CORNER BROOK A 13-year-old boy was still being treated for head injuries at Western Memorial Regional Hospital on Friday following an alleged assault by another boy near Presentation Junior High on Thursday.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary did not have any information on the extent of the injuries suffered by the boy.
Police were informed of the attack by one of the boy’s parents at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The parent told police the boy had been assaulted at about 12:30 p.m. and had been taken to hospital.
The suspect in the attack is believed to be another 13-year-old boy and the victim and suspect are known to one another.
Police say their investigation is at the preliminary stage and more information will be provided as it continues.
On Friday afternoon the boy’s mother told police she expected her son may be released today.
Meanwhile, the Western School District confirmed that the incident involved Presentation Junior High.
However, Eugene May, education officer for student support services, would not provide any other details.
He said the board does not speak to specific incidents.
“An incident occurred that has been reported to the RNC and the school is involved in investigating and following up on the situation,” said May.
May said the board is carrying out its own investigation, but would only speak in general terms as to what that involved.
“When these things occur, the first thing we want to find out is about whether people are safe,” said May.
“Make sure everybody is safe and make sure everybody is taken care of, both, first and foremost, the victim and any aggressors or aggressor that would have been involved.”
May said the board will also gather reports on all the individuals involved and check to see if there is any history of similar incidents involving the aggressor.
Once the investigation piece is completed the board will then determine what course of action it can take.
“Deciding what we’re going to be doing in a sense of the person involved,” he said. “What’s going to happen to that person.”
May said that decision depends on the nature of the incident.
“If it’s serious, then there will be serious consequences.”
Consequences can include suspension, extended suspension and removal from school. In some cases, May said, the board will look at providing education at an alternate site.
The aggressor could also be required to participate in any counselling or medical intervention the board determines is needed.
Then there is also the legal consequences the aggressor could face and May said the board supports legal authorities in dealing with these things.
I'm sure there is a lot more to be done than is being done. This bullying thing is getting way out of hand and those that are doing the bullying should be identified to the rest of the student body, the parents of those students and the rest of the public. We are doing more to protect these people than punish them. This young boy was serious enough to be admitted to hospital, so what happens the next time, someone actually gets killed. More needs to be done and it needs to start NOW!!!