Racism at school
Discussion
Bit of a tricky one, and I'd appreciate some advice please.
Within my extended family, we have a Thai girl, 13 years old. She has lived here for about six years. She speaks both Thai and English perfectly. Let's call her K.
She has been subject to bullying at school, which includes racial taunts (go back to your own country, comments about her looks etc). This has been increasing and the school has been less than helpful. The bullying comes from one group of girls of similar age.
Recently K was invited to a party. She got there to find there was no party just these girls who ambushed her, throwing things at her and shouting more racial abuse. This was videoed and posted on Facebook. One of the girl's mothers can been seen joining in. We have a copy of the video.
The school's response to this was to say to call the police, which has been done. The girls have also been suspended.
What happens now? What might the police or school do? K is almost certainly going to go to another school when she returns in September, but this isn't completely certain.
Thanks.
Within my extended family, we have a Thai girl, 13 years old. She has lived here for about six years. She speaks both Thai and English perfectly. Let's call her K.
She has been subject to bullying at school, which includes racial taunts (go back to your own country, comments about her looks etc). This has been increasing and the school has been less than helpful. The bullying comes from one group of girls of similar age.
Recently K was invited to a party. She got there to find there was no party just these girls who ambushed her, throwing things at her and shouting more racial abuse. This was videoed and posted on Facebook. One of the girl's mothers can been seen joining in. We have a copy of the video.
The school's response to this was to say to call the police, which has been done. The girls have also been suspended.
What happens now? What might the police or school do? K is almost certainly going to go to another school when she returns in September, but this isn't completely certain.
Thanks.
How awful that people can behave in such a manner in this day and age 
I'm glad to hear that the girls responsible have been suspended, disgusted that a parent is also involved and hopefully they will all be dealt with appropriately by the police. I have no doubt this is some sort of isolated attitude with these individuals and a change of school will lead to no such problems. It's a shame it has to come to that though.
I'm glad to hear that the girls responsible have been suspended, disgusted that a parent is also involved and hopefully they will all be dealt with appropriately by the police. I have no doubt this is some sort of isolated attitude with these individuals and a change of school will lead to no such problems. It's a shame it has to come to that though.
Wow, nice kids.
What have the police said to you? Its clear that its a racist incident so in my force that means it is monitored by the duty inspector and all allegations are dealt with quickly.
Have the police been out to see you? The normal process would involve obtaining as much evidence as they can so statements from the girl and any other people who have seen it. They will also need a copy of the video and the details of the school staff who can help.
The 'offenders' will then be interviewed about it all.
I hope the girls OK.
What have the police said to you? Its clear that its a racist incident so in my force that means it is monitored by the duty inspector and all allegations are dealt with quickly.
Have the police been out to see you? The normal process would involve obtaining as much evidence as they can so statements from the girl and any other people who have seen it. They will also need a copy of the video and the details of the school staff who can help.
The 'offenders' will then be interviewed about it all.
I hope the girls OK.
It is a shame that it is K who has to change schools and not the offenders. I can see why she might not want to return of course.
Is there an ongoing dialogue with the school? If not, do you think it might be helpful?
If K wants to move schools then pressure from them might smooth the transition.
The mother who took part in the assault might well find herself in serious trouble. Let's hope so.
How repellent though.
Spike Milligan was being interviewed on TV and told a story of one of his children being abused in Oz for being a Pom. The abuse was similar to that K suffered. His child was confused and upset and asked why he was being picked on. The interviewer, Eamon Andrews I seem to remember, was expecting some homily when he asked Spike what he had said.
"Some people are just f
kers," he said. "There's little you can do but feel sorry for them."
Sums it up for me.
Poor kid.
Is there an ongoing dialogue with the school? If not, do you think it might be helpful?
If K wants to move schools then pressure from them might smooth the transition.
The mother who took part in the assault might well find herself in serious trouble. Let's hope so.
How repellent though.
Spike Milligan was being interviewed on TV and told a story of one of his children being abused in Oz for being a Pom. The abuse was similar to that K suffered. His child was confused and upset and asked why he was being picked on. The interviewer, Eamon Andrews I seem to remember, was expecting some homily when he asked Spike what he had said.
"Some people are just f
kers," he said. "There's little you can do but feel sorry for them."Sums it up for me.
Poor kid.
See what happens with the Police and school first but in my experience it won't be much ( put pressure on the Police to charge them!).
What the guy above says is right publish the video. Local or even national press coverage will hopefully have the same sort of effect as happened to the lady that shoved that cat in a bin.
Good Luck!
What the guy above says is right publish the video. Local or even national press coverage will hopefully have the same sort of effect as happened to the lady that shoved that cat in a bin.
Good Luck!
If it's outside of School and not to and from school it leaves the school with fewer options.
