UPDATE: The victim’s mother has confirmed two girls have been arrested.
MISSION (NEWS 1130) — Parents in Mission are horrified and disgusted by an incident of bullying at a local school that was captured on video, showing other students cheering in the background. The assault has sparked an investigation by the district and police.
The video, taken on Monday and shared on social media, shows two girls kicking and punching a teen as they sit defenseless on the ground at École Heritage Park Middle School.
Angus Wilson, superintendent of the Mission Public School District, is promising severe consequences for the students involved in the attack.
“It’s really upsetting as a father myself,” he tells NEWS 1130. “It is a really horrific attack, a terrible one that is being treated accordingly by both the RCMP and the school district.”
He says as all schools do, Heritage deals with ongoing bullying. However, he adds they’re looking at making changes, such as adding additional staffing and mental health supports.
“Seeing this kind of action is absolutely hideous and horrendous,” Wilson says. “The other thing I think about is the long-term effect for the victim.”
The victim identifies as a non-binary lesbian. While he couldn’t get into the specifics, Wilson says those looking into the matter have a good understanding of what happened, and there is a deeper investigation into the bystanders who stood by and watched.
“They are part of the issue, as well.”
Earlier reports had indicated that Wilson appeared to have blamed this incident of bullying — and others — on the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he claims that’s not what he meant.
“I don’t think COVID directly plays into this incident, per se,” he says. “A number of principals have observed more behaviours out on the playing fields at elementary and middle schools over the past six months and that may be connected to that.”
Type of violence happening for years, advocates say
In a letter to the Mission School Board and to Wilson, Pflag Vancouver says there is nothing new about what is shown in the video.
“Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students have suffered this type of abuse on the playground since playground existed,” writes Colin McKenna, Pflag president.
“I know that most folks who watch this video are disturbed by it, but I know members of the LGBTQ community are re-traumatized by it each time it’s aired. We have lived this first-hand, and we want to see leaders like you take a firm stand to make it stop.”
Pflag has also highlighted Wilson’s comments about COVID-19 and bullying. In the letter, McKenna says, “Perhaps you were not a gay kid growing up in 1980s Langley, or I suspect your response to this crisis may have been slightly different. I can’t stress this enough: There is nothing new about what you are seeing in that video.”
The letter goes on to say that, “Perhaps bullying is more prevalent during a pandemic.” However, McKenna questions whether “this the best approach to take when dealing with the issue.”
B.C. Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside says she is aware of the incident, saying they are fully cooperating with the police investigation. She says she has asked her ministry to give the school district, students and staff all the supports — adding that students deserve to be safe and welcomed at school.
I am aware of a disturbing allegation of assault involving students in Mission. Students deserve to be safe & welcomed at school.
— Jennifer Whiteside (@JM_Whiteside) January 14, 2021
I have directed the Ministry to provide all supports necessary to the school district, students and staff. Police are appropriately investigating and we are cooperating fully. I remind students they can anonymously report bullying on erase https://t.co/BVmVOus879
— Jennifer Whiteside (@JM_Whiteside) January 14, 2021
Meanwhile, a drive-thru rally in support of the victim is being planned for Sunday.
