Bullying of goth "Vampires"

Vampire rumors prompt Boston Latin alert - about bullying - The...
Boston Globe - Mar 27, 2009

Two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the incident said a group of girls at the school had been bullying at least one other student who likes to dress in Goth-style, a vampirish look popularized by musician Marilyn Manson. The officials said the girls began spreading a rumor that the student was a vampire who had cut someone's neck and sucked the blood.

When Boston police went to the school Wednesday on an unrelated matter, their presence fueled yet another rumor: that a vampire was being arrested, according to one of the law enforcement sources.

Australia goth scene

Evolving Gothic culture still a lure in Brisbane
NEWS.com.au - Mar 25, 2009

While the clubs come and go – Warman was recently out of action for three months while he found a new venue – one thing that hasn't changed is the placid nature of the crowd.

"In 27 years, we've never had any trouble, never had the police called out," he says. "They're a polite, gentle crowd. But they can bitch a bit."

Emo bullying in Australia

Taunts turn to violence - bullying exposed
NEWS.com.au - Feb 17, 2009

The family of one teenage male student told how their son was subjected to a series of assaults at an elite Sydney private college, which included:

* A BROKEN arm sustained in an altercation with another student;

* A KING hit from another student leaving him with a bruised neck and cheekbone; and

* HARASSMENT by five students who called him an "emo" and told him to cut his own throat and wrists.

Goth shop attacked for "Satanism" in Ireland

Raining hellfire on the scary doll store
Irish Times (Dublin); Jan 24, 2009; p. 4

Ballymena councillors are incensed by a shop selling 'Living Dead Dolls', but its owner says it's just a fun place for teenagers to meet, writes FIONOLA MEREDITH .

TROUBLE IS brewing in Ballymena, the bustling market town at the very heart of North Antrim. A recently opened shop - Tracy's Livin' Dead, which stocks the dark, morbid and often eroticised "goth gear" beloved of gloomy teenagers everywhere - has incurred the wrath of some local councillors.

One representative has raised concerns with the police that the store is "purely satanic and witchcraft-related", and is a bad influence on the town's children. DUP councillor John Carson told a meeting of the Ballymena District Policing Partnership that he was concerned about the location's "close proximity to a bus stop used by young people".

When contacted by The Irish Times, Carson refused to comment further on the matter, adding that to do so would be to draw more publicity to the shop.

It's clear that shop owner Tracy Wilson is unfazed by all the fuss. "Welcome to the root of all evil," she sings out as I walk into her premises. It's an unexpectedly bright and breezy place: "We cleaned all the blood off the walls before you got here," quips Tracy's assistant behind the till.

With its rather comical skull transfers on the windows, a shop like this wouldn't stand out at all if it was situated in Dublin or even Belfast, but in Ballymena - which, despite the town's notorious drug problems, retains a facade of 1950s-style genteel propriety - it seems exotic.

As does Tracy herself: the 43-year-old grandmother of two is resplendent in a pentagram necklace and a "Protected by Satan" hoodie. Her other favourite hoodie, perhaps guaranteed to rile the councillors even more, is emblazoned with the slogan "God is busy . . . can I help you?"

As far as Wilson is concerned, the satanic schtick is all a bit of a laugh, and she's frustrated, if not entirely surprised, at the councillors' hostile stance.

"It's not meant to be offensive, it really isn't," she insists, "and I'm going to keep on stocking it as long as the kids want the stuff." Far from deterring youngsters from entering the shop, Wilson says that part of her motivation for opening Tracy's Livin' Dead was to give young people a place to hang out in a town that's sorely lacking in opportunities for them.

She evidently has a great affection for the crowd of black-clad teenagers sipping mugs of coffee and chatting away together on sofas at the back of the shop. "You'd never find a nicer bunch of kids than the ones that come in that door," she says proudly, in a tone far more mother hen than anarchic punk queen. "When I was growing up in Ballymena, it was the kind of place where the swings were locked up on Sundays - it's always been very old-fashioned - but with this shop the kids have somewhere where they can dress the way they want and just be themselves."

