Parents threaten leagl action to remove school 'bully'

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Parents threaten leagl action to remove school 'bully'

By Masanauskas From: Herald Sun August 19, 2010 12:00AM

PARENTS of a six-year-old boy may take legal action to remove an alleged bully

who has been tormenting their son in class.

Taner, a pupil at Roxburgh Homestead school, in Melbourne, has allegedly been

kicked, punched, ridiculed and verbally abused by a classmate for several

months.

But Taner's parents, Sue and Cane, yesterday accused the school of failing to

protect him even though staff had admitted the perpetrator was " fixated " on

their son and a psychologist had recommended he be moved.

Sue, who asked that the family's surname not be published, said Taner had become

so distressed by the bullying that he was admitted to hospital after vomiting

and complaining of stomach cramps and breathing problems.

" He said, 'Mum, I can't go to school. Every time I go he's just going to hit me

and hurt me all the time', " she said.

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" He's been kicking him in the legs, punching him in the arms. He's having

nightmares, he's extremely distraught. "

Taner, who is being kept at home, said the attacks made him sad and he hadn't

learnt much this year.

" He hits me every school day. I say, 'Stop it, I don't like it', I give him one

warning and then a second or last warning and then he hits me, " he said.

Sue said the Roxburgh Park school had promised to deal with the issue, but the

attacks had continued. It is believed the alleged bully has autism.

Taner's parents want the other boy removed from the class, but so far the school

has offered only to transfer Taner.

A child psychologist has recommended that Taner remain in his class, but an

Education Department student wellbeing officer has told the parents the alleged

bully will not be moved.

When told that the parents were considering legal action, the officer allegedly

said: " I'll see you in court. " It is believed this has been disputed.

Cane said the school had admitted the alleged bully's fixation on his son, but

the family felt let down by the school and the department.

" We are the victims but we are being made to feel like we're the guilty party, "

he said.

Roxburgh Homestead principal Barb Adam said the school had been dealing with the

issue and wanted to continue talking with both families to resolve it.

" There have been mechanisms that have been put in place to support both

students, " she said. " We're really confident we can resolve this issue but

because it appears to have become a legal matter it would be inappropriate for

the school to comment further. "

The department confirmed it was investigating the matter.

" We're working with both families to resolve the issue, " a spokesman said. " No

bullying is tolerated in our schools. "

Parents spokeswoman Elaine Crowle said there was rarely a win-win

situation in these matters.

" The child and the parents deserve to feel supported by the school and we would

always encourage parents to try and have it handled by the school, " she said.