I found out just last night that my cousin, Tori Nikol Swoape, took her own life on Monday, May 7th 2012. She was only 15 years old. I know I haven't posted anything in a while. While I am working on new material, this turn of events has derailed all of that. Please bear with me while my family and I mourn our loss.
The reason, it has been determined, was bullying at the highschool she was attending. Please, if you know anyone that is currently going through anything like this, be there for them and let them know that they are NOT alone. Don't let them withdraw and think that it's too much to take.
The story is here: here
Comments
Does your country have "forced suicide"...
...criminal charge? In this case bullies are quite qualified to spend some years in prison for forcing a person to commit suicide...
I'm very sorry to hear about it. But it happens all over the world with lots of kids.
Actually bulliing should be qualified as first degree criminal offence as it consists of assault, battery and in most cases robbery. Not counting smaller charges of property damage, swearing in public and other minor offenses. So I think it's now time to start treating bulliing as criminal offense on the same level as gang rape and murder.
Once again, I'm very sorry that it had to happen...
I completely and totally agree with you on those points...
But I don't know the lay of the laws in the state of Indiana. I'm sure that her parents are going to throw the book at the bullies and the ones who enabled them.
Peace be with you and Blessed be
Unfortunately, bullies win,
Unfortunately, bullies win, as was proved by the Columbine shootings; the administration got away with the "They need to learn to deal with the real world" defense, and then everyone blamed video games and guns. My attitude was as soon as it was proven that the people involved were systematically abused by people in the school, the ADMINISTRATORS should have been charged with being accomplices, at a minimum, to manslaughter.
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
I can't say I agree with that...
...What I will say is that the solution to this problem is in the home and in the school office. First schools are just too big coupled with the fact that the staff is too undermanned (underpersoned). There is NO WAY IN HELL it should ever get to the point of suicide or homicide.
Grieving With you
I am grieving along with you and crying for the loss of someone so young. I wish the powers that be, would get the message and actually recognize the serious nature of bullying, instead of seeking to exempt and excuse certain reasons for bullying from being punished in the laws they pass. Prayers for Tori and your family and all her friends.
Hugs,
Jen
Loki
My deepest sympathies.
Disgusting how little some care about others
HOW dare they judge another.
Probably thought it as sooo funny she killed herself.
So, slap on wrist? Mandatory sensitivity counseling for the vile girls?
See proof positive our society has moved forward, girls can be as insensitive and destructive as guys now.
Makes me want to puke when I hear of things like this.
* * * * *
So sad.
Take the time you need, Loki.
What a waste.
May you be remembered and your tragic tale save others, Tori.
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
My heart goes out to you and
My heart goes out to you and your family. A suicide in the family is hard to death with.
I have to ask, as painful as it may be, why she got bullied? I only ask so that others know what to look for.
This is so sad...
...and shouldn't happen. I hope the girls responsible are made to realise what they've done.
My sincere condolences to you, Loki, and your family.
Angharad.
Angharad
I'm so sorry for you loss
My prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you everyone...
Your support, prayers and condolences me so much to me. Thank you so very much.
Peace be with you and Blessed be
My condolences
A very sad story and something that is far too common. Over the past year the media in Canada has been reporting quite a few student suicides caused by bullying. The Ontario Government even tabled legislation in an attempt to combat it. I hope it's a trend and I hope it actually helps.
Raising awareness is an important first step but there also needs to be something in the system to punish those who bully. I don't know your laws so I can only hope that these girls are held accountable. There is no excuse for bullying.
I wish you well in dealing with your grief. My condolences to you and your family.
Im sorry for you
hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna
We Are All Responsible
for each other. We are not alone in the world, nor are those we are in contact with. If you have thoughts of suicide for any reason ask someone to help you. If you know someone who who is thinking of it ask that person(s) not to kill his/her self. If you are not sure, check it out with that person, especially if that person is depressed. We are responsible for each other.
I hope that someday Tori Swoape becomes a blessed memory.
May She RIP and Her Death Have Some Meaning
May Tori acheive the Peace denied her in life and may she Rest in Peace. May the gathering in her memory have some meaning, and hopefully the reaction to it will help prevent another death.
Bullying is nothing new, but the situation has gotten much worse, because the internet, cell phone and like, spread the hate far and wide, and it remains a constant thorn in ones side.
As parents it is importnat to monitor our children's web life and act appropraitely as necessary.
RAMI
RAMI
Truth
There are no words for something like this.
How can any caring adult not hear about this and be indifferent? I read this the first time and was speechless. Sometimes it is better not to say anything, but not always.
I grieve with you.
You have my sincerest sympathy.
I have read many of the responses here and agree with very many of them. We, most specifically family, have a duty to make our support and our affections known to those who rely on our relation. That is not a statment of blame. Very often our family does not know what travails we face; we often do not share them out of guilt or shame. I know, I lived through bullying from the fourth grade 'til I graduated. I've posted before that I never knew why. Being on this board I am getting an idea why. In reality some of the bullying has to do with a need of that person to relate to someone who is difficult to relate to. Because they are shy and confused and defensive and introverted. There is at least one person who made my life hell for two years that in retrospect I could very well have related to in a very different way had I not been shell shocked by simply hating school due to previous abuse. I know this is a bit long winded and I apologize. I'm going to post what I posted on another thread pertaining to this subject. There are enough enemies in this life that we do not have to become one ourselves. I never learned to love myself because I believed what others said (I'm talking about little snot nose brats whose ignorance still effects me today). In any case I am sorry for your loss. My little brother died two years ago I don't think it has hit me even yet.