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The Results of Bullying
<p><a href="http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/276541/body-stored-caravan">http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/276541/body-stored-caravan</a></p><p><a href="http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/272115/police-suspect-homicide">http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/272115/police-suspect-homicide</a></p><p>A body has turned up in a caravan in New Zealand and, although the Police are still investigating, there is reason to think it is a man called Simon Garrick, an old acquaintance of mine.</p><p>I first met Simon in 1980 and
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9271382/Body-lay-in-caravan-for-months
― Donna Schoenrock
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/272115/police-suspect-homicide
A body has turned up in a caravan in New Zealand and, although the Police are still investigating, there is reason to think it is a man called Simon Garrick, an old acquaintance of mine.
I first met Simon in 1980 and during 1983/84 we were at school together, and he is the worst victim of bullying I have ever witnessed in my life.
I saw Simon being kicked, punched, verbally abused, slapped across the face, his head dunked in a sink of water, and even on one occasion a knife held against his throat - and this taking place on a daily basis during that 1983/84 period.
It is not an exaggeration to say that during the 15 months we were at school together he never got a single minute of peace, and even at the time - at that young age - I speculated as to the effect it must be having on him.
I never saw Simon in person after May 1984 but I very much doubt the bullying suddenly stopped when my family moved cities and I therefore left that school, so it probably continued for another 4 years.
Occasionally over the years I heard about him; it was no surprise to me to read in the newspapers of him appearing in Court on possession of drugs, nor being sent to prison for burglary (his excuse was he needed the money for you-know-what), nor that he was unable to have a stable, productive life like most people.
This from a man who had more advantages in life than most people.
I lay the blame for his unfocused and troubled adulthood squarely on the bullying he experienced growing up, some of which I personally witnessed.
There are 5 main offenders as school bullies of Simon Garrick and it has been very, very tempting in recent weeks to jump on facebook.com, go to their vomit inducing, self indulgent profiles (telling the World what nice people they are) - and inform their friends and families what sort of a person they really are, and what sort of activities gave them their jollies 30 years ago - with a dead body to prove it!
Tempting, but probably something I will not do as it is a bit unseemly - but I hope they are happy now!
If there is any doubt in your mind at all about bullying Simon Garrick is a classic example of what happens, and why it is not ok.
Disclaimer: Simon Garrick was not gay, and it may surprise you to learn I know for a fact he actually disliked me intensely