A girl has deodorant sprayed down her throat. She is constantly kicked and punched, and verbally abused. A boy is strangled so badly his neck is bruised for days. He’s had black eyes and other injuries from daily attacks. This is happening in a local high school and the parents claim the school has done nothing.
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Unrelenting school bullying has pushed a 13-year-old Dubbo boy to the brink of suicide.
Crying hysterically and wanting “to end it all with a knife” the child was placed on antidepressants 18 months ago. He is still working with counsellors and a psychiatrist to overcome daily battles at Dubbo College South Campus.
According to the child’s mother, the bullying has not eased.
“It just keeps getting worse,’’ she said.
“During the most recent violence my son was choked in the playground. The attacker’s finger marks were visible on his neck for days yet the school keeps pushing the problem under the carpet.
“Gangs of teenage thugs are getting away with continual physical and verbal attacks. My son is not the only victim. The bullying is rampant.
“My son has come home with a black eye, bruises to his arms and legs, and a nasty cut caused when a sharp stick was used as a weapon.
“I’ve reached the stage of seeking legal action to protect my son. He has the right to feel safe at school.’’
Safety is a big issue for a 13-year-old girl who was circled by 30 students at the front of south campus on Wednesday while waiting for the school bus.
“They hit, kicked and abused me and my friend, pulled my hair and wouldn’t let me go,’’ the girl said.
“The attack continued on the bus. Deodorant was sprayed on my face and down my throat. As an asthmatic I found it impossible to breathe. It was frightening - I could have died.’’
Of average build with a smooth complexion and lovely eyes, the girl is continually taunted for being “fat”.
It wouldn’t be so bad if the attacks were just words, she said.
“It’s hard to cope with being hit and kicked, having your face slapped and your head banged against a brick wall. The attacks happen in the classroom and the playgrounds. When I tell the teachers they say not to whinge and sort things out for myself.
“One time I tried to get away from the bullies by locking myself in a toilet cubicle. The main bully climbed over the door to get at me. It was frightening.
“I’m brave and want to attend school to get a good education and a decent job but all the bullying makes it hard to learn.
“After the latest attack Mum won’t let me go back until the school puts a plan into action to keep me safe.’’
heather.crosby@ruralpress.com
Fighting words from parents
“Stuff it. I’ve had enough.”
Those are the fighting words of Dubbo mother Peggy Farrell who wants to form a parent action group to stamp out bullying in local schools.
“I’ve stayed quiet for years because I didn’t want to make things difficult for my daughter,’’ she said.
“But the situation couldn’t get any worse. My daughter is subjected to constant physical and verbal abuse and she’s not the only student suffering in silence. The education system can’t keep students safe. Something has to be done before one of the victims commits suicide.’’
Mrs Farrell has already garnered support from other parents at Dubbo College South Campus.
One concerned mother shared a horrifying account of a child deliberately pushed in front of a bus approaching the school gate. Another told of gangs of bullies attacking students behind a brick wall while teachers on playground duty patrolled nearby.
Relieving school education director Paul Loxley said Dubbo College South Campus, like other public schools, did not tolerate bullying or any form of harassment.
“The school has policies in place and this year commenced a process of reviewing and reinforcing the program in consultation with students and the school community,’’ he said.
“I am aware of all facets of the school’s action in relation to the incidents reported to the Daily Liberal yesterday and feel satisfied that the principal acted appropriately, balancing the welfare of students with procedural fairness, transparency and fair discipline.
“Bullying is a huge issue and we do our best every day to ensure schools are safe but we aren’t set up to provide personal minders.
“Often the bullying relates to matters that have occurred outside the school. Students bring those problems into the playground and classroom and the school ends up having to referee.’’
Mrs Farrell urges parents with concerns about bulling to contact her telephone 0413 620 044 or email mumsplace007@yahoo.com.au