Bullying in the Canadian school system is being examined following the suicide of an 11-year-old boy just months after he was assaulted.
Wilson’s condition meant that his muscles were weak and deteriorating over time. He found it difficult to walk or climb stars and used a walker while at school. Doctors had urged him to exercise regularly which was difficult for the 11-year-old from Pickering, Ontario.
Three years ago Wilson’s mother died after a battle with skin cancer. He was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy last year.
The young boy was mugged last November by a 12-year-old from his school. The bully was after Wilson’s iPhone, which he had borrowed from his father. Wilson’s face and teeth were smashed during the attack.
The bully was arrested and removed from the school.
The young boy’s father, Craig Wilson, found his son with a plastic bag tied around his head earlier this month. He committed suicide one day after he received the subpoena to testify against his alleged attacker.
He told the Toronto Star newspaper “He was never the same”.
As the court date drew closer things for Wilson did not improve and the bullying continued.
He said “Subsequent to the beating that he took, he just lost that spark you see in a kid's eye. He had huge anxiety attacks about going outside and going for his walks and going to school by himself.”
Pam Wilson, the young boy’s grandmother told the National Post “At the cottage in July, he said, ‘If I have to go back to that school, I’ll kill myself.’”
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His father said the 11-year-old was scared that he would run into the bully again.
Mitchell Wilson’s suicide has raised fears that justice will not be served.
Initially it was feared that the case against the bully, who attempted to steal his iPhone, would be dropped as Wilson would not be able to testify. However the Court are now preparing an affidavit of the statement Wilson made before his death.
The case will be heard on November 21.
Wilson’s family only wish that the bully can atone for his crimes. Pam told the National Post “He’s a lost kid. He hasn’t been loved, hasn’t been cared for. We don’t want to be a lynch squad. We want him to do community work with disabled people. All we are trying to do is help this kid understand that his life is going to be zip if he keeps on the road he is on.”
It is Craig Wilson’s hope that his son’s death will have a positive effect on others. He told the Sun “I can’t do anything for my child anymore...So let’s hopefully save some other people’s children so they don’t have to go through this mess.”
17 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.irelandmusic | Oct 03, 2011, 06:27 PM EDT
I think the kids who bully should be charged and have to do service work in the community,to learn how to be kind to others because something is wrong these kids are mean to the core and telling them to stop does not work.
rainbowbrew | Oct 03, 2011, 11:07 AM EDT
I was somewhat fortunate in that my child was very independent. The bully in her school was being dealt with through counseling and parent involvement. he was too incorigable and left the school. the way my daughter dealth with it was quick and to the point. he was following her bullying on and on and she turned around and hit him sqarely in the face. he left her along. now that was not great behavior on my daughters part but bullying sometimes has to be treated in this manner. Maybe the kids can police them selves.
rainbowbrew | Oct 03, 2011, 11:03 AM EDT
What happens when the bully is a priest?
cindyohcindy | Oct 02, 2011, 08:21 PM EDT
I agree with Patricia Marya, however, I do think after taking the child to the parent and good results do not happen, then, I say notify the police, of what is happening..Believe me bullying has a long term effect on a child that continues through adulthood..
PatriciaMarya | Oct 02, 2011, 05:15 PM EDT
I agree with George Dillon's entry: why do we not see the parents of the bullies and force the media to contact them right and left. The schools are so frightened of what? Another entry tells us of a second grader being punched daily by another student? Why did the driver not pull over to the side of the road, call the school authorities and demand that the Principal or the Vice Principal drive to the spot, remove the bully from the bus and take them home immediately. If the parents of the bully are at work, take the child to their work place, embarrass the hell out of them in public and make the roubled child their reponsibility. If it happens again, repeat it again and again until the parents take responsibility. And then, of course, their posses might take over...and keep pulling over to the side of the road.
Jakki | Oct 02, 2011, 03:48 PM EDT
My heart goes out to this young boy's family. I admire his father's courage in not seeking revenge. It is such a tragedy for everyone involved. Bullying has been around for years and somehow it has to stop.
MrMike17 | Oct 02, 2011, 01:16 AM EDT
I have developed a bully prevention show for elementary schools. You can learn more about it here... http://youtu.be/2qAvD01RD9E http://www.StopBullyingShow.com
KMcSinger | Oct 01, 2011, 10:49 PM EDT
What a horrifying story! I wonder did the child still have to attend the same school after he was beaten and if there was any way that he could have been allowed not to testify, since he was so clearly terrified!
eibhleann7 | Oct 01, 2011, 04:46 PM EDT
The school systems are disgustingly apathetic in these situations. The only action they take, is getting rid of problem students, either by suspensions, denial and or expulsions, in the hopes that these troubled kids will become someone else's problem. Despite spending thousands of dollars to employ "professional" councilors within each school, they are often unavailable to the students in a time of need and do as little as possible to remedy any social and or behavioral problems that arise in the school. Other than filling out any paper work which may cover the school in the event of a law suit, little is done to get to the root of the problem to help either the bullys or the victims. Just for example, my second grader was being punched in the face every morning on the bus ride to school by a bully. His classmate told his teacher at the time. No action was taken. Finally after months, I was told by my son what was happening. When I mentioned it to his teacher, she said she had been told "something" about it a while ago. I never received a call from her, the bus company, or the school. These are the people we entrust with the safety and well being of our most precious gifts and expect them to do the right thing. Now another young life is lost. Something has to change, because the system is failing our children.
cindyohcindy | Oct 01, 2011, 04:36 PM EDT
Parents should call the police immediately, give the school name, kids name etc... at least this will be a step in the right direction.
Porickseantuny | Oct 01, 2011, 02:21 PM EDT
The bullying epidemic is the result of the Dr. Spock generation of feel good treatment. Hence Teachers are afraid to discipline because of the bureaucratic interference on teachers. If the bully had a few paddle whacks from a principal the bullying would soon cease. However, in today's ethos those in authority dare not intervene except with a "tisk,tisk".
Irishphotograph | Oct 01, 2011, 01:47 PM EDT
very sad story
simplesandy | Oct 01, 2011, 01:39 PM EDT
christilcaugh when you type this kind of comment be very careful. You are speaking about me whom you know nothing about. I am a republican and I feel there is definitely a huge problem in the USA for bullied children. You need to stop putting people into categories and open your eyes to everyone as an individual. Thanks now go have a great day.
christilcaugh | Oct 01, 2011, 11:51 AM EDT
Sadly, the Republicans here in the States would say that bullying ISN'T a problem.
colkelley | Oct 01, 2011, 11:04 AM EDT
Now the bully should face more serious charges relating to the suicide.
someday | Oct 01, 2011, 09:30 AM EDT
I tip my hat to the Father as he could be out for blood against the attacker. Rather he realizes it is a kid and all he wants is forthe courts to try and help this kid turn his life around.
GeorgeDillon | Oct 01, 2011, 02:37 AM EDT
This is most distressing. I often wonder why it is that the bullies --and their parents--are never asked to explain their behavior in public. They just slink away. Parents of school bullies get away unscathed--they should be asked to account for themselves also.