I am a witness

[EngTeach]

Last Friday I witnessed a verbal and minor physical assault between another teacher and another person who works in my school. The person who commited the assault is holding a job created just for her by our local assembly woman. The teacher (victim?) always seems to be in one mess or another, but this time was honestly in the right. The security agents seems to have lost their collective memory and do not recall the screaming and that the the teacher asked for help. The incident is on tape and 2 people have viewed the tape and said I AM CLEARLY SEEN ON TAPE. However, the principal will not allow our union rep see the tape and they are saying NO ONE ELSE was on tape. We feel that b/c the "perp" is politically connected, that the secirity team (most of whom aspire to become police officers) were threatened with something. We have police posted in our school who refused to take a statement from the victim, and no one will accept our witness statements. I wish i had not seen this, but feel I must do the right thing. I feel that if the victim persues this there will be very negative results for those of us involved. My principal is extremely vindictive and right now I do not have the strength for a year long battle. Which is of course what they want so we will back down.
It is very distressing that this woman will get away with this b/c of her connections. I also fear "crossing" the security team b/c if I need their assistance they will not come. I have seen a teacher be hurt by students because no one responded to a call for help.

Any advice???? Sorry to ramble.

[thugulike]

What a dilemma. How would you feel if the victim was you? I think you know what you have to do. I have been in a similar situation and was unsure whether to report the incident. I was pressured by other staff and my own husband before deciding that I had to report the incident. What I didn't know was that this was the 3rd complaint against the person and there were immediately dismissed. I know now that I made the right decision. You will have to be strong if you decide to go ahead. Are you a member of the union? If you are then I would speak to them first. Good Luck

[VillageVicar]

Oh My Eng: Sadly, this sounds like so many sad events that occur almost every day throughout the Western world. Indeed, it�s a complex matter. However, there are two things that come to mind immediately: I feel it�s extremely important for you to write copious notes, reflecting what you saw, heard, felt, and fears or concerns you may have had at the time. Particularly, your concerns regarding retribution and the possibility that in the event of an emergency, there might be a deliberate delay in security arriving. And, should you now feel that you may be at risk for any reason, detail steps you�ve taken to ensure you protect your own interests.

The other thing that comes to mind is your union rights. Certainly, I feel this is something your steward should be handling. If she has chosen not to, then it needs to be carried further up the line.

Now, having said this, backing far away from the situation, I would encourage you to reflect on any comments you may have shared with others regarding your belief that the security team collectively would decide not to respond to an emergency involving you. Would it be appropriate to form an opinion that virtually every member of the security team holds no personal values or professionalism? In a courtroom environment, a defence attorney could make quite a meal out of such a statement, turning it around on you, suggesting paranoia, overt discrimination or bias�I�m sure you understand where the thoughts could lead here.

Setting all of this aside, isn�t it tragic that there even needs to be security at a school? I do understand why it�s necessary, but I find it profoundly saddening. It robs dedicated educators of their professionalism and it robs children of their innocence. What those children face today is a looking glass on what we all face in the future.

I wish you well

Fr Bill

[EngTeach]

Thanks to you both. My union steward is wonderful and handling it. I will go foward and have documented everything. I hate this type of politics, but like any large system it is rampant in the school sysytem here. I am off to school now and will see what today holds.

have a good day!

VV- glad to see you back.

[Lil O'lady]

Best of luck Eng - can also recommend you start looking for a job in a decent school that doesn't treat staff or pupils like this. They really do exist. BTW if you can teach in secondary school you will also enjoy the primary schoolexperince - consider re-training / top-up course if necessary to give youself flexibilty

[Whickerman]

The victim in this case needs to go to the nearest police station and make an allegation of assault, and provide your name as a witness. As Fr Bill (great to see him back btw) says, make sure you have all the details written down as memory has a habit of failing. I can't understand why the police in the school (why are there police in the school???) won't take a statement. If this fails, contact the press. There's nothing politicians fear more.