14-year-old Claire, had heard all the warnings and horror stories, but never thought internet stalking would happen to her …INTERNET HISTORY I’d been using the internet for about four years, mostly for study and to talk to friends on MSN, mainly people I already knew. I’d never met up with anyone I’d chatted to online, and before Jack* I’d never had any bad online experiences. CHAT TIME It all started innocently when I was home from school one day last term with glandular fever and was chatting to a friend from San Francisco. Suddenly, an unknown email address added...

After years of abuse, bullying, self harm and developing an eating disorder, Victoria, 17, became so depressed it almost killed her. I’ve had depression for as long as I can remember. My dad was an alcoholic and would beat my mum and I. He left us when I was still young, but I guess the pain stayed. At first, the depression was a bit on and off – I’d have good days and then suddenly I’d have really bad days – but about a year ago it got really bad. I felt dull and didn’t want to do anything. I didn’t do my homework. Some days I barely got out of bed. Then,...

School texts such as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet could fall victim to the Northern Territory’s controversial underage sex laws, the Australian Education Union claims. Amendments to the Care and Protection of Children Act were signed into law last week, making it compulsory for all Territorians to report any sexually active child under the age of 14 to authorities. Oh Romeo, Romeo, for where art thou Romeo? Sorry mate, we have to report you to the coppas for being sexually active. The Territory’s AEU president, Rodney Smith, says that has huge implications for teachers. “At...

Shoddy workmanship has been offered as a possible cause of the electrocution of a toddler at a Homeswest house in Western Australia’s north-west. The two-and-a-half-year old boy suffered the fatal electric shock while playing hide-and-seek at a Homeswest house in Roebourne, in WA’s north-west, on Saturday night. All state-owned properties were supposed to be fitted with a safety device to prevent electrocutions by 2007. Supposed to, but now that boy is dead. The Housing Minister, Troy Buswell, yesterday revealed the house where the boy was electrocuted did not have one of the devices...

Asylum seekers and people who overstay their visas will no longer be charged for their time in immigration detention. Liberal Senator Judith Troeth today crossed the floor to vote with the Federal Government to end the practice of billing those held in immigration detention. Her decision ensured the bill passed despite the Opposition voting to reject the changes. Senator Troeth told the Senate the practice of charging immigration detainees is a blot on Australia’s record. “These punitive sort of charges and the putting up of these barriers should never be happening and I will be proud...

Family First Senator Steve Fielding has revealed he has a learning difficulty, after mixing up “physical”, “fiskal” and “fiscal” in an interview with journalists this morning. Recently, Senator Fielding has frequently mispronounced “fiscal policy” as “physical policy”. Speaking to journalists this morning he was questioned about the mispronunciation. “I’ll make it quite clear: fiscal, F-I-S-K-A-L,” he spelt. The journalist repeated his misspelling, at which point Senator Fielding corrected himself. “F-I-S-C-A-L....

Lets all learn these rhymes: I’m a size challenged teapot, small in stature and generous of girth Here is my non-judgemental holding device and here is my non-pressurised, safety device enabled, fluid releasing orifice When I feel temperature augmented and in need of external expression then I exclaim in an elevated decibel, yet non-threatening verbal tone Adjust my angle and release my non-caffeinated, dairy free organic contents. ——————————————————————————– Sing...