Every parent of school-aged children knows just how seriously they take their privacy. Bedrooms are no-go zones, private sanctuaries away from nagging parents and nosy siblings.
It’s for this reason Queensland mum Shellie Ross waited until after her daughter Lily had left for school on Wednesday to take the opportunity to tidy up her room.
Sadly, what she found among the dirty clothes and scattered toys was a quiet cry for help.
The mother-of-two from the Sunshine Coast found a troubling note written by her 10-year-old daughter, discovered after her oldest son saw it hiding in Lily’s Nintendo DS game.
“Some of the time I’m really sad that I feel broken,” the handwritten note read.
“My heart just broke as a parent,” Shellie told Seven News of the heartbreaking letter. She said her son was also “devastated” for his sister.
The Mt Coolum resident knew her daughter was being targeted by bullies at school, having been diagnosed with severe anxiety at the age of eight. Lily is a year older than her classmates, and taller and more mature, her mum said.
Children explain in their own words how bullying is affecting their lives and why it’s wrong. Post continues after video.
Top Comments
There's one more thing to talk about regarding bullying that I haven't seen much. How do you help someone who has been the victim of bullying? Because believe it or not, simply resolving the bullying isn't enough. If the bullying gets bad enough, or goes on long enough, or both, that can cause permanent trauma to the victim. (I was considering saying "child," but bullying occurs at all stages of life.) And you don't know how long or how bad it's been, even if your child tells you: they may have only noticed it long after it started.
I can’t understand how she could get no response after contacting the school and education department 13 times. Although I’ve heard similar stories before - how can it be? As parents we entrust our kids to the school - why are these parents prevented access when something is wrong? I honestly just can’t understand it. What happens if the parent just walks into the school and speaks to the teacher/principal? My child hasn’t started school yet but these stories make me feel very concerned about it.
I agree with you. I would be walking into that school and having my attorney's name and number with me. They would be talking to me for sure.