School Bullying Case
Published 1 year, 6 months ago in Making News.In light of recent nook discussions re bullying, which generated some interest, here is a news article about a possible $1M payout to a victim of school bullying: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=266948
The court ruled in favour of the now 18 yr old victim who was bullied at primary school many years ago. Basically, the court heard that the school failed in its duty of care, allowing the bullying to continue and the victim to be subjected to constant torment and abuse causing such trauma as to eventually precipitate a psychiatric disorder in the victim.
No amount of money can give this young man his life and childhood back, but at the very least it might serve as a token apology and acknowledgement from the law, on behalf of the school and the community, for the suffering endured.
It would be a way of saying that what happened was wrong, that it should not have happened, that the schol should have exercised appropriate duty of care (which it did not do) and that the community and the law say “no” and let this be a lesson to the school and a warning to all other schools to be more vigilant and caring for the welfare of its members.
That the DET now want to appeal must feel like an additional kick in the guts for the poor kid! In this situation, the best (and most noble) response from the DET would be to hand in their robe aswell as the cloak- and say “sorry”..
13 Responses to “School Bullying Case”
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I feel for this boy – the thought of my own young children being bullied at school is one of a growing number of anxieties that keep me awake at night.
However our - meaning society’s - awareness of bullying and it’s “insidious’’ long-term effects is relatively recent. 12 Years ago, when this boy was being bullied, the problem would barely have registered with the public and anti-bullying strategies would not have been at the top of a school’s wish or priority lists.
I can understand why a government, any government, would be wary of compensation payments of this order. There are doubtless many thousands of young adults in a similar boat to this boy. Do we compensate them all and bankrupt today’s education system? Maybe we should. I don’t know.
The majority of schools are only paying lip service to bullying because they have toothless legislation that will not let them punish bullies.
I’m in two minds about this. As a lad I was bullied (by ‘orrible Wilson and his gang) and in turn bullied others (like the time we tied Andrew Stacey to a milk crate with barbed wire). None of us (not even Andrew) ended up with any lasting psychological damage. It was just part of growing up.
Having said that, if this boy has been psychologically damaged then that is obviously wrong and someone should have intervened before it got as bad as it obviously did.
But I don’t think a fine against the school is the best response either. Now schools that identify a problem may take the easy way out in order to avoid a potential fine and simply expel the bully, shifting their problem, and his, onto someone else and so on.
I think for too long bullying is often put into the too hard basket at some schools and is often swept under the carpet or is denied because it interferes with the smooth running of things.
In addition teachers have to cope with so many issues (behavioural, family etc) nowdays that they simple havn’t got sufficient time or expertise to deal with all these things, add to that the parents who will not except responsibility for their childrens actions and/or seem to want to pass the buck on their parental role.
A lot more money needs to be put into schools to empoly welfare officiers/ phsycologists etc and parents need to be made to understand that if they choose to have children then it’s their job to raise them in an appropriate manner.
I agree with you vivavoce but only half-way. Teachers should be paid to teach. Period. They should not be expected to supervise kids outside of lesson hours, to intervene in family crises and to mediate in schoolyard fights. Schools don’t need welfare officers, these already exist in the community. Schools need to concentrate on education. If there is dissent in the classroom it can be dealt with by the teacher. If there is dissent in the schoolyard then it should be dealt with by whoever is employed to maintain order there, someone who is not a teacher but an administrator with the same authority.
Countless teachers have left the profession because it is no longer that. Instead of teaching their time is called upon for all sorts of other extra-curricular activities.
In my day (how I hate to use that expression !) teachers were feared and revered, a curious mixture of awe and respect. Times have changed but what remains constant is the teachers desire to teach, to inform and to enlighten. They need to be given that chance and not encumbered by legal threats that they failed their charges worse than their charge’s parents!
The reality is bullying starts in the home. It’s physical violence or emotional abuse - and it is very, very common. So all those damaged kids out there, 9 times out of 10 their home life is totally dysfunctional. To stop the bullying epidemic, we must build communication skills in families. Family breakdown is becoming more and more common. We must work together to build families, and help prevent breakdown. And unfortunately, we are seeing more and more children with bullying tendencies. Sure, peer influence is powerful, but if you don’t bully, it’s more likely you are a much loved person in a secure and happy family.
dave comes from a broken home. he broke it.
Shame Dave broke the home. Can he fix it?
The day after putting up this post, ACA ran this story and reported that the Howard gov has pledged to inject significant funds in a new Bully Prevention campaign/strategy throughout the education system.
Whoever wins the next election, such a campaign would be long overdue.
Bullying in schools and the workplace has been going on for donkeys years and it will continue to happen - no doubt about it. Family dysfunction has been the single biggest cause of bullying. All families need education of how we relate to each other. I’m happy to see the government acknowledge bullying as a widespread problem but it’s overdue. It’s probably too late for many damaged people out there.
Hannahsgrandpa, I agree with you. When I decided to take up the teaching profession, I intended to be employed for my expertise in Chemistry, Biology and Maths. However, this only makes up a small part of my job role. As a year level co-ordinator most of my day is spent dealing with discipline issues and teaching students how to relate to others in a positive manner. There are too many people today that blame schools and teachers for the lack of respect that children show others. Whereas I believe the onus should be directed to parents and the way they raise their children. Respect for self and others begins in the home. A child that is taught from a young age not to hurt others (emotionally or physically) hopefully will not taunt others. A child that is taught that people are unique and all people should be treated with respect no matter hopefully will not participate in bullying. I agree that a school has a duty of care and should not allow it to happen, however, education starts in the home.
A passage from Frank McCourt from the novel Teacher Man
“I was more than a teacher. And less. In the high school classroom you are a drill sergeant, a rabbi, a shoulder to cry on, a disciplinarian, a singer, a low-level scholar, a clerk, a referee, a clown, a counselor, a dress-code enforcer, a conductor, an apologist, a philosopher, a collaborator, a tap dancer, a politician, a therapist, a fool, a traffic cop, a priest, a mother-father-brother-sister-uncle-aunt, a bookkeeper, a critic, a psychologist, the last straw.”
A very good quote, more than a teacher - and less. It must be heartbreaking for someone in your profession not to be able to do what you want to do, what you are capable of and yet be hamstrung by rules and regs. As consolation, you are not alone in your beliefs and you have the support of many. Good luck with your chosen career Sandra (by the way I found maths naturally easy but could never get my head around chemistry, why was that?).
Im not quite sure if this post is still active, but i just wanted to ask;
Im a 16 year old boy in year 11 at high school, and ive been given the task of writing a short story on an issue concering justice - of any description. Writing a story on crime/punishment/law would put me to sleep so im trying to find a good theme to write about concering social justice. Some incredible story delving into the minds and morals of the bullying and how its related to home life epidemic we find ourselves in.
Any ideas??