ALL THE SAME, it's easy to see why some parents wouldn't be delighted with the kind of gear Tracy sells. Most of it is fairly innocuous, the usual goth fare - red and black stripy legwarmers, "weeping rose" scented black candles, tightly corseted velvet dresses and the odd pair of absurdly campy silver spider-web stiletto boots - but Wilson's selection of "Livin' Dead Dolls", after which the shop is named, are distinctly gruesome. The very antithesis of Tiny Tears, these ghoulish little mannequins have black-rimmed eyes, bloody scars and sinister smiles, and each comes with its own "death certificate" and the warning "only for spooky kids over 15".

They may well be collectors' items, as Tracy tells me, but isn't stocking such controversial dolls a step too far? "I have the highest morals where children are concerned, and I'm responsible about what I do," says Wilson. "I make sure that the dolls are on a high shelf so that younger kids can't see them. I bring my own little grandson in here, and I wouldn't do anything to worry him. And I won't sell the dolls to anyone under 15. Sometimes I do get 12-year-olds coming in, wanting to buy a hoodie or something, but I tell them to bring their mum in so I know they have permission. When the kids don't have much money, I set aside stuff for them and let them pay it off bit by bit."

It's not the first time that the spectre of witchcraft has been invoked in the traditionally God-fearing town. When JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was published in 2005, Ballymena DUP councillor Roy Gillespie urged parents to boycott a local launch, claiming that the series of best-selling books amounted to a "cult", and contained "material totally unsuitable for young minds".

Strangely enough, the wider North Antrim area is historically notorious as a home of witchcraft: in the early 18th century, a series of strange events in nearby Islandmagee led to Ireland's last witchcraft trial in 1711.

Yet, while Tracy's Livin' Dead may not be to everyone's taste, it seems that the shop functions more as a friendly teenage drop-in centre rather than a satanic den of iniquity.

And so far, Wilson has yet to receive a visit from the police. Besides, she says, "I'm sure they have better things to do than bother about me selling PVC dresses and tartan trousers."

Sophie's Mum to meet top Tory MP

Sophie Lancaster's mum to meet top MP 1:27pm Tuesday 20 January 2009

THE mother of a young woman kicked to death because of what she was wearing is due to meet a top Tory politician to discuss policies to cut street crime.

Stephanie Burlingham - scholarly 14 year old bullied to death

Found another case of a kid who killed herself because of bullying just like other cases like the The Tragic Suicide of Nicola Raphael or Tempest Smith or more recently Dominic Maynard and Sam Leeson. Bullied because of her taste in music and because she worked hard in school.

Leeds teenager bullied for shunning drinking, smoking and swearing ...

April 2008

He heard that Stephanie, who had started dressing like a Goth and listening to
Goth music, had been bullied by text and on the MSN Messenger.

School in America aimed for diverse kids

This is an interesting idea

Proposed Gay High School Changed to 'Bully-Free' School
FOXNews - Nov 18, 2008

The new language echoes the mission statement of Milwaukee's Alliance School, where lead teacher Tina Owen said staff have been successful in attracting — and protecting — a wide range of students, from those who identify as "Goth" to teens with disabilities.

"They find it to be a place where they can be themselves," Owen said. "It's a safe place."

But even without a mission statement aimed directly at gay youth, about 60 percent of Alliance School's 125 students identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered.

Not surprising considering students nationwide say sexual orientation and gender identity are two of the top three reasons behind bullying and harassment. Appearance is No. 1, according to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

A 2007 GLSEN survey of more than 6,200 middle and high school students found that 86 percent of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered students experienced harassment in the past year because of their sexual orientation and 60 percent felt unsafe at school.

In the same survey, 33 percent reported skipping a day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe, compared to 4.5 percent of a national sample of secondary school students.

"Harassment is the rule, not the exception, if you're an LGBT student," said Kevin Jennings, founder of the New York City-based GLSEN.

Attack in Poole

Poole man

Mum’s praise for Goth rescue man

10:00am Friday 7th November 2008

THE devastated mum of Sophie Lancaster, the young Goth woman murdered as she tried to protect her boyfriend from a gang attack, has praised the Poole man who broke up a similar brawl on Halloween.

