Anti-bullying campaigner Roger Crouch dies
Roger Crouch, the father of a boy who committed suicide after being bullied at school, who went on to become a voice for greater awareness of bullying and 2011’s Stonewall Hero of the Year, has died.
Mr Crouch, a former local authority Director of Children Services, began campaigning to increase awareness of the effects of bullying and to provide support for bullied schoolchildren after the suicide of his son, Dominic.
He was named Stonewall’s Hero of the Year at a ceremony in London this month.
His wife, Paola Crouch posted on the Facebook page for the Friends of Dominic Crouch in the early hours of this morning: “I have the saddest news to give you. The love of my life and Giulia and Domi’s beloved Dad, died tonight.
“The changes you have started, for young people everywhere, the work you have done against bullying will remain as a towering monument to you. Our hearts break Roger, Domi, Giulia and I loved you so much.”
The Crouches’ son Dominic died after jumping from a roof near his Cheltenham school last May. The boy had left the school during lunchtime and his absence was not noted.
He had texted 999 in an apparent cry for help but the service was designed only for registered users.
He had been the victim of homophobic bullying at his school following a game in which he accepted a dare to kiss another boy.
Joanne Dunning of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, said: “It was with great sadness and shock that I learnt this morning that Roger Crouch passed away last night.
It seemed like he was only just getting the recognition he deserved for his anti-bullying work, this month he was named Stonewall Hero of the Year, and had been promoting the work of Diversity Role Models at The House of Commons in his role as patron of the new charity.
“The thoughts of everyone at The LGF are with Roger’s wife Paola and his daughter Guilia and all their family.”
