Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett was only 14 years old when last week, she took her own life.
Her family say the tragedy came after she was tormented online by bullies, with her father writing on Sunday that those who thought their bullying was a joke should “come to our service [for Dolly] and witness the complete devastation you have created”.
It’s a story that’s captured the collective minds of parents around Australia, who are at once terrified and angry that a teenager could be so “overwhelmed” by bullying as to feel that this horror was her only option.
The father-of-two described the “strength” of his “precious little angel,” and added that “Doll had the strength to do what she thought she had to do to escape the evil in this world”. It’s a narrative that at first might look like one of vengeance and victory – a way for Dolly to truly show those who hurt her what they had done.
But within the harrowing statement shared by Dolly’s father Tick on Facebook, is a message we cannot lose when it comes to suicide.
“However,” wrote Tick, “unfortunately Dolly will never know the great pain and emptiness left behind”.
She will never know.
She will never know the gravity of her loss.
Top Comments
I very much hope the bullies do reflect on their actions and words. I know only limited information about this story but there is a clear difference between right and wrong, and the tormentors would have known that. 14 is so very young - young enough not to know that it would have gotten better. If the bullies were the same age they have no excuse.
I just HATE in today’s world that people (with youth and maturity) simply say whatever they like online to strangers, celebrities and people they know. It is disgraceful behaviour and I find it abhorrent.
I am a high school teacher and Mum to two young boys. I want to teach both my boys and students not to just stand by and let terrible things be said and done - and certainly not to say/do them.