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A mother who launched an anti-bullying charity after the tragic suicide of her daughter has recently withdrawn from a local council by-election following verbal abuse aimed at her teenage son. Nicola Harteveld, founder of the Megan’s Starr Foundation, which supports young people struggling with mental health challenges and bullying, decided to step back from the race representing the Milford Haven Hakin ward after her son was targeted.
The incident took place on 20 February near their home, where two men directed offensive language toward her 14-year-old son, using hurtful terms related to Harteveld’s political affiliation. Harteveld described the incident as “a jeer from two so-called men to a child” and emphasized the impact words can have, recalling her own experience with losing her daughter Megan to bullying and verbal abuse. She revealed that her son initially kept the episode to himself, worried that sharing it might cause her to withdraw from the election. “I don’t mind if it’s directed at myself because I put myself forward, but I didn’t put my children forward,” she said, explaining the emotional toll on her family.
Harteveld had planned to contest the by-election set for 17 March, following the passing of Mike Stoddart, who held the Hakin seat since 2004. Having previously served as a town councillor in Milford Haven for three years, she was prepared for the challenges of political life, acknowledging the need for “broad shoulders.” The encouragement to stand came after a visit from Welsh Labour’s First Minister Eluned Morgan to her charity. However, the recent harassment against her son led Harteveld to conclude that she could not expose her family to such hostility. “If that’s people’s mindset where they can say on the street to someone, to a child, words like that then I’m not prepared for my family to be subject to that,” she stated.
Welsh Labour expressed sadness at Harteveld’s decision, condemning the abuse targeted towards her and her family. A party spokesperson said, “That’s not politics, it’s intimidation,” and confirmed the incident had been reported to Dyfed-Powys Police, which is investigating it as a criminal offence of harassment. Highlighting the broader issue, Merched Cymru, a women’s rights group, emphasized that personal attacks particularly affect women in politics and undermine democratic engagement. They noted the especially troubling nature of harassment directed at a child to attack a female politician. The by-election also features candidates from the Wales Green Party, Welsh Conservatives, Reform UK, Welsh Liberal Democrats, along with several independents
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