Lack of action against bullying

Madrid school to pay 40,000 € compensation for case of bullying
It's the highest amount a school has ever had to pay in Spain

A school run by a religious order in Alcorcón has been ordered to pay 40,000 € compensation to the parents of an ex pupil who suffered constant bullying by a group of schoolmates during his primary school studies.

The amount set by First Instance Court No. 44 in the Spanish capital is the highest ever ruled on a Spanish school for a case of bullying.

The court considered there was no record that the directors of the school had spoken with the parents of the children who were involved in the bullying campaign, even though they had been informed of what was happening.

The bullying took place over a period of more than two years, producing in the child, according to a psychological assessment which was presented as evidence in court, chronic post-traumatic syndrome.

It’s understood that the school, which is run by the Congregación Hermanas del Amor de Dios, has already appealed the sentence.


Source: typicallyspanish


What do you think of this case? Should the parents have been awarded such an amount? What should the school have done?

Do you think that schools take the problem of bullying seriously?

Were you bullied at school? Or were you a bully?

Do you have any "bullying stories"?



Comments

Marta said…
I think that bullying must be considered as a serious problem. When first evidences turn up, teachers and directors at schools should act as soon as possible in order to avoid that the situation gets more complicated and difficult to solve.
On the other hand, I reckon that many teachers and parents have not the knowledge and experience to deal with this. But nowadays there are many specialists in this area. I made a course once to deal with bullying at schools which should be compulsory in teacher's background.
(By the way: "Answer tips" new gadget is great!)
Hilde said…
I think bulling is not a current problem. It's the same situation with other name. When I was a child, it used to be agressive classmates and their victims: the fat child or the girl who was wearing glasses.
Graham said…
Hi Marta,

Did you enjoy your day off yesterday? :-)

We have a holiday here on Monday but it looks like it's going to be a wet weekend.

AT THE FIRST SIGN OF A PROBLEM THE teachers and directors of the schools should act in order to avoid the situation from getting more complicated and difficult to solve.

"evidence" is an uncountable noun


On the other hand, I reckon* that many teachers and parents DON'T HAVE the knowledge and experience to deal with this. But nowadays there are many specialists in this area. I DID A COURSE once ON DEALING with bullying at schools, which should be COMPULSORY FOR TEACHERS.

*"reckon" is a very common word but it is informal.

By the way, I have written this with my new iPad, but very slowly because I am not used to it yet.
Graham said…
Hi Hilde,

How are things?

How's your English coming along this year?

Children can be extremely cruel to one another - if a child is on the receiving end of a bully, their life is made a misery and the scars can last through to adulthood.


I think BULLYING is not a new problem. It's the same situation BUT WITH ANOTHER NAME. When I was a child, it used to be agressive classmates and their victims: the fat child or the girl who was wearing glasses.