Post by @justadvocacy1

Ashley Saville, of Ward 76 in Lentegeur East, near Leeubekkie, was found dead in her bedroom after being cyberbullied and after a video of her was leaked. Her father is broken. He did not know what was being done to her, when it started, or how far it had gone. Ashley’s mother died years ago, so this house has already lived through one loss. Yesterday it was asked to live through another. Her sister came home from school at about three and asked where Ashley was. Her father said she was in her room. The room was dark. Her sister looked in, could not see her, and went back to say she was not there. Her father could not understand it, because he had not seen her pass him. He went to check, switched on the light, and found her. He tried to revive her. Nothing helped. Ashley had been cyberbullied for some time. In that period a video of her was leaked by a friend who had once meant the world to her, someone she had loved in spite of everything. She was not strong enough to carry the humiliation, and she took her own life. The cruelty did not stay on a screen. It followed her into the only room that should have been safe. Speaking through tears, her father said the weight on his shoulders is bitterly painful, but that as a child of the Lord he must forgive the people who cyberbullied his child, however much it hurts. It breaks him over and over, he said, because she was such a lovely person, and now she is gone forever. Parents, do not assume a closed door means a child is fine. Ask who is speaking to them online. Ask whether anyone is mocking them, threatening them, or passing around something that was never meant to be shared. Listen before you reach for the phone. Many children stay silent because they fear blame, punishment, or having that phone taken away, and silence is not the same as being all right. Cyberbullying is real, and the end of it can be a father standing in a bedroom with nothing left to do. Rest in peace, Ashley. Condolences to her father, her sister, and everyone who loved her. Keep this family in your prayers, and show her the love she was denied online. If you are a young person being targeted, tell one adult you trust. You do not have to carry it alone. In South Africa, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) can be reached on 0800 567 567, or by SMS to 31393. Childline is 116. If someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services. #JustAdvocacy #CyberbullyingAwareness #Lentegeur #CheckOnYourChild #MentalHealthMatters