The father of 12-year-old Santa Sabina College student Charlotte, who took her own life earlier this month, has broken down on-air over his daughter’s tragic death.
Charlotte’s stepdad Matt spoke to 2GB’s Ben Fordham Live about his daughter’s suicide and revealed how his wife Kelly and the rest of the family are coping.
Matt said his entire family is “broken” but wanted to remain strong to tell Charlotte’s story and give her a voice.
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“Her final wish for us to tell her story and that hopefully this would gain some awareness and something positive could possibly come from this,” Matt said.
“I get up every morning and talk to whoever wants to talk to me about it, because we need change, Ben, we need to do better for our kids than we’re doing today.”
Year 7 student Charlotte took her own life on September 9 after struggling with school bullying for years.
Kelly said she had attempted to address the allegations of bullying with her daughter’s school, Santa Sabina College, but hadn’t been able to nip it in the bud.
The grief-stricken parents said it was clear the bullying contributed to Charlotte’s death.
“I would not allow this behaviour to happen in my home,” Matt said.
“We as adults need to step in and solve the problem… I’m looking for the schools to have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to these things.”
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Matt said he and his wife are “disappointed” with Santa Sabina College’s response to bullying allegations.
In a statement shared with 2GB, the college said the family’s claims of bullying are “inconsistent” with their records.
Matt and wife Kelly refute this and want the school to take accountability.
“It has been heartbreaking, [but] having said that Ben I would still welcome the opportunity when the time is right, to meet with the school if they were to reach out to me directly,” Matt said.
“I’m not sure, with the responses that have come from the school, that we’re going to see change in that school anytime.”
“I am here to talk to all the other schools today,” he added.
“I’m here to talk to all the other school leaders that we need to have those difficult conversations, and while they are difficult conversations, nothing is more difficult than trying to have this conversation with parents that have lost…”
Both Charlotte’s parents said they didn’t want any anger or blame directed at the students at Santa Sabina College.
Matt said he wants schools to take bullying seriously and to change policies so no other child takes their own life.
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“If you have shown any emotion having listened to my daughter’s story… please organise a meeting and do it today,” he said.
He also thanked the local community for rallying around his family during this dark time.
“We have been overwhelmed with support since then, we have had parents rocking up at our house almost every day, bringing food and home cooked meals for us,” Matt said.
“Our fridges and freezer at home are full, but our hearts are empty.”
In telling Charlotte’s story, Matt told Ben he wants her to be remembered for the kind, loving friend, daughter and sister she was.
In the months before her death, Charlotte was loving being a big sister to her little brother Will.
“She was just the most amazing 12-year-old you would ever meet, the kindest and most caring little girl who would put the needs of others before hers,” he said.
“They were inseparable,” Matt added about Charlotte and Will.
“Her mum told Charlotte before she even told me and Charlotte dropped to the ground in joy, she said that is the only wish I have for [my] next birthday.
“She didn’t need anything else because she had a little brother.”
Matt told Ben he was technically Charlotte’s stepdad but had been a father to her since he met her mum, Kelly.
The pair were due to get married in a month.
Matt and Kelly want people to donate to Kids Helpline in lieu of flowers ahead of Charlotte’s funeral on Friday.
Crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Support is available from Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
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