A teenager is suing the state claiming her school failed to protect her from bullies
A teenage girl claims a group of mean girls subjected her to months of merciless bullying, culminating in them punching her in the face. Now she’s suing the state, alleging the school didn’t do enough to prevent the attack.
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A teenager is suing the state claiming she was viciously bullied at school by a group of mean girls who, one on occasion, punched her in the face and circulated video of the attack online.
The 19-year-old was forced to change schools after the violent incident, which followed months of merciless teasing and verbal abuse both in the schoolyard and on social media.
The then year 10 student at Point Cook Senior Secondary College begged school staff to protect her from her five bullies, but instead was merely told to “block them” online and ignore them at school.
The teenager, who the Sunday Herald Sun has chosen not to name, is claiming damages for pain and suffering and loss of “enjoyment of life” caused by negligence of the school.
According to a statement of claim filed in the County Court and obtained by the Sunday Herald Sun, the former schoolgirl alleges she was subjected to repeated swearing, eye rolling, demeaning and derogatory comments and was consistently told to “shut up” by the accused mean girls whenever she spoke.
In November 2016, the teenager reported the bullying to her mother and the school and during a meeting with the deputy principal, was reassured the college would “take measures to investigate the allegations and protect (her) safety”.
But at the beginning of the following school year, the student was again placed in the same class as the alleged ring leader of the group of bullies.
Despite begging her teacher to be moved to into another class, she was told it was too late and the class schedule had already been set.
Just months later during a lunch break, the teen was set upon by the girl, pushed into the side of a classroom and punched in the face, court documents allege.
As a result of the alleged assault, which was filmed by other students and spread quickly on social media, she suffered bruises to her face, neck pain, headaches and dizziness.
Following the incident, she transferred to another high school but was unable to complete her VCE due to her injuries, the writ states.
Legal action, launched by Zaparas Lawyers, claims the school breached its duty of care in when it failed to address the student’s concerns and exposed her a foreseeable and significant risk of injury.
The teen alleges she has also experienced aggravated persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Public liability lawyer, Dylan Walters from Zaparas Lawyers, said schools have “a moral and just obligation to deal with reports of bullying promptly and effectively”.
“Failing in this duty can have serious long term consequences,” Ms Walters said.
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