'My 7yo daughter was being bullied. One incident made my blood run cold.'

This story mentions sexual harassment.

As I write this, I'm still in shock. 

My seven-year-old daughter Emma* is a sweet, outgoing, Taylor Swift-obsessed girl. She loves her friends and playing Barbies on the weekend.

People always comment on how funny she is and how she has a way of lighting up a room.

But sadly, all of that came to an end last year because of the horrific abuse she was being subjected to at school. She's experienced bullying, death threats, and sexual comments - all from a boy the same age as her. 

I first became aware something was wrong when Emma told me she was upset because her male classmate had called her "ugly" and "fat". 

I comforted her, read a book about bullying with her, and hoped it would soon stop. 

Watch: 1 in 4 school kids have been bullied. Here's what to do if your kid is getting bullied. Post continues after video.

But at her seventh birthday party, another parent made a comment about the bullying, saying it was very much still ongoing.

After that, Emma's behaviour began to change. 

She'd wake up each morning and simply state that she was not going to school. She would scream and cry until she hyperventilated, something I'd never seen her do before. 

While I was deeply concerned, I tried to encourage her to go to school, but she'd scream the entire way there and beg me not to make her go in. 

Even when I did persuade her to attend, she'd come home quiet and withdrawn, spending hours alone in her bedroom.

A couple of months later, I volunteered to chaperone on a school excursion and so I witnessed firsthand the appalling bullying. The boy in question pushed Emma and grabbed the collar of her shirt in front of a teacher but wasn't even reprimanded. I was furious. 

Emma became more and more withdrawn. I tried my hardest to get her to open up to me, and eventually she told me her bully had told her to kill herself, even describing in details how she should do it. 

This was the final straw. I knew I needed to speak to her teacher. 

The following day, before I'd had a chance to do that, I got a call from Emma's school aftercare while I was still at work. 

They told me there had been an "incident" where Emma had charged at a boy, crashed into a wall and chipped her tooth.

When I rushed to pick her up, I found out the truth. Emma told me her bully, had followed her into the female toilets and refused to leave. He'd said, "I'm not going until you let me watch you go to the toilet". 

My blood ran cold when she told me that. 

Terrified, Emma had lashed out, chasing him out of the toilets, which was when the "charging" incident had happened. 

That day, I messaged Emma's teacher and asked for a meeting as soon as possible. 

I told her my daughter was refusing to go to school because she was being bullied, and that this had now escalated to an incident where she was sexualised and intimidated in the female toilets. 

Unfortunately, the teacher didn't take me seriously. She made excuses for the bully and I left the meeting deflated.

I contacted the principal and set up a meeting, but all they told me was they would speak to the teacher in question and monitor the situation.

Over the past six months, the bullying has got worse, so I've made a formal complaint against the teacher for refusing to act. Unfortunately, it could be months before I get a response.

I've also had regular meetings with the principal but I never feel like we get anywhere.

Listen to this episode of This Glorious Mess where our guest Laura Mazza is pretty okay with her son standing up to the school bully. Post continues after podcast.

I think part of the problem is that Emma's school is 75 per cent male and 25 per cent female. Even at their young age, the boys are taking advantage of the power dynamic. Emma and her friends have been called "skanks" and been told they should "stay in the kitchen", had their bottoms slapped and been grabbed at. 

The boys doing it are now eight years old. 

The last 18 months have been the hardest of my life as a parent. 

Why is the education department, and the government stating that they are taking male behaviour towards women and young girls seriously when that is clearly not the case?

I'll keep advocating for Emma, even though it feels like we're fighting a losing battle. 

*Name has been changed due to privacy.

The author of this story is known to Mamamia but has chosen to remain anonymous for privacy reasons.

If this has raised any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.

Mamamia is a charity partner of RizeUp Australia, a national organisation that helps women, children and families move on after the devastation of domestic and family violence. Their mission is to deliver life-changing and practical support to these families when they need it most. If you would like to support their mission you can donate here.

If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. If you're based in Australia, 24-hour support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Feature image: Getty.