Why are schools so loath to punish bullies?

Post Reply New Topic

Good points. Interesting, but in the USA (& I'm sure close in other part of the western world), only about 97% of discrimination cases are actually proven to be discrimination. Of course, we understand discrimination is very real! Even the courts concur. But the dilemma is proving it. Indeed, it's practically impossible to prove discrimination, even if it's blatant. Very analogous to bullying. Bullies (& bigots) are keen on hiding it - that is in fact the tactic! Instead, such discrimination cases are built on personal inury - then the victim can win.

In schools though, or many/most workplaces, even heineous bullying cases are dismissed as merely nuisance - that's unforgivable and the damage to the victim can be incalculable over time. (Ahem, guess I'm 'preaching the choir' here).

IMO, from what I've learned/observed, if I were to advise someone (i.e. a parent who's concerned about their child being bullied), I'd say if it's been addressed with the school and authorites to no resolution, it's time to relocate to another school or even another town/city. I know this is not always "practical," but it must be seriously considered. I know of cases where parents instead have dealt with the inconsumable grief of finding their child's dead body from the torment of bullying. One case I read about said the parents had tremendous guilt from doing so little - if they'd truly known they would have left immediately, for the safety and wellbeing of their child, then filed legal charges. Enough said. For schools/teachers, etc. wake up! Are you asking for a lawsuit?? I understand with the Phoebe Prince case, the bullies were actually charged with murder afterward.

About bullies? Well, who cares? I'm with auntblabby on this one: desposited on a deserted island someplace in the middle of the ocean. Move 'em out.

When I was five, I was physically and emotionally abused by a gang of twelve and thirteen year olds. When I reported this, my teacher simply said "do not tell tales"! My Mum demanded a meeting with the headmistress who had the nerve to say "Nonsense, I know those boys and they are very nice". She also said "he does have AS, isn't it possible he could have misunderstood all this?"

I am very fortunate in that the school I attend now takes every form of bullying (particularly of autistics/aspies) very seriously. I was called names, followed around and socially excluded. This was considered serious enough to warrant a meeting with the perpetrators and their parents and to issue them all with a formal warning. Some may say this was harsh, but that was two years ago and no one has tried to bully me since!