Schools do have specific officer (CYPOs) who would likely still be interested if a lot of the behaviour is within the school. It may be worth asking the school who this officer is and then it's more likely to be coherent and connected. Racial crimes tend to have a higher degree of scrutiny (as a product of failings like Stephen Lawrence) so I would think it'll be taken seriously. Video evidence will put certain aspects beyond dispute.
It fundamentally depends on what crimes are there. It sounds more likely to be low-level public order (section 5 public order act). An assessment of what there is is the starting point. The police will need to speak to your relative and if a formal account is required that would require a video interview, which is, as the name suggests, a visually recorded statement. An adult would need to be present, too. If may be a brief written account is taken at the first stage.
If there are crimes, the children would need to be interviewed and likely be eligible for a Youth Caution, where various things can be put in place to stop the behaviour: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/youth-c...
The parent is an adult but is still eligible for an adult caution https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/simple-...
Cautions depend on any previous convictions and whether or not the offence is admitted.
A link from the CPS: http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_to_r/racist_and_reli...
Schools do have specific officer (CYPOs) who would likely still be interested if a lot of the behaviour is within the school. It may be worth asking the school who this officer is and then it's more likely to be coherent and connected. Racial crimes tend to have a higher degree of scrutiny (as a product of failings like Stephen Lawrence) so I would think it'll be taken seriously. Video evidence will put certain aspects beyond dispute.
It fundamentally depends on what crimes are there. It sounds more likely to be low-level public order (section 5 public order act). An assessment of what there is is the starting point. The police will need to speak to your relative and if a formal account is required that would require a video interview, which is, as the name suggests, a visually recorded statement. An adult would need to be present, too. If may be a brief written account is taken at the first stage.
If there are crimes, the children would need to be interviewed and likely be eligible for a Youth Caution, where various things can be put in place to stop the behaviour: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/youth-c...
The parent is an adult but is still eligible for an adult caution https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/simple-...
Cautions depend on any previous convictions and whether or not the offence is admitted.
A link from the CPS: http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_to_r/racist_and_reli...
Sounds like potential aggravated assault and harassment.
I would get the police involved, and depending on how serious I would be considering seeking injunctive relief against the racist little scum and their mother. I would certainly write to the mother and advise that an injunction is being considered and follow the pre-action protocol for doing so.
I would get the police involved, and depending on how serious I would be considering seeking injunctive relief against the racist little scum and their mother. I would certainly write to the mother and advise that an injunction is being considered and follow the pre-action protocol for doing so.
Awful situation. I agree with others on involving the police. Clearly crimes have been committed.
Another strand might be to approach the education authorities (whoever they are) and/or the school and request details of their anti-bullying policy. They should (I think) also have something like "race equality impact statement" or some such policy. Sorry not to be clearer but I'm a bit rusty on this stuff.
Horrible situation but it sounds as though she might be better off away from this particular school.
Another strand might be to approach the education authorities (whoever they are) and/or the school and request details of their anti-bullying policy. They should (I think) also have something like "race equality impact statement" or some such policy. Sorry not to be clearer but I'm a bit rusty on this stuff.
Horrible situation but it sounds as though she might be better off away from this particular school.
JumboBeef said:
Recently K was invited to a party. She got there to find there was no party just these girls who ambushed her, throwing things at her and shouting more racial abuse. This was videoed and posted on Facebook. One of the girl's mothers can been seen joining in. We have a copy of the video.
The lack of intelligence of some people beggars belief. Unfortunately they have a propensity to breed (as seems to be the case here).Eclassy said:
Elroy Blue said:
The Crown Prosecution Service decide if people get charged, not the Police.
CPS is an independent public authority responsible for PROSECUTING people who have been CHARGED by the police with a criminal offence.Eclassy said:
Elroy Blue said:
The Crown Prosecution Service decide if people get charged, not the Police.
CPS is an independent public authority responsible for PROSECUTING people who have been CHARGED by the police with a criminal offence.Eclassy said:
CPS is an independent public authority responsible for PROSECUTING people who have been CHARGED by the police with a criminal offence.
You should try reading further than the first line of the website you are cutting and pasting from save you make a fool of yourself The website Eclassy read the first line of a bit further down said:
Once the police have completed their investigations, they will refer the case to us for advice on how to proceed in all but the most minor and routine cases. We will then make a decision on whether a suspect should be charged, and what that charge should be.
Cat
The school has a duty to the pupils to ensure that this sort of behaviour isn't allowed. Have they given any indication as to how they are handling the incident/ongoing behaviour? They should, at the least, be reminding the school as a whole about this sort of behaviour and how it's not acceptable. And ideally sitting down with the tutor groups and providing more targeted advice and exploring the issues. Obviously the girls who have been suspended are being dealt with - but are there others?
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