An 11-year-old trans child was allegedly physically assaulted by a fellow student at a school in Massachusetts.
The alleged assault against the student occurred at a school in Malborough on 4 September.
According to the victim’s father, a student began hurling transphobic slurs and insults before physically attacking them.
The student, who had facedbullyingover their gender identity for years, had recently moved to the area and hoped to avoid further abuse.
“We were hoping this year, new school, hopefully a new crowd of people, and somehow the second week of school, this kid found my child and caught them in the hallway and openly sideswiped them and started assaulting them,” the father told Boston25 News.
After the alleged assault, the student yelled that the 11-year-old was “not good at being a boy” and “shouldn’t be one ever.”
Their father picked them up from school early following the alleged assault, and kept them home for the rest of the day.
“Seething, seething,” the father said. “I mean I went so angerly down to the school and I started yelling and rightfully so, it’s not fair that this is happening.”
He was reportedly told that, because of Massachusetts law on criminal responsibility, he couldn’t press charges because both students are only 11.
In a statement, Marlborough Public Schools said it could not provide further details about the incident, but that it is “committed to promoting an inclusive environment.”
“We do not tolerate bullying or harassment based on gender identity or expression, physical appearance, sex, sexual orientation or any other actual or perceived differentiating characteristics,” they told local news outlets.
“We have clear procedures in place for reporting discrimination, bullying and harassment. These procedures are shared with all staff, parents and students at the beginning of each school year and are also available on our website. All reports are investigated promptly, and we communicate our findings while ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of all individuals involved.”
The victim’s father says he was told by the school’s principal that the pair wouldn’t cross paths anymore. Should a similar incident occur, he says he plans to file discrimination charges with the state of Massachusetts.
“My child used to love school and now they don’t even look forward to going,” he said. “It’s a fight every day to get them to go. It’s a fight every morning to get them to get dressed to go to school because what do they have to look forward to? More being made fun of? More being assaulted? More of the school not doing anything?”
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