Dolly’s loss a nightmare wakeup call

THE news this week that 14- year- old Northern Territory girl Amy Jayne Everett, affectionately known as Dolly, committed suicide after relentless bullying, hit a little too close to home.

No one understands the heartache of losing a child to bullying more than the Burdekin family of Breannah Piva, who took her own life at just 16 years old after years of abuse.

Both girls had so much to live for. Yet, for reasons only the culprits must know, they were torn down and harassed to the point they felt they could not continue to live this life.

It’s impossible to understand the pain suffered by parents who have lost a child, especially when that child has died at their own hand.

But these stories still strike fear into the hearts of every parent.

Bullying has, of course, always been an issue for children. However, never has it been as ferocious or as intense as it is today, in social media’s heyday.

Once upon a time, no matter how bad things got in the schoolyard, a child’s house or bedroom was a safe place for a victim to seek solace.

Now there is nowhere to hide from the cruel keyboard warriors who can spread their bile far and wide on the internet from the safety of their own home with no understanding of the potential implications.

The Piva family had hoped their loss would help stop the horror of bullying among young people and now the brave Everett family have launched an anti- bullying campaign.

The pain of losing both of these teens, and others like them, must serve as a wake- up call for all parents to talk to their children about bullying and its devastating consequences.

In an age where any idiot behind a computer screen can hurl abuse on a public forum, it’s important for everyone to realise their words can have consequences.

If you are thinking about suicide phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.