RCMP are investigating the suicide of 15-year-old Todd Loik.
According Todd’s mother, Kim Loik, her son took his own life because of bullying, first on the schoolyard, then online.
“We have conducted several interviews and are planning to interview numerous other people. It’s still an ongoing matter,” said Sergeant Neal Trembley.
Bullying has been in the spotlight in Saskatchewan recently with another case of hazing in Lanigan resulting in several charges against multiple teens. These and other tragedies across Canada are have put the spotlight on the devastating toll bullying can take on its victims.
“It really eats at people’s self-esteem,” said Leanne Bailey, an outreach worker in Saskatoon.
Bailey said being bullied can hurt emotionally and lead to physical stress, and while it’s difficult to talk about it, she said telling someone can go a long way to stopping it.
“Research has shown it stops it. Because now this bully is being called out on his behavior and it’s not right to do,” she said.
The province is working on developing an anti-bullying strategy, which will include consultations with people who’ve experienced bullying.
According to Saskatchewan’s minster of education, Don Morgan, the strategy has several elements.
“Better education, better awareness for parents, for students, for teachers. Updating websites and having literature and information available. So if a student is being bullied the student knows there are supports out there,” he said.
Morgan also said the strategy doesn’t necessarily mean there will be legislature put in place, but he said the plan doesn’t rule it out either.
Loik said she’s received support from the mother of Amanda Todd, a teenage girl who is also part of the growing list of teens who’ve taken their own lives over bullying.
Regardless of the method, Loik’s feelings about ending bullying are clear.
“It just needs to stop.”