Aran Pope, who witnessed a gang of eight youths surrounding three teenage Goths in Parkstone, stepped in after recalling Sophie’s fate.

Sophie’s mum, Sylvia – who has since established a foundation in her daughter’s name – said: “Mr Pope is obviously very brave and if more people stood up to bullies in the way that he did, they may think twice in the future.

“I have read the article regarding the attack on the Goth teenagers and I would like to say to Mr Pope: well done.”

Mr Pope, 35, who spotted one Goth teen being punched and kicked on the floor, told the Daily Echo: “As it was happening, the young Goth woman who was killed popped into my head. I just knew I had to do something.”

He managed to disperse the group with the help of a passing off duty policeman, and was praised by Dorset Police for his public-spiritedness. No-one was seriously injured in the incident.

Earlier this year, Sophie, 20, was kicked to death by two 16-year-olds in a Lancashire park as she tried to protect her boyfriend, attacked simply because he was a follower of the Goth subculture.

Sophie’s mum said: “Since the death of my daughter I, along with friends, have set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. We receive, on almost a daily basis, instances of violence against young people from alternative subcultures, and we as a foundation are trying to raise awareness of the intolerance they face.”

Following Friday’s Parkstone incident, four people have been arrested and released on police bail. The investigation is ongoing.

Sentence review

Cut in jail sentence for one of goth's killers

guardian.co.uk - Oct 30, 2008
Ryan Herbert, 16, of Bacup, Lancashire, was sentenced to life, with a minimum term of 16 years and three months for kicking and stamping Sophie Lancaster to ...

Goth March in Plymouth

We wear black – and we're proud
Plymouth Evening Herald - Sep 4, 2008
They were among more than 100 goths who marched through Plymouth city centre to mark the anniversary of the mob killing of Sophie Lancaster, in Manchester,

Goths step out with a message of tolerance
Plymouth Evening Herald - Sep 1, 2008

Vicious attack on Goths in Rothwell, Leeds - Paul Gibbs seriously injured

Another vicious attack and mutilation with the most serious injuries inflicted on 26 year old Paul Gibbs and two others injured as well. This sounds like another very horrifying crime:

Echoes of Reservoir Dogs as camper's severed ear found
Yorkshire Post - Aug 30, 2008

One man and two youths are still in custody being questioned in on suspicion of robbery and attempted murder in connection with the case.

The 26-year-old was one of a group of about 20 young goths who were camping on parkland close to the John O'Gaunts estate in Rothwell, east of Leeds, when they were viciously attacked. Four of the group were stabbed and two of the girls were robbed at knifepoint. Two of the four injured men suffered serious injuries.

It is believed the group had travelled up to the John O'Gaunts area at around 8pm on Wednesday and were having a barbecue, drinking and listening to music.Police said a number of attacks took place at different times and at different locations, before one of the group made a frantic call to police. The most violent of the incidents resulted in the man's ear being severed.

Leeds Goths' tribute to pal who had ear sliced off
Yorkshire Evening Post - Sep 1, 2008

Kyle Staniforth was camping with around 20 mosher or Goth friends, ... Police have not revealed the extent of his injuries, other than to his ear

Rothwell Goth attack: Three in court
Rothwell Today - Aug 28, 2008

Police probe Leeds Goth attack after man's ear chopped off ...
Police probe Leeds Goth attack after man's ear chopped off - Residents told of
their shock today over a terrifying night of knife crime

March in Sheffield successful

DEVONSHIRE Green was filled with people of all ages, shapes and sizes on - but there was only one colour to be seen.

The green was a sea of black as around a hundred 'Goths' assembled for a march around the city centre in a plea for tolerance from a society they feel gives them little respect.

Everywhere you looked there was black eyeliner, crosses and an air of melancholy.

The Sheffield Star.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/The-march-of-the-Goths.4444555.jp



Sheffield Telegraph.
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news2/The-march-of-the-Goths.4444555.jp

Anti- Emo conspiracy?

