Parents petition to stop bullying

A young girl has bravely spoken out about horrific bullying at school, claiming she's been punched and choked by fellow students.

The quiet 12-year-old girl is a good student, who used to like going to school, but now she's terrified.

After being punched to the ground and choked at Toormina High School, near Coffs Harbour, she's taken the brave step of speaking to Seven News because she claims teachers won't listen.

“You just stop reporting stuff because they do nothing,” she says.

Another student, in year seven, had a similar experience until the abuse forced her to change schools.

“There was nothing done about my bullying and the teachers just laughed,” the young girl says.

Parents say teachers are failing to act so they're taking matters into their own hands.

One mother started an online petition, after teachers said they were powerless to stop the bullies.

It's already attracted more than 1400 signatures along with comments like this, from a year ten student at Toormina High.

“Bullying got the best of me... I was told I had depression and anxiety because of it,” a former student wrote.

A local health worker adds “I see multiple kids as a nurse who have been victims.”

National Party MP Andrew Fraser says there's no real action being taken against the perpetrators.

“Children are bruised, they are literally battered,” Fraser said.

“What we need is leadership from the top and we're not getting it.”

Despite the community outcry, the Education Department insists Toormina High School does not tolerate violence.

The Department has issued a statement saying it doesn't have a particular bullying problem.

To sign the online petition visit Toormina High School: Stop the violence