"We won't recover": Grieving parents speak out ahead of daughter's funeral
Warning: This article contains discussions about suicide that some readers may find distressing.
The grieving stepfather of 12-year-old Charlotte who died by suicide has spoken about the young girl's struggles with bullying as he prepares for her funeral.
On Monday, Matthew remembered his stepdaughter as the “kindest, most caring little girl” whose death had followed “toxic” issues at school.
“To lose a little girl at the age of 12 is something we won’t recover from,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
Charlotte was a student at Santa Sabina College in Sydney’s inner west, with the Catholic school being forced to defend their handling of bullying in the wake of the 12-year-old's death.
Matthew said he believed some of the responses from the school had been “unnecessary”, and claimed he had no direct communication from officials despite their public statements.
“I think outside of the response from the broader community of the school I have to say I’ve been disappointed to say the least, with the response that’s come from the school,” he said.
“Some of the responses that have gone into the media, I think the first response was around that there’s inconsistencies in their records and I thought that comment to go out at that time when we were grieving was unnecessary."
“And since then, comments like the school’s been overwhelmed with support from other parents coming forward and saying how well they deal with these types of issues. And I’m sure they’ve had some communication and some support, Ben."
“But those mothers that have given that school support, no doubt they will be planning on picking their daughter up from school today, and we are not.”
Matthew went on to confirm that Charlotte's mother had repeatedly asked her daughter's school to do something about the bullying, and break up the friendship that put Charlotte through a "roller coaster".
“I would not allow this behaviour to happen in my home,” he said.
“I am not after any retribution for these girls … but I’m looking for the schools to step in … to act when these things are raised for the first time, not the second or third time.”
Matthew said it was time school “friendship issues” were called out for what they really were, saying, “It’s not called a friendship issue in the workplace.”
The year 7 student took her own life on September 9th, leaving a note to her parents that included names of those she wanted at her funeral and others who had made “life too hard”.
It also instructed her mother, Kelly, to “tell the school please”, with the note reading, “Mama, please share my story to raise awareness.”
The family are preparing to farewell her at a funeral on Friday, and have asked those who wish to send flowers to instead make a donation to the Kids Helpline.
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Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
SANE: 1800 187 263; saneforums.org
Image credits: 2GB / Kids Helpline