A student who has been targeted by prolonged bullying at Wagga High School has told The Daily Advertiser it took the school four months to remove graffiti from the women's bathroom, leaving her feeling unsafe to use the facilities.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Destiny McCracken, 13, said she had been told online and in-person to "kill yourself" before she was made aware of the slurs and targetted expletives that had been written on one bathroom stall.
"People came up to me and told me it [the graffiti] was there, I was hurt and confused about it," the year 8 student said.
"I couldn't get it off my mind. It got to me."
The slurs labelled Destiny such offensive names as a 'f----t' and a 's---t'.
It came after rumours had allegedly circulated the schoolyard saying the 13-year-old was pregnant.
Destiny's mother, Katie McCracken, said her daughter "called in tears" upon the discovery, which prompted Ms McCracken's husband and Destiny's step-father to contact the school midway through term 2.
"She shouldn't have to see that," Ms McCracken said.
"She doesn't want to go to the bathroom at school because of it."
Ms McCracken said she was looking into moving her daughter to another school but had had issues with zoning.
Before the end of the last term, the parents say, they left the school with an ultimatum to have the graffiti removed by the beginning of term 3, or they would take the matter further.
When contacted by The Daily Advertiser a spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education said via a statement that "the graffiti has been removed".
It is understood the school took action to have it removed on Monday after students had returned to classes.
"I can't get over the fact that it's been there for four months and only now it's coming down after we've threatened," Ms McCracken said.
"She gets bullied on the bus, she gets bullied at school, she gets bullied online, she gets no rest.
"People need to see the seriousness of this. That's something that stays with that child."
If you or someone you know needs help, contact:
- Lifeline - 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
- Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
- MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78