Act of violence caused cyber-bullied teen's suicide

By Stephanie March
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/30/3230599.htm @abcnews

In a landmark ruling, a Victorian court has ruled a bullied teenager's suicide was a direct result of an act of violence.

In 2009 Allem Halkic killed himself after suffering weeks of abuse through the internet and text messages.
The Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal has ruled the teenager died as the result of an act of violence.
The family's lawyer, Julia Schembri, says the aim of the compensation claim was not about getting money.
"That was what they needed to do in order to provide Allem some dignity," she said.
"I think it provided them a great deal of closure in being able to understand the reasons behind Allem's death."
The teenager's father, Ali Halkic, says the case sets an important precedent.
"So many people have taken their lives due to criminal acts committed against them," he said.
Last year a former friend of the 17-year-old pleaded guilty to stalking charges and was sentenced to a community-based order.

Tags: community-and-society, family-and-children, suicide, bullying, courts-and-trials, australia, vic