Thirty-seven boys aged five to 14 died by suicide from 2009 to 2013, statistics show.Īnd LGBTIQ kids are up to six times more likely to consider suicide because of bullying - which community members have branded a 'national disgrace'. Kids Helpline 1800 551 800ĭress-ups: Tyrone Unsworth - remembered as a happy-go-lucky boy who loved fashion - is seen in a picture shared by family and published with permission Tyrone will be laid to rest at a service on Thursday.įor confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14.
Top federal politicians from the Labor and Liberal parties spoke out about the tragedy and friends raised more than $20,000 for the boy's funeral. Since the tragedy was revealed, there has been a wave of support for Tyrone's family - with vigils held in Sydney and Melbourne late last week. 'He was a really feminine male, he loved fashion, he loved make-up and the boys always picked on him, calling him gay-boy, f****t, fairy,' she said. In an interview with the Courier Mail last week, Amanda Unsworth said bullies had pushed her boy 'to the edge'. The Department was also 'liaising with authorities including police where necessary.' The Queensland Education and Training Department spokeswoman said its cybersafety squad was 'monitoring online activity in relation to this issue'. Tyrone is pictured here with his mother in a happy snap from the past We need (the) Safe Schools (program) and we need them everywhere.' 'We need to combat bullying, particularly for LGBTI and indigenous youth. We need to ensure that schools are a safe space for all children. 'After hearing that the bullies are trolling the family, I am absolutely devastated for them, a family still clearly deep in grief. Ron Van Houwelingen, one of the organisers of a vigil for Tyrone, said: 'Initially my heart also went out to Tyrone's tormentors - imagining that they would have to learn to live with the fact that they drove him to the point of feeling that there was no other option than taking his own life. 'Homophobic prejudice is learnt, and it can be unlearnt, beginning in the classroom.' He said leadership from teachers, principals, parents and politicians was vital to tackling prejudice and bullying. 'The continued bullying highlights how deep the hatred of LGBTI people still runs in some parts of Australian society.
'I extend my sympathies to the family of Tyrone Unsworth and share their outrage that he is being bullied beyond the grave,' he said. An anti-bullying campaigner has led efforts to stop the trolling