I’m an ER nurse. We are not permitted to keep our phones on us; they must be kept in our lockers. A call is routed to hospital reception via a private line for me. Phone: “Hi, this is (teacher) from (school). There has been an incident involving (daughter). We need you to come inside.” Me: “Is she ill or injured?” “Can it wait until my shift ends in two hours?”
Phone: “Your daughter has struck another student.” We have been attempting to call you for 45 minutes. “It’s serious.” I arrive at the school and am directed to the principal’s office. I saw my daughter, a male teacher, a female counselor, the principal, a boy with bloody nose and a red face, and his parents. Principal: “How kind of you to FINALLY join us!”
Me: “Yeah, things get busy in the emergency room. I spent the last hour providing almost 40 stitches to a seven-year-old who had been beaten by his mother with a metal ladle, followed by dealing with the police. “I apologize for the inconvenience.” After seeing him attempt not to appear ashamed, he tells me what happened. The lad twanged my daughter’s bra, and she hit him twice in the face. I got the idea they were more upset with my daughter than with the kid.
Me: “Oh. And do you want to know if I’m going to file charges against him for sexually assaulting my daughter and against the school for allowing it to happen?” When I mention sexual assault, they all become restless and begin speaking at once. The instructor replied: “I don’t think it was that serious.” Counselor: “Let’s not overreact.” Principal: “I think you’re missing the point.”
The boy’s mother then begins crying. I look to my daughter to learn what happened. Daughter: “He was pinging my bra. I requested him to stop, but he refused, so I informed Mr. (teacher). He instructed me to ‘ignore it.’ (Boy) did it again, unbuttoned my bra, and I hit him. “Then he stopped.” I turn to face the teacher. Me: “You allowed him to do this? Why didn’t you stop him? Come over here and let me to touch the front of your trousers.
Teacher: “What?! No!” Me: “Does that appear inappropriate to you? Why don’t you go and tug on Mrs. (Counselor)’s bra right now? See how enjoyable it is for her. Or on that boy’s mother’s bra. Or mine. Do you think it’s fun because they’re kids?” Principal: “Mrs. (my name).” “With all due respect, (daughter) continues to beat another child.”
Me: “No. She defended herself against a sexual attack by another student. Look at them; he’s a foot taller than her and twice as hefty. How many times should she have let him to touch her? What should she have done if the person who was supposed to aid and protect her in class was unconcerned? “He pulled her bra so hard that it came undone.”
The boy’s mother is still crying, and his father appears angry and humiliated. The teacher will not establish eye contact with me. I look to the principal. Me: “I’m taking her home. I believe the youngster has learned his lesson. And I pray this never happens again, not just to (daughter), but to any other girl at this school.
I was so enraged that I packed my daughter’s belongings and went. I reported it to the superintendent, who told me that it was taken seriously. This story demonstrates how a mother will go to any length to defend her child, and it serves as a poignant reminder that being treated disrespectfully is never acceptable.