Shonette Deamil, a mother of six who re-migrated from Venezuela to Guyana, wants stricter safety measures in schools after her 13-year-old daughter was attacked and beaten by at least two other students.
The incident, which was captured on video, took place at the Linden Foundation Secondary School last Thursday.
Deamil told the News Room that both of her daughters, who are enrolled at the school, are subjected to persistent bullying. She believes the harassment is due to their Venezuelan nationality.
Disturbing footage, viewed by the News Room, shows the young girl being violently assaulted while several students cheered, clapped, and recorded the incident.
Initially, one student attacked the 13-year-old, but a second female student joined later. It was only when what appeared to be a security guard intervened that the onslaught ceased.
Throughout the video, one student can be heard shouting, “We catching it live,” while others use inappropriate language to egg on the attackers.
The 13-year-old is now terrified of returning to school, prompting her mother to call for immediate action.
Deamil has suggested mandatory bag checks at the school gate to prevent dangerous items from being brought in and wants access to the school compound to be restricted to parents and guardians only.
“Before they go into school, each child’s bag needs to be checked at the gate. If they have sewing kits, they can leave their scissors with the teachers, so nobody is carrying them in their bags,” Deamil explained.
The bullying incident, which was reportedly triggered by a dispute involving her daughter’s friend, has left the young girl with bruises, difficulty walking, and severe pain in the head.
“She couldn’t walk properly, she started vomiting blood, and she was hit in the head and all over her body,” her mother explained.
Deamil filed a report with the police and welfare authorities, and the students responsible for the attack have been suspended.
“I could have been home and received a phone call to come and claim my daughter’s body—so it is not safe to send my children to school,” Deamil said.
She also voiced concerns over the safety of other Venezuelan students in schools across the country and hopes this incident will spur much-needed change. Recently, another Venezuelan student was attacked in Bartica, Region Seven.
“My children go to school to learn and avoid trouble. I tell them to focus on their education, not to fight or provoke anyone,” Deamil added.
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