2010 witnessed several bullying-related suicides covered extensively by the media. Beginning with the Phoebe Prince suicide in January, September would prove to be the most tragic month of them all. Initially four teens would take their own lives because of intimidation over their sexual orientation, but September wasn't through and eventually revealed two additional teen suicides linked to gender-related bullying. What has transpired since then for the first two victim's families – Seth Walsh and Tyler Clementi, and where are the perpetrators?
What happened in the Seth Walsh case?
On Sept. 19, 2010, Seth Walsh went home and hung himself from a tree in his family's backyard. According to Seth's grandparents, the 13-year-old was bullied extensively and by every possible means because of his gay preferences. No charges were leveled against the kids that bullied Seth, even after an admission of guilt. Tehachapi Police Chief Jeff Kermod, said that no crime had actually been committed, but that those responsible did feel remorse.
This remorse did little to alleviate the pain and suffering to the Walsh family. Just recently, Seth's mother Wendy, and younger brother Shawn, appeared on The Nate Berkus Show. Shawn Walsh said, "Bullying isn't okay because one word can make them have suicidal thoughts." Shawn adds that he urged his brother to tell their mom but Seth wouldn't, fearing that to do so would only make the intimidation, "More brutal."
Wendy Walsh accused school administrators of turning a blind eye to Seth's bullying and on Dec. 21, 2010, Lisa Leff of the Associated Press wrote in " Feds eye CA District's Handling of Bullying Claim," that Federal education authorities had launched an investigation into the school district's handling of the bullying claims. On Jan. 13, 2011, Tehachapi Unified School District's superintendent, Richard Swanson denied the claim saying that he found some accounts of Wendy Walsh's bullying accounts, "Difficult to believe." Wendy Walsh is also working with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Aclu.org, on introducing a new act to stop anti-LGBT harassment.
Tyler Clementi jumps of the George Washington bridge
New Jersey student Tyler Clementi jumped from the George Washington bridge on Sept. 22, 2010 after the Rutger's student was filmed during a sexual encounter with another man. Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei were accused of filming the encounter and video streaming it over the Internet. After writing on his facebook page, "Jumping of the gw bridge sorry." Eighteen-year-old Clementi did just that and took his own life. Both Ravi and Wei were charged with invasion of privacy.
On Dec. 22, 2010, Emily Friedman of Abcnews.go.com, reported that lawyers for the Clementi family felt that Rutger University had done little to protect their son. As a result writes Friedman in "Tyler Clementi's Family to Sue Rutgers University After Suicide," the Clementi's were intending on suing the school. On Nov. 22, 2010, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights. The bill requires school districts to report annual bullying incidents to the to the Commissioner of Education. Schools will then be graded on how they handle bullying, harassment and intimidation.
Both of the alleged perpetrators have since left Rutgers reports Corky Siemaszko of the New York Daily News. Seimasko on Oct 29, 2010, also wrote in "Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei, Students Accused of Driving Tyler Clementi Suicide, Withdraw From Rutgers," at Nydailynews.com, that Wei is hoping to return to Rutgers and believes in the long run, she will be exonerated. If convicted however, they face up to five years in prison. Currently, Ravi is out on bail and Wei was released on her own recognizance.
Another two teens would take their own lives in September when Asher Brown and Billy Lucas both felt that they had little choice. The suicide toll did not end there. Two more suicides would be later linked to gender-related bullying, raising the total to six. Nineteen-year-old Raymond Chase and 17-year-old Cody Barker, were both openly gay students that were harassed. September 2010, claimed six young lives and proved to be, the deadliest month of them all.
Note: all sources accessed Jan. 14, 2011.
Elizabeth Batt - Elizabeth Batt is a former large animal nurse, certified NREMT, lover of equines and conservationist.
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