MS13 behind Emo bullying? Interesting article.


Kids, gangs, Emos & suicide
pittsburghlive.com - Aug 24, 2008

Emo Satanic Panic in South Africa

Another moral panic this time in South Africa. For some reason the article seems to combine emo, satanism and metal together in a nonsensical combination.


Sword killing sparks fears of satanic ritual deaths
Weekend Post - Aug 23, 2008

Psychologists warn that the inability of parents and schools to recognise when teenagers are troubled or involved in potentially lethal activities could result in scenarios where they play out their fantasies among their peers – as happened at the Nic Diederichs Technical High School in Krugersdorp on Monday with tragic consequences.

Teenagers in the Eastern and Southern Cape – like their peers in other parts of the world – are also falling prey to a dark new sub-culture known as “Emo”, according to counsellors.

Emo, short for emotional, stems from the alternative US music scene and refers to teens who dress in black, wear dark make-up, show no emotion and listen to bands with lyrics about death and depression. It has already claimed at least one life – that of British 13-year-old Hannah Bond – late last year, after she hanged herself from her bunk bed.

Shop under seige

Shop owner under attack for being different

Jul 19 2008 by Andy Passant, Evening Gazette

A STOCKTON shop owner has spoken out after being terrorised by a gang of young yobs for dressing differently.

Silver Johnson, who runs the Enter the Asylum alternative clothing store, believes both her customers and herself are picked on because of how they look.

The Stockton High Street shop is a magnet for those who embrace alternative culture, often referred to as goths, emos or punks.

But in recent months they have been the targets of verbal abuse and intimidation

Last week two boys were attacked on the same evening, one outside Silver’s shop and another attending an event she had organised.

At 6.30pm on Thursday, July 10, a 13-year-old boy was attacked by one of a gang of youths entering the shop. One of the gang struck him on the head with what is believed to be a metal bar, leaving him with bruising to his head.

Then at 7.40pm the same evening, it is believed members of the same gang attacked Silver’s 15-year-old son Martyn as he attended a youth event at the Georgian Theatre.

A youth punched him in the face, leaving him with bruising and swelling.

Silver, a 39-year-old mother-of-five from Stockton, said: “It is an escalating problem.

“We run an under-18s night from the shop. I categorise it as alternative to the mainstream.

“We started off having a bit of chew, nothing major, but over the last six months it has escalated.”

She said there was a gang of 30 to 40 youths, boys and girls, some believed to be as young as 10. Silver said she had also been threatened with a broken bottle.

As well as the assault on her son Martyn, her daughter Elizabeth, 13, has also been attacked.

“She was beaten up about four weeks ago on the Riverside Road. She was beaten by a girl. She was walking away and the girl was going ‘Fight me’.

“Racial abuse is high up on everyone’s agenda but when it comes to people who dress differently nobody is bothered.

“Why should we have to change the way we dress just because some people don’t like what we are?

“At the end of the day it is only music and clothes.”

PC Debbie Morgan, Stockton’s minorities liaison officer, said: “We take all forms of hate crime extremely seriously. All incidents reported will be investigated fully. We are working closely with Silver to stop this problem re-occurring.”

You can visit the shop website in Stockton-on-Tees below.

Enter the Asylum Enter the Asylum, the online premier stockists of Gothic,Cyber, Dark Wave, Emo, Rock. Punk & Alternative Clothing & Accessories.

Emo/Goth in Russia - protests against proposed law

We covered the Russian governments plan to ban goth and emo previously. Now emos have taken to the streets in protest in Siberia.

FP – 20 July 2008:
'Siberian emo fans protest planned ban: report'


Interesting article in Moscow Times
The Moscow Times – 17 July 2008:
'Black Bangs, Piercings Raise Eyebrows in Duma'

Igor Ponkin, one of the bill's authors and a member of the Interior Ministry's public oversight council, described emo culture as a "social danger" that demands measures such as dress codes in schools, Internet regulation and state-sponsored after-school activities.

Ponkin said emo kids exchange photographs showing off their slashed wrists. "This type of behavior is a crucial part of emo ideology," he said.

