In the depths of my existence as an Aquarius woman, a tale unfolds—a narrative that defies the ordinary and beckons courage from the depths of despair. It is a story of profound suffering, of the inescapable grasp of injustice, and an unyielding call for support and action. I, a parent with only the chronicles of life to share, offer you a glimpse into a journey that transcends the realms of imagination.
The year was 2022 when I unearthed a harrowing reality that my 14-year-old daughter was ensnared in the cruel web of child-on-child domestic violence. The revelation sent shockwaves through my soul, awakening an innate need for justice and protection.
As a parent, my first instinct was to seek solace within the comforting walls of her school. I believed they would act swiftly and comprehensively, a steadfast shield guarding my child from the clutches of torment. Little did I know that my expectations would be shattered like fragile glass, replaced by a disinterest in her plight, prioritising compliance with school policies over her well-being.
In February 2022, a malicious message landed in my inbox, bearing the weight of her tormentor's words. Fear surged through my veins, pushing me to call the authorities. But even the police, in a twist of fate, deferred the matter back to the very institution entrusted with her safety. The headlines of that era, echoing the "Everyone's Invited Campaign," had led me to believe that my daughter would find sanctuary within those hallowed halls. Alas, reality painted a different picture.
Instead of protection, she found herself sanctioned and penalised for her trauma—a response not only to relentless abuse but also to the deafening silence she was forced to bear. The silence of those who should have shielded her.
Supporting agencies in place, yet the abuse persisted. And then, the unimaginable occurred. Assault. Mere days after a meeting where a "managed move" was proposed as a solution, the senior leadership nonchalantly declared she was ruining her tormentor's education. My disbelief transcended words.
She stayed away from school for over six weeks, but even when she returned, her voice remained imprisoned by indifference. July 2022 unleashed a wave of race and hate crimes surrounding the assault, met with inaction from both the police and the school. Her six-week respite shattered upon her return in September, as the torment resumed. By October 2022, more crimes were reported, this time, chilling threats linked to the assault.
In October 2022, I embarked on the painful journey of filing a formal complaint, fuelled by the lack of support during each reported incident. The ordeal, which only recently concluded in October 2023, was marked by heartbreak. It was a journey tainted with victim-blaming and falsehoods perpetuated by the school's leadership. Despite irrefutable evidence supporting my concerns, they clung to the belief that my daughter was safe and that their actions had been impeccable. To make matters more unsettling, they kept us in the dark about a police report for stalking, initiated in January 2023.
My desperate pleas for help, echoing through social services, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), and the Local Authority education department, fell on deaf ears. The school's failure to safeguard my daughter cost her 20 months of irreplaceable education.
The statements issued by the school's professionals are deeply disconcerting. Their downplaying of the situation, their victim-blaming stance, and their failure to acknowledge the severe coercive control my daughter endured leave me incredulous. These professionals bear the solemn duty of ensuring the safety and well-being of every child within their care.
The abuse becomes a relentless shadow, even outside the school's walls. In response, I designed a t-shirt, a symbol of resilience and a rallying cry for support, aiming to raise funds for the legal battle ahead. With secured legal aid now in our corner, the need for a campaign has evolved, but the message remains unchanged.
In her name, and in the name of all students who've lost their voices, we shall keep the message alive:
Courage Over Silence – My Voice Counts Too – Loud Voices, Safe Schools.
