Victim of school bullying launches compensation claim against local council
A woman in Scotland has launched a legal bid to sue her local authority after enduring years of bullying at school, claiming that not enough was done to help or protect her from her abusers.
Rhona Wands, now 22, has alleged that teachers and management at Fife Council ignored her torment at Markinch Primary School and Auchmuty High School. She insists the ongoing abuse – which started at the age of four – forced her to leave school early and obtain tuition at home.
Miss Wands is now seeking compensation for the physical injuries and emotional harm she suffered during her school years as well as the effect the bullying had on her academic achievements.
The claimant and her parents argue that no action was taken against the pupils who bullied her, regardless of several written complaints and numerous meetings with the headmaster at Markinch Primary.
Her parents claim that their daughter would return home from school having suffered various injuries, including scratches, pulled hair and even bruises from beatings. In one instance, when Auchmuty High appointed an older pupil as a “befriender” to look after her, the protector led the girl into an ambush where she was attacked by a gang of girls.
Lawyers for Fife Council argue that the authority dealt with every allegation properly, both directly and through its employees. They also insist that Miss Wands was “a part of the problem” and behaved disobediently to staff.
Sheriff George Way has suggested that the case is suitable for counsel and has called for a further court hearing to take place at a later date.