"Of course there are emo teens who just listen to their music. But our actions are not directed at them but rather at those who also hurt themselves, commit suicide and promote those acts," Ponkin added.

Not all psychologists agree with Ponkin's analysis, however.

"Suicide is not a symptom of emo culture. I work with other teens too, and every group has emotionally troubled kids," said psychologist Inna Cherkova, who has worked with local teenagers, including emo kids, for 15 years.

Many subcultures can, in fact, help children mature into adults, psychologist Alyona Filippova said.

"Many kids seek those with the same perspective and problems and, through this, they can enter general society," Filippova said.

This led to a Guardian report:

The Guardian – 22 July 2008:
'Russia wages war on emo kids'

First came the Chechens, then ethnic Georgians, and then maverick journalists. But now Russia's cracking down on a different social group, a demographic they see threatening the very future of their country. These rebels have pierced lips, ridiculous haircuts and too much eyeshadow. They're barbarians in bowler hats, leather jackets and torn-up tights. Yes, emo has come to Russia – and its leaders want no part of it.

Last month the State Duma held a hearing on "Government Strategy in the Sphere of Spiritual and Ethical Education", a piece of legislation aimed at curbing "dangerous teen trends". There, without a clue in the world, social conservatives lumped "emos" together with skinheads, pushing for heavy regulation of emo websites and the banning of emo and goth fashion from schools and government buildings.

Of cours th Daily Mail would institute similar measures in the UK.

Good coverage of this at freemuse:

Government plan to ban emo and goth music
Freemuse,

March in Shefield in honour of Sophie Lancaster/ Others planned across country

Alicia Thompson the organiser posted this appeal online explaining the reasons behind the march:

Many alternative people across the globe have reported being attacked by thugs simply for the way they dress. This is more common than we all think. Adults are glassed in the streets, punched, kicked or generally have verbal abuse thrown at them when theyve done nothing to provoke it. Not just that, many young people, still in their school years are being viciously beaten by their fellow pupils for looking 'different'.

You dont have to look very far to find thousands of people who say theyve been assaulted or worse, purely for their sub-culture affiliation. Just because you like Heavy Metal music, wear a Gothic dress, have a mohawk haircut or wear colours that others would deem not 'normal,' does not mean that society can take its pathetic mentality out on you!
What happened to our dearest Sophie Lancaster, for me, is the straw that broke the camels' back. When people are dying, its time to stand up and take action!
Brian Deneke was a punk who was run down by a jock in a car, he died instantly and the jock laughed about it! Tempest Smith was a young 12 year old girl who could no longer live with the threats and abuse she suffered daily at the hands of bullies. She commited suicide and I DAMN those newspapers who say it was because the music she listened to told her to do it! Get the real story you mind numbingly pathetic journalists!
This cannot be allowed to continue and we cannot allow any more people to die because of societies moronic views of alternative people. We're the good guys for crying out loud!
We need to put an end to Alterophobia now!

With all this in mind, i've organised a march through Sheffield city Centre on 31st August 2008. We will stand side by side, in support of our fellow brethren and we will be seen AND heard as we proudly show the public who we truely are!
It's not a demonstration, nor a picket of any sort, just a march... a march to show and celebrate our diversity and colours, a march to say 'We remember those who were treated unfairly and those who suffered tragic consequences'. We remember Sophie, Brian, Tempest, Megan, Sam, Lee, Josh and many others who are no longer with us today because they chose to be shepherds and not sheep.

I NEED AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO MARCH WITH ME!!!

Dress how you feel comfortable, i ask only that you represent yourself as true as possible.

EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT ALTERNATIVE, come and support our cause and show the world that all people are unique and beautiful just the way they are!

It should prove to be an awesome experience - and i shall be filming throughout.

'SEEN AND NOT HEARD - THE PARADE OF UNITED SOULS'
MEET AT THE DEVONSHIRE GREEN AT 11.45AM. WE SET OFF WHEN THE TOWN HALL CLOCK STRIKES 12!!

