The devastation that schoolyard bullying can cause has once again been put on stark display today, with the revelation that a 13-year-old Queensland boy has taken his own life, after reportedly enduring years of relentless verbal abuse and physical attacks by cruel thugs.
Tyrone Unsworth, barely into his teens, took his own life after the campaign of hatred over his perceived sexual orientation. Now his loving mum Amanda is left to cope with the devastation after, she says, the bullies ‘ended up getting him’.
‘He was a really feminine male, he loved fashion, he loved make-up and the boys always picked on him, calling him gay-boy, faggot, fairy; it was a constant thing from Year 5,’ she told the Courier Mail of the homophobic hatred and violence her boy had to constantly cope with.
The Aspley State High School student was recently hospitalised after another student allegedly attacked him outside of school with a fence pale – leaving him requiring surgery. Sources say the attack changed the once sunny child forever, and he no longer wished to return to school. His dreams of becoming a vet or a fashion designer will now remain forever unfulfilled.
Police confirm there is an ongoing investigation into the alleged attack.
School principal Jacquita Miller says the bullying had not been reported – once again raising the need for children to feel safe and supported enough to voice their concerns to authorities.
‘We had no reports to the school of the bullying, we really try to work with families to resolve these complex issues. I’m just so sorry and sad that we didn’t have the opportunity to help this young man,’ she said.
Now another family is left to deal with the endless heartache that suicide brings. Our thoughts go out to all affected by this shocking tragedy.
If you need help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
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