The parents of a 15-year-old girl who took her own life after years of bullying have issued a dire warning to young people, asking them to consider whether something is “true, kind or necessary” before posting it online.
Matilda ‘Tilly’ Rosewarne died on February 16 after enduring more than seven years of relentless abuse at the hands of children and teenagers in Bathurst, west of Sydney.
At their farewell party at the Bathurst Harness Racing Club, the student’s parents, Murray and Emma Mason, told friends and family that their daughter decided to end her life as a result of catastrophic events that ‘cut Tilly’s soul’.
“Every post you write, every image you share, every word you say has an impact,” they wrote in her funeral pamphlet.
–
Matilda ‘Tilly’ Rosewarne (pictured) was 15 years old when she committed suicide on February 16.
–
‘We beg you, before posting, sharing or speaking, ask yourself, is it true? He is sympathetic? It is necessary?’
‘If the answer is “no” to any of these questions, don’t post, don’t share, don’t talk.’
The parents explained that the father, one of their daughter’s classmates, died when she was eight years old, but her classmates responded by voting and deciding that Tilly’s father should have died in his place.
When she wasn’t invited to birthday parties with the rest of her grade, her classmates would call and text her all night to annoy her because she wasn’t there.
Her classmates also used Snapchat and a European porn site to spread ‘fake nudity’, which her cousin later explained on Facebook led to a failed suicide attempt.
Ms Mason told the Daily Telegraph that they filed a complaint with the police, but there were difficulties in identifying the person who owned the Snapchat account and the investigation was dropped.
By this time, Tilly was in such bad shape that she didn’t want to do any more interviews with the police.
Tilly went to meet ‘friends’ in shopping malls, ‘only to be harassed and abused in public,’ her parents said.
–
–
Her parents said she loved to dance and was a debate star at school, but developed depression after being bullied.
–
His parents explained that they do not believe that educational institutions properly manage bullying and that some bullies are excused because they ‘come from a good family’.
“We share these examples not to blame any individual or school, but to plead with all of our educators and parents that something has to change,” the family said.
“If anything may come from the loss of Tilly, we want our education system to go beyond the safety of having a policy or observing ‘RU OK’ day to ensure that real, tough conversations take place and bullying behavior stops.”
They remembered the schoolgirl as someone who loved to dance and paint, and was a great debater, but the bullying led her to develop depression, anxiety, and symptoms of borderline personality disorder, a condition that affects her self-image and creates a pattern of unstable relationships.
Tilly’s best friend Grace told Daily Mail Australia that the schoolgirl texted her when she was in extreme distress.
–
–
Tilly’s parents, Emma and Murray Mason, wrote a tribute to their daughter, detailing some of the things she endured (pictured)
–
“There were so many times that Tilly texted me and called me because she was afraid other people would hurt her,” he said.
“She would be so upset and crying because she thought she was going to die being beaten.”
I just hope you don’t feel pain anymore.
In a Facebook post, a cousin who attended the funeral said “no amount of police intervention could stop thugs.”
“No amount of family support or assistance from psychologists and psychiatrists who were involved in her treatment could stop Tilly from choosing for herself: the only way out she knew would give her peace.”
He encouraged parents to have “real, hard conversations” with their children and schools to “help them understand the impact of words and actions.”
“My family and I will not see Tilly grow up now,” the woman wrote.
She will live in our hearts forever, but it didn’t have to be this way. I wish people were kind.
The police will carry out an inquest into Tilly’s death on behalf of the coroner.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond the blue 1300 224 636
–
:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/9527d596-9a12-11ec-bdf4-0255c322e81b.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 "‘Rebellious’ Britney Spears explains nude photos | Stars")
2 thoughts on “Parents Of Bathurst Teen Suicide Victim Issue Harsh Warning To Young People”
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
If that was my child who suicided because of the doings of others, I’d be getting the best lawyers I could and prosecute and each person accountable regardless of age. Enough of the “there only children” bullshit, children , adults doesn’t matter, when an individual does cruel things they are fully aware of the impact it has
I was a victim of childhood bullying
I would go well out if my way to stay out if there way and be left alone, but they would find where I was and taunt me for years
It’s had a very profound impact on my life, my trust in others and confidence
I feel the laws need to change to make those who pursue another to the point of suicide accountable for their actions
My condolences to the parents for your loss
And my condolences to your child who never got to live her life
Surely the time is here for these child instigators to be held accountable for their actions. RIP beautiful Tilly.
🌸💖🌸💖