DON'T WORRY if you can't make it to the Sheffield march - there are more marches being set up in other parts of the UK.

NEWCASTLE - organised by my good friend Laura Hopcroft. You can find her group here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56566375460

PLYMOUTH/DEVON/CORNWALL - organised by another good friend Scott Laycock. You can find his group here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56434245415

EAST ANGLIA - The Gothic Liberation Front (East Anglia Division) is setting up a march in Ipswich. You can contact them via their Myspace page here:
http://www.myspace.com/glfeastangliauk

SOUTH AFRICA - organised by good friend and talented journalist-in-the-making, Rhann. You can find his group here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19746247966

CAMDEN, LONDON - Still as yet to be confirmed and organised. Will update ASAP

WE'LL NOTIFY YOU ON ANY MORE MARCHES AS SOON AS WE GET THE INFO.

Get yourselves ready to be heard!!

All support is welcome... thanks!


YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT: A_THOMPSON7@SKY.COM

This is excellent work and we can only hope others get involved.

The local paper covered it here:

Goths to march through Sheffield in bid to stop abuse
The Star, UK - 17 Jul 2008

HUNDREDS of goths are set to march through Sheffield to protest against the abuse they say they receive for dressing differently.

Clad mainly in black, with piercings and bright colours in their hair, members of the scene say they are fed up of being singled out for abuse - and claim they receive little support from the authorities.

Organiser Alicia Thompson, aged 32, of Wincobank, who likes to wear black dresses, boots and has her hair black and red, said: "We live in a world that doesn't accept this kind of difference and young people are continuously mocked, attacked and sometimes even killed for the way they look."

In April, national headlines were made when two teenagers were jailed for life for the murder of Sophie Lancaster, who suffered fatal injuries when she intervened to stop her boyfriend being beaten.

The court heard the sole motive for the attack was because Sophie and her boyfriend dressed as goths.

Lots of other events held or being planned recently.

Sophie's legacy of love Manchester Online, UK - 17 Jul 2008 A Sophie Lancaster Foundation has now been set up. It aims to raise funds and provide a forum for discussion, work with youths to raise awareness. The SOPHIE logo was designed by family friend Ben Conboy-Greenwood, 23. Hoodies, along with vest tops, bags and wristbands, are available through the MySpace page with all proceeds going to the campaign. So far £22,000 has been raised.

Tribute to Tragic Goth RedOrbit, TX - 16 Jul 2008 YOUNGSTERS in Sandwell are to stage a memorial concert to pay tribute to murdered goth girl Sophie Lancaster. The borough's young people are holding a ...

Suckers to stamp out violence The Visitor, UK - 15 Jul 2008 The charity was founded by the family and friends of Sophie Lancaster, the Goth girl from Bacup, who was senselessly murdered for being different in her ...

Move to revive Bacup's carnival
Lancashire Telegraph, UK - 15 Jul 2008
Money raised by the event would be given to the families of Sophie Lancaster, who was murdered in Stubbylee Park, Matthew Entwistle, who died in a motorbike ...

British Street Gangs focused on clothing

Interesting article:

Crips and Bloods: How Britain's mobs are imitating US gangs
Times Online, UK - 10 Jul 2008
Last year Sophie Lancaster, 20, was kicked to death by youths in Bacup, Lancashire, because she was dressed as a Goth. Have we reached a point where a young

Sam Leeson - Investigation continues

Vicar blasts 'terrorist' cyberbullies who drove Emo teen to suicide
Times Online, UK - 24 Jun 2008

Canon John Evans, conducting the funeral of Sam Leeson, said online tormentors who hounded him because of his dark clothes and alternative music taste murdered him as surely "as if someone had killed him with a gun".

He called on companies operating social networking sites to take action against the "cowardly" minority of bullies "hiding in the dark", to prevent such tragedies from happening in future. Those making millions from such sites had a responsibility to tackle online abusers, who he said were "just as bad as those who throw bombs."

Sam was found hanged in his bedroom on June 5, following months of online abuse which his family only uncovered after his death. He had been taunted on his Bebo page about his devotion to the goth-influenced movement, followers of which often have long dark hair and make-up and wear black clothes.

