Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Road Rage - a brief update

In case you were wondering, this situation is ongoing.

I still don't want to say more right now in case it's perceived as prejudicing the investigation.

Many thanks to those of you who have commented and others who have emailed me.
Your support is greatly appreciated.

If a point comes when we decide to go public, I promise to post the details here first.

18 comments:

Sarah Salway said...

No bullying should ever be tolerated. When it comes from adult to child, it's worse. I can only hope that no other adult would think of doing anything other than protecting the child's interest here. I bet if it's happened once, it's happened before. Good on you for showing your children - and others too, I bet - that with authority should come respect, on both sides.

Elizabeth Baines said...

All bullying is horrendous, adult bullying of children is outrageous and institutionalized bullying - which is what a school backing a bullying teacher constitutes - is the most reprehensible of wrongs. Those with the power and remit to protect children's interests must act to do so, and this applies to both parents and schools. Please be in no doubt that I consider it a gravely serious situation when anyone abuses this sacred responsibility, and good for you for standing up for this.

Debi said...

Knowing I have this kind of support and encouragement is hugely heartening. Thanks to you both.

emma darwin said...

Yes, all power to your elbow. A teacher who bullies a child, in front of other children, is not only behaving as no adult should, but also teaching the children in his care that behaviour like that is acceptable, and even admirable.

It's a shocking situation and I hope very much that justice is done, publicly and soon.

Anonymous said...

As a former victim of bullying by a teacher (in addition to bullying by other children), none of which was ever acted upon or even spoken about, I wholeheartedly support you in this. ~Miriam

Queenie said...

What Sarah, Elizabeth and Emma said. I have nothing to add except to say that you have my full support, not to mention some big regal hugs.

Queenie said...

And Miriam! She snuck in there while I was thinking!!

Debi said...

I hope you ALL know how much difference it makes knowing we have this kind of support.

Kate said...

How awful - am wishing you lots of love

Kate x

meg said...

hi deb - left a message on the previous post. i think we need to talk. xx

Anonymous said...

I find the comments on this and the previous blog absolutely terrifying. It may well be that a dreadful wrong has occurred but no details of the 'assault' have been given by Debi. Nevertheless you're all rushing to judgement and are willing to string the alleeged perpetrator up without having the least idea what actually happened. Do you really think that the alleged perpetrator has no right to present a defense? (previous post). What happened to the hard won principles of freedom, justice and the right to a fair trial? If Debi's children have really been abused then that is dreadful and I hope the perpetrator is brought to justice. But the word is justice, not trial by lynch mob.
God, I hope I never havev to live in your brave new world.
Joan

Dave said...

How great that you are taking this stand. Shame there aren't more like you.

Debi said...

Joan - the comments you are referring to are made by people who have other knowledge than I have given here in this public arena.

I'm afraid - and very disappointed - that you too are jumping to conclusions. No one here has suggested lynching this man. Instead they are all supporting me in my pursuit of justice, which we are doing in a very measured fashion.

Beleaguered Squirrel said...

This is absolutely appalling. I hope you get somewhere with this, as they really shouldn't be allowed to get away with it.

Debi said...

In case it's not absolutely clear, I should say that when I say 'pursuit of justice' I am referring to our attempts to secure a full and inedpendent inquiry, in the course of which this teacher would most certainly have the opportunity to state his case.

My apologies to those of you here who have supported us in this aim and whose support has been so misrepresented in Joan's comment.

Anonymous said...

I will e mail Debi privately about this but here I just want to say that what I was responding to was the complete sbsence of hard information about the nature and seriousness of this incident. I think it's completely wrong to invite 'support' without giving the facts and that that is exactly what does invite a 'mob' mentality and the way lynchings start. You only have to reflect on history.
But what I was really responding to was a comment on the original post from someone who was 'appalled' (I think that was the word, I haven't checked back)that the perpetrator was making and being allowed to make a defence. Debi didn't endorse that but she didn't come back and deny it either. And that made me frightened. I just think it was a huge mistake to say anything at all about this until the case is settled, then she could have given the full facts and you could have offered her all the support in the world as I would have too. If the boys have been harmed I am desperately sorry. But until I know the scope and extent and context of the harm I don't know how to react. And neither does anybody else.
Joan

Debi said...

It is my belief that that comment is based on a misunderstanding of the comment referred to.

We can continue this conversation by email.

Liane Spicer said...

I'm so sorry you've having to go through this, Debi. My thoughts are with you and the boys.