Feature Article March 28, 2002
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Interview with the parents of the boy abused in Veronaby David BrisonLast week, in a feature story, Three boys convicted of assault at Prince Charles in Verona, we reported on the response to the stories of abuse that came out after the trial of the three boys. The most common response of the public is: "How could the school not have known what was happening, and why didnt they do something to stop it?"
This past week, I interviewed the parents of the victim, now a 15-year-old boy. The parents, who came to the area three years ago from a community near Toronto, are clearly angry at what they interpret to be the failure of the school to respond when their child was being tormented on the schoolyard during lunch and recess, and hung on a hook in the hallway (not in the classroom, as reported last week). However, the boys mother is also upset that she didnt act sooner to protect her child.
She had noticed bruises on her son in unusual places, the back of the calf and his neck, and when she questioned her son about it, he said only that he was playing rough in school with the other kids. She told him that he might get hurt and she didnt want him doing that any more. In effect, she admonished him for something that wasnt under his control. Of course she didnt know that at the time, and for good reason. Her son didnt want her to know. He didnt want her to think that he couldnt handle problems himself, and probably didnt want her to know that he wasnt getting along with the other kids in school.
This response of her son, Dont worry, Mom, I can handle it, persisted right up to the time that she noticed marks on his arms and asked what they were. He got very upset and told her they were bite marks. He admitted that he got them at school from other boys. He still wanted his mother to stay away from the school and not intervene on his behalf.
The next day, after talking with her own mother, who took pictures of the bite marks, she did go to school with her son and talked with the vice principal. According to her, one of the boys who was ultimately convicted of assault, saw them in the office, went back to his classroom and told another boy, who then knocked on the office door. After he found out that the bite marks had already been discussed, which he allegedly was involved in, he urged the victim, Tell them the rest. The victim then revealed some of the other abuse that had taken place over the course of the year such as kicking, piling on him, punching him in the stomach, and throwing him in the compost pile.
According to the mother, the vice principal said that the police could be called in to scare the boys, or it could be handled in school. The mother initially thought that it should be handled in school, but when she went home that night, she realized that it had already gone too far, and called the police.
The parents both say that they think the abuse could have been stopped if the school had been aware of what was going on, and done something before it escalated.
They say that there were a series of incidents that should have been early warnings. First, the boys jacket was taken at recess. He reported it to the playground supervisor, evidently a volunteer, who tried to get it back, but couldnt until the end of recess. When it was returned, it was ripped. The parents said that nothing was done to the boy who had taken the jacket and ripped it. In another incident, the boys face was written on when it was first noted by a teacher, he had the boy who had done it write lines and removed at recess. That boy did not do it again or allegedly participate in the abuse. However, the second time that a teacher noticed the boys face was written on, the perpetrator received no consequences. A calculator was taken by a group of kids and broken again there were no consequences. Finally, the parents find it hard to believe that their son could have been hung on a hook in the hallway and not noticed and dealt with many children saw it and some were very disturbed.
The picture that the parents paint one of violence that escalates when children realize that there is not going to be any consequences, and the resulting fear on the part of the victim that he is not going to be protected by the legitimate authority of the school, is consistent with explanations of how violence can escalate very quickly when a few individuals perceive that no action will be taken.
The parents clearly do not think that the school has responded sympathetically or shown concern since the abuse was revealed. They say that the first call they had from school administrators or teachers was the one they received from Barry OConnor following the trial two years after the abuse had occurred. OConnor offered support at the high school in terms of a teacher who would assist their son, and counselling.
Two girls from the school, who had observed the abuse, voluntarily came forth as witnesses. The parents are very appreciative for their cooperation
On the other hand, they have nothing but praise for OPP officers Bob Abrams and Jim Morris, who conducted the investigation. They periodically call even now just to see how their son is doing. They also say that Janet Lee, the witness co-ordinator with the Crowns office, was very helpful in preparing their son for the trial and cross-examination by three lawyers. She also has shown a personal interest in their son and has been very supportive.
Next week, we will have an interview with the victim of the abuse. In subsequent stories, we want to examine the issue of school bullying from the perspective of the school and the community.
