Bullied teen suspended for not reporting bullying

[ecstatic]

A Lithonia High School student says she was suspended for two days for not reporting that she was being bullied.

Essance McDougald says she told her grandmother to report it instead, since she told teachers about the threats three weeks ago, but they never stopped.

Essance says two older girls locked her in the women’s bathroom at school and tried to fight her three weeks ago.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/grandmother-bullied-teen-suspended-not-reporting-b/nK7xd/

I'm happy they're trying to address bullying, but really? Why is the victim being punished?

[Xipe Totec]

1. Or, more pointedly stated, why is the victim being bullied... again? nt

[Chemisse]

2. IE - School Bullies Bullied Teen

What, does the poor kid have 'kick me' attached to her back?

[Fumesucker]

3. From the article..

When Lucie contacted the DeKalb County School District, a spokesman said, “The relationship between this student and another has been going on for some weeks and months now. We’ve had numerous mediations to clear it up, and it’s a mutual dispute between both of them. We will continue to have mutual mediations to de-escalate the situation.”

A lot of bullies are superlative con men (and women) and are adept at making the victim look like the aggressor.

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Exactly. My son is in middle school. His principal is a "boys will be boys"

type when it comes to bullying. His thought process is that boys love to scuffle.

[alp227]

18. Who's the principal, Michael Savage?

(if you don't want to listen basically Savage said that bullying should be something that empowers not victimizes youth. more info here.)

[treestar]

14. That's true. I've seen it a couple of times in Family Court

With the help of the "tough" and "talented" lawyer, the battered wife can be the one found to be the abuser.

[ananda]

4. If you read what she said..

.. she DID report it. Adults simply didn't take action.

[exboyfil]

6. This is the best reason for open enrollment/virtual schools/

homeschooling. In general any opportunities which allow students the opportunity to escape being caged with bullies. I almost committed suicide when I was a child because of the never ending bullying. I keep up with what happens with my children, and I have already told the administration that I view a physical act against my daughters as a battery, and I will involve the police and courts as necessary.

[leftofcool]

9. Virtual high schools are becoming quite popular and seem to be doing a good job

[moriah]

7. A girl pushed me into playground equipment, broke my arm.

I didn't fight back. They were afraid I was going to have to have surgery -- the bone was shattered.

Mom went to the school and demanded she be disciplined. They said their policy for "fighting" meant that I would be suspended, too. Even though I didn't encourage it or fight back.

----

But in this case, she DID report it, it was just ignored. People are nuts.

[HughBeaumont]

8. Ah, school.

What wistful memories I have of school and the hands-washing adults that wouldn't help me at all.

[tularetom]

10. They won't realize they have a problem

Until this girl comes back to school with a firearm and blows away the bully and a couple other kids.

[eShirl]

13. +1

[Kurmudgeon]

15. +2

[RebelOne]

17. I had a friend who's son was bullied in school.

He was only 15 years old. Yeah, he went to school with a firearm, but didn't shoot anyone but himself. He was bullied because he was overweight. He took his father's .22 to school, then stood up in class and said, "I'm not going to take it anymore." He then shot himself in the head, and was killed instantly.

[snooper2]

11. Poor girl, and on top of that her mom named her like a perfume

But of course, let's be all cute and change the words up

[izquierdista]

12. Time to sue the school

School officials are almighty when they apply their zero-thinking policies, but they sing a completely different tune after they are handed a summons and complaint. Then they can't backpedal fast enough, and want the thing dropped as quick as possible so the meter on the legal counsel will quit running.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. I hate to say it, normal response from admins

blame the victim. And in this case, also punish the victim.