pearson and his wife ­Michelle created Kodi’s Message, a foundation to inform parents about bullying.

Their daughter Tayla, a model, has spent time speaking candidly in schools about losing her ­brother. “I never really knew anything about it,” Tayla said last night. “I tell people to speak to teachers, but many contact me. They look happy but they don’t want to deal with it. I give them my ­personal advice.”

Ms Gwynne, a former Northern Territory Police officer, said those who bullied online should be treated as if they have committed a crime.

“I’m not talking about locking kids up, but we need to understand them,” she said. “They have to be held accountable. What is it about them? Why do they engage in this behaviour? There needs to be a national response to this. We’ve had enough. It’s not ­acceptable.”

In South Australia, the family of Libby Bell, a 13-year-old who killed herself last August after online and personal bullying, posted support for Dolly’s family.

“We, the Bell family, are incredibly saddened by the death of Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett,” they wrote. “We have been completely devastated as a family … we as a family hold the Everetts and their ­extended family and friends close to our hearts as they go through this gut wrenching time.”

South Australian teen Libby Bell, who committed suicide last year.

The Bells have moved to create a new law, named Libby’s Law, in South Australia to combat bullying. The legislation has passed the upper house but is yet to pass the lower house.

Katrina, a mother from Rockhampton in Queensland who did not want her surname published, created a petition in the wake of Dolly’s suicide after discovering her own 13-year-old daughter had been receiving messages through an app that allowed commenters to remain anonymous. She has asked Google and Apple to ban the app, called Sarahah.

“It’s obviously going to be used for evil,” Katrina said yesterday. “I have been scared, broken and sick to my stomach ever since I read messages about my 13-year-old daughter including ‘I hope SHE KILLS HERSELF. Seriously nobody will care.’ I do not want my daughter or any other to become the next Dolly.”

Tyrone Unsworth, a 13-year-old from Brisbane, also committed suicide in late 2016 after long-term bullying about his sexuality.

In 2016 suicide was the leading cause of death of children ­between five and 17.

Under federal laws it is an ­offence to use a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, with a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment. However, federal police say such cases are usually handled by local police who may apply federal laws.

 

“If the family makes a ­complaint of bullying and harassment we’ll look into it,” a Queensland police spokesman said.

An AFP spokeswoman said the force understood that cyber bullying and online threats could be devastating for victims, and encouraged victims to report the matter to their local police, “who are best placed to investigate these matters”.

Susan McLean, a cyber-safety expert, said the internet had given “oxygen” to bullies who knew nothing of the pain they cause.

“Where the hell were their parents? Behind every cyber bully is a parent oblivious to the harm their child is causing,” she said. “You’ve got to teach children empathy and respect. But honestly, you’ve got adults behaving ­appallingly online. What hope have kids got?”

Ms McLean, who narrowly avoided the terrorist attack in Barcelona last year, said she ­received messages afterwards saying: “Shame they didn’t get you. Better luck next time.”

“I’m resilient,” she said. “What would happen to young kids?”

She said government should look at whether cyber-safety lessons should be mandatory.

The federal Department of Education and Training does not mandate school-based programs. Instead, a national curriculum works as a guide for states and territories. Education Minister Simon Birmingham said, however, that “any sensible proposals to further protect children and educate them about cyber-­bullying should be considered by state education authorities”.

The school where Dolly boarded, Scots PGC College in Warwick in southeast Queensland, did not respond to questions about its anti-bullying and cyber-bullying policies. A spokeswoman said: “Our focus remains on supporting Dolly’s family and our community during this extremely difficult time.”

Additional reporting: Sofia Gronbech Wright

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide, call Lifeline (13 11 14), the Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or see a doctor.