Glasgow Teen's Four Suicide Attempts Spark National Anti-Bullying Campaign
A Scottish mother is demanding urgent action to combat bullying in schools after her autistic son attempted suicide four times due to horrific harassment throughout his education. Kirsty Solman, from Drumchapel in Glasgow, established the charity Stand With Kyle Now in 2024, following multiple hospitalisations of her son Kyle at the Royal Hospital for Children's A&E in 2021 and 2022 after he swallowed medication in suicide attempts.
Years of Relentless Bullying
The teenager, now 14 years old, who lives with autism and ADHD, has endured appalling bullying during both his primary and secondary school years. Kirsty Solman is convinced that the education system is failing vulnerable youngsters like her son, reporting that teachers' hands are tied when it comes to dealing with perpetrators effectively.
Since launching the charity, the number of parents contacting me has been horrific, Kirsty explained. Kids who are being bullied are being punished more than the people who are bullying them. It's getting so bad in some cases that parents are pulling their children out of school entirely.
Despite years of advocacy against bullying, Kirsty revealed that her son Kyle continues to be targeted, including an attack just before Christmas. She emphasised that she does not blame the school directly, stating that there is nothing more they can do within the current guidelines.
Inadequate Responses and a Call for Change
Kirsty highlighted the inadequacy of current disciplinary measures, noting that when Kyle was attacked, the school could only issue a five-day suspension. That's not a deterrent. There is no clear line that children know not to cross, she asserted. She is campaigning for a nationwide strategy to eradicate bullying, criticising the inconsistency in school policies.
There are guidelines, but every school is allowed to write their own policies. It can be very inconsistent between institutions, Kirsty said. What I am calling for is a clear, mandatory anti-bullying policy. I want teachers to be given back power because, just now, it's the children who hold it. Every child deserves to feel safe in their school environment. Something needs to change fundamentally.
Petition and Government Response
Kirsty has now set up a petition urging the Scottish Government to intervene, stating that the system continues to fail children despite assurances that bullying is taken seriously. The petition calls for a single national anti-bullying policy for all education settings, alongside stronger, consistent consequences for bullying, particularly in repeat or serious cases.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government expressed empathy for the harmful impact of bullying, welcoming that Kyle and his family have turned their pain into something positive for the community. They stated that any incident of bullying in schools is completely unacceptable and that all local authorities and schools are expected to have anti-bullying policies in place, recording and responding to all incidents.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Glasgow Council affirmed that bullying of any kind is not tolerated in their schools, with allegations always investigated and appropriate action taken. Pupils are taught respect and tolerance from early years, with schools, families, and young people all having a role to play in eradicating bullying.
