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Thursday, April 15, 2010
School Bullying and Student Civil Rights
In January, 15-year-old Phoebe Prince of Massachusetts hanged herself at home after texting a friend that she was distraught over weeks of bullying at school. "School has been close to intolerable lately," she told a friend the day before her suicide.
Six students face felony charges in the case. Three 16-year-old girls have been charged as youthful offenders in the case. Felony charges include civil rights violations resulting in bodily injury. Prosecutors have said that Phoebe was bullied for months: the district attorney for her area said last month that the girl had been subjected to "verbally assaultive behavior and threats of physical harm." The superintendent of schools has said that the girl did not inform the school about her situation.
While this case is especially heartbreaking, school systems cannot always be relied on to intervene when students are being bullied. Young people often are reluctant to confide in their parents when facing such issues, yet they are entitled to full legal protection.
The Cochran Firm is committed to the defense of everyone’s civil rights. Crimes such as assault and battery and hate crimes (Phoebe reportedly was called an "Irish slut") are no more acceptable at school than anywhere else in society.
If your child is facing an unpleasant situation at school, and the school is not doing its duty, The Cochran Firm, with its nationwide offices, stands ready to help. Contact us for a free review of the circumstances.
Six students face felony charges in the case. Three 16-year-old girls have been charged as youthful offenders in the case. Felony charges include civil rights violations resulting in bodily injury. Prosecutors have said that Phoebe was bullied for months: the district attorney for her area said last month that the girl had been subjected to "verbally assaultive behavior and threats of physical harm." The superintendent of schools has said that the girl did not inform the school about her situation.
While this case is especially heartbreaking, school systems cannot always be relied on to intervene when students are being bullied. Young people often are reluctant to confide in their parents when facing such issues, yet they are entitled to full legal protection.
The Cochran Firm is committed to the defense of everyone’s civil rights. Crimes such as assault and battery and hate crimes (Phoebe reportedly was called an "Irish slut") are no more acceptable at school than anywhere else in society.
If your child is facing an unpleasant situation at school, and the school is not doing its duty, The Cochran Firm, with its nationwide offices, stands ready to help. Contact us for a free review of the circumstances.
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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 9:43 AM
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