WE CANNOT LET KILLING GO ON
Evening Post, UK

The past few weeks have not been good weeks to be parents. I met a remarkable mother a few days ago whose teenage son Sam committed suicide recently.

Still grieving, Sally Cope was brave enough to come into the TV news studio to talk about her appalling experience. She may well have found it cathartic but she wanted to warn other parents, in an attempt to save them from the pain she's going through and will continue to go through for the rest of her life. She also wanted to encourage teenagers, especially boys, to talk about their problems and not to bottle them up.

The police are scouring the hard drive on Sam's computer because they believe he could have been the latest victim of the new teenage curse of cyber bullying. Detectives think he may have attracted this sickening attention because of his love of "Emo" culture. Incredibly in a survey last week, one in six teenagers admitted to bullying online and also confessed they found it easy to do because it was anonymous.

Like any responsible parent Sally said she monitored what Sam and his younger sister were up to while in front of their laptop, but like all of us, she couldn't stand behind them permanently, watching every single move of the mouse. Sally says the first she knew of the seriousness of Sam's inner turmoil was when she found him, dead. She didn't even have a chance to talk to Sam about what was eating away at him inside. What makes her terrible experience even worse is that more faceless cowards have been altering, in a very unpleasant way, the many tributes to Sam that have been posted on message boards - it's the online equivalent to desecrating a newly dug grave.

Another attempt to define emo:

Tickle Me Emo
Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription) 13 Jul 2008

Dangers of the Myth of Emo Slf-harm

Generation ‘whine’ and other self-harm myths
On Line opinion, Australia -18 Jun 2008

Perhaps you already care about self-harm. You wrote your worries on your body one night, too empty to feel much as you sought to tell others what you couldn’t explain to yourself. You covered up more than wounds with bandages and wore winter clothing on summer days as a talisman against shame.

You tried it once because you wanted to feel alive, and when you tried to stop, your mind declared otherwise. You replaced one kind of pain with another, which felt a lot like self-help, and the logic of your universe came undone.

Or perhaps you've never cared about self-harm, maybe you just read about it, and became interested in the lore of “cutting culture” - how it is a fad promoted by the “emo” subculture, how it is all about attention-seeking, all about suicidal intent, all about manipulation, how it drove some kid in America to shoot his classmates. Perhaps you don't care about self-harm at all.

Well, now would be a good time to start.

Young people who self-harm* provoke plenty of vilification, but not enough care. Figures published recently by The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) show that hospitalisation for self-harm among people aged 12 to 24 has risen by 43 per cent in 10 years.

But while the jump is disturbing, so too is the hidden number of young people who self-harm but don’t seek help, silent casualties of moral panic and mental health stigma. Ignorance has allowed self-harm to become something ridiculed and taboo, something to talk about in whispers, with cynical sneers. Much is said about self-harm; very little of that is true.

So let's clear up a few misconceptions. Self-harm is not a fashion statement. It is not about exploiting the goodwill of others in order to be noticed. It does not “cause” homicidal behaviour, unless you are a darkly imaginative journalist with a penchant for attention-grabbing sensationalism. Self-harm’s tenuous link to emo (short for “emotional”) comes from the music genre’s lyrics - intimate, confessional - and though they’re certainly an acquired taste, it’s naïve to believe that counterculture is the poison in the well of mainstream society.

Rather, self-harm is a coping mechanism. It is a way of controlling, diverting or communicating overwhelming feelings. (The relationship between self-harm and suicide is complex; in most cases it is not intended to be fatal.)

Knowing what they’re up against - the stereotypes, the prejudice - you start to understand why some young people who self-harm claim “accidental injury” in hospital emergency rooms. And you start to understand why they might find false solace in the “safety” of secrecy, too.

Self-harm is not a “psychotic” act - any more than responding to stress by drowning one’s sorrows in a pot or two of beer is. But the mythology of self-harm denotes otherwise, spurred on by negative spin from a media industry indifferent to empowering young people equally. Vulnerable young people are too often demonised; those in need of help most.