Throughout his secondary school years, the boy was subjected to bullying and abuse without the abuses being addressed. Now he will receive SEK 90,000 (€7800) in damages from the municipality.
– It feels good that my son now knows he was right all along in what he felt. That there is an authority backing him up, saying this is not how things are done, that this is not okay. In that sense, it’s a victory for us, after all the time that has passed, the boy’s mother told Sydsvenskan.
The pupil, who is now in upper secondary school, will receive SEK 60,000 (€5200) for the violations he was forced to endure and another SEK 30,000 (€2600) for pain and suffering. This is after the Swedish Schools Inspectorate’s Child and School Student Representative (BEO) ruled that the school had not investigated or remedied the violations quickly or adequately.
– We have made this decision because we see that we have failed in the handling of the case. And we strive for a world-class education and a school where you should feel safe, says Viveca S Dahl, head of operations for the primary school in Lund.
“Should have done a thorough investigation”
Among other things, the boy has been subjected to offensive comments, been ostracized and also suffered physical violence – where other students, for example, pushed or hooked him in the school corridors.
In addition to the damages, BEO is also demanding that Lund Municipality ensure that school staff report any future abuse and bullying to the head teacher and that these incidents are taken seriously in the future.
– In light of the information about the student’s vulnerability that has come to light over time, a more comprehensive approach to the student’s school situation should have been taken. A more thorough and cohesive investigation should have been conducted than what was done, says Erica Segerlund, a lawyer at the Child and School Student Representative.