12yo girl dies after bullying
Cyberbullies don’t realise the harm they’re inflicting, say grieving family. Bevan Hurley reports on girl’s tragic death.
The family of a 12- year- old girl who died in a suspected suicide have spoken out about the dangers of online bullying.
Kyana Vergara died suddenly at her Palmerston North home on January 11, and her death is the subject of a coroner’s inquiry.
Sister Aundrea Denoon described Kyana as having a ‘‘heart of gold’’.
‘‘She had so much to live for, she wanted to be a social worker and had an amazing voice once she got over her shyness, we were meant to be at her graduation and dance and give her away at her wedding and most of all she was meant to have a family of her own.
‘‘ She was into shopping and shoes, she loved her Converse, and played netball.’’
After Kyana died, the family discovered evidence of troubling social media postings that she had received.
‘‘I just think it was typical bullying. The hurtful words that young kids say, they don’t realise. You call them ugly, you call them fat and it does damage and they don’t realise that.
‘‘She had a lot of friends, so we never thought it was happening.’’
For Kyana’s parents, who emigrated from Chile, losing her had been the worst experience imaginable, Aundrea said.
She herself had been bullied at school, but these days the constant pressure of social media amplified the dangers.
‘‘It started at school and it finished at school. Afterwards, it was my time to relax. Now, children don’t have that space away from social media.’’
Ross Intermediate principal Wayne Jenkins said Kyana was a ‘‘ wonderful student’’ who was involved in a wide range of school activities and had many friends.
‘‘Our thoughts and wishes con- tinue to be with Kyana’s family and friends as they come to terms with this tragic loss.’’
According to a 2014 study, two out of five New Zealand kids had been exposed to online bullying.
Last year’s statistics show 564 people committed suicide in New Zealand, the highest figure since records began. Ten children between the ages of 10-14 died, up from six the previous year.
The death of a nine-year-old girl Palmerston North student who was critically injured at school, and later died in hospital, is also the subject of a coronial inquiry.
Under the Harmful Digital Communications Act, it is an offence to send or publish threatening or offensive material and messages. Spreading damaging or degrading rumours, invasive or distressing photographs, and harassing and intimidating people can also be punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment or a maximum fine of $50,000 for individuals.
Since it was passed last year, eight people have been charged. One person was jailed for four months, and another sentenced to three months’ community detention and 200 hours community work.
A police spokeswoman said Kyana’s death was not being investigated under the act, and her death had been referred to the coroner.