CHOIRBOY HANGED HIMSELF AFTER YEARS OF BULLYING
“A tormented choirboy hanged himself after suffering for years at the hands of school bullies, an inquest was told.
The boy was burnt with cigarettes, battered with school text books and branded a homosexual during five years of abuse at two schools.
The talented 15 year old was found hanged in his bedroom next to a note naming those he blamed for his death.
‘The real tragedy,’ said his headmaster, ‘was that his parents, the school and his grand parents were not aware of his suffering.
It is very difficult to do anything about bullying without knowing it is going on’.
The inquest was told that the slightly built boy was unable to stick up for himself when confronted by bullies because of his physique.
Three of his friends said the bubbly youngster was systematically tormented both physically and mentally at school. One 16 year old friend said that a week before his death in March, 1998, the boy had told her that he could stand the pain of his bullying no longer. She said that he was frequently called “gayboy” and “poof” because he enjoyed cookery and drama.
During one English lesson he was whacked in the face with a textbook before being verbally abused.
The inquest heard how the boy, who had intended to go to catering school after taking his GCSE’s, was bullied ever since leaving primary school.
On one occasion, as he walked past a church, a gang of classmates burnt his head, back and school bag with cigarettes.
On another occasion he was made to sit on the floor while boys mocked him.
After the boy’s death at his home in Horninglow, police launched an investigation.
11 pupils were arrested on suspicion of harassment and countless others were questioned, but the Crown prosecution has decided not to take further action.
This is taken from the local paper 5/11/98. The boy’s name has been removed here by request of his family.
Antilocution verbal abuse
Darren for years at school both primary and secondary is called names , gay boy, bum boy, batty boy, fudge pusher, faggot
Use as many you feel appropriate and ‘comfortable’ with
Withdrawal
Darren is ignored
People don’t sit next to him
Don’t pass the ball to him etc.
Discrimination
People use what power they have to make his life hell
Don’t tell him the homework
Won’t lend pencils, books etc.
Physical Attack Graffiti
His books are covered with graffiti
When he goes into the toilet he sees all sorts of stuff Darren is a poof etc.
On way home from school outside church he is burnt with cigarettes
Hit in class etc
Suicide
That is what he does
Explore how the adults claim not knowing
Link with responses to dominance
Institutional bullying culture of the country coming from the public school culture
: Alport’s Scale)
Extermination
Genocide
Murder
Suicide
Resignation
Physical Attack
Assault
Rape
Criminal damage
Physical bullying
Graffiti
Discrimination
In employment, education,
access to housing, health
care, services, goods etc
Avoidance
Ignoring, excluding, invisilbilising, physical
withdrawal, not patronising businesses etc.
Anti-locution
Bad-mouthing, spiteful gossiping, creating
negative myths about people, anti-jokes, verbal
abuse, stereotyping
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