Bullied boy gets 50,000 in compensation
Hamnskolan on Södermalm in Stockholm has been ordered to pay a 9-year-old pupil 50,000 kronor in reparation because it did not take steps to stop abuse he was receiving from other students.
The decision was the first of its kind based on a new anti-bullying law that began April 1 that forces schools to be held responsible for out of control abuse.
According to the report, the victim had been chased with iron pipes and wood sticks by other students. The victim was also kicked and punched in the gut and as a result of the abuse developed emotional problems. The student now goes to another school.
“I think the decision holds a signal to all pre-schools and schools in Sweden that you have to prioritize action against bulying, insulting and discrimination in schools,” said Lars Arrhenius, from child and student representative group BEO.
Arrhenius said the amount is in regards to those acts of violence that took place after the law came into force in April. He said if previous incidents had been considered, the fine would have been different.
The report said the victim was abused mainly by one other student. During the incident in May, the student was hit with a piece of wood while another student stood next to him shouting “again.”
According to BEO, the school had known about the problem, but didn’t do enough to fix the problem, which it is supposed to do. The boy now goes to a different school.
Arrhenius said he didn’t know how the company than runs the privately operated school, Pysslingen Förskolor och Skolor AB, would handle the fine.
“They might say no to the amount and then I have to take it to court,” he said.
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The decision was the first of its kind based on a new anti-bullying law that began April 1 that forces schools to be held responsible for out of control abuse.
According to the report, the victim had been chased with iron pipes and wood sticks by other students. The victim was also kicked and punched in the gut and as a result of the abuse developed emotional problems. The student now goes to another school.
“I think the decision holds a signal to all pre-schools and schools in Sweden that you have to prioritize action against bulying, insulting and discrimination in schools,” said Lars Arrhenius, from child and student representative group BEO.
Arrhenius said the amount is in regards to those acts of violence that took place after the law came into force in April. He said if previous incidents had been considered, the fine would have been different.
The report said the victim was abused mainly by one other student. During the incident in May, the student was hit with a piece of wood while another student stood next to him shouting “again.”
According to BEO, the school had known about the problem, but didn’t do enough to fix the problem, which it is supposed to do. The boy now goes to a different school.
Arrhenius said he didn’t know how the company than runs the privately operated school, Pysslingen Förskolor och Skolor AB, would handle the fine.
“They might say no to the amount and then I have to take it to court,” he said.
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