If we ever needed a wake-up call about the problem of bullying – we now have it. In a sickening case of “happy slapping” a large number of youths repeatedly beat and humiliated another student at MCAST. They recorded the sickening attacks, cackling with mirth and glee at what they were doing – then luckily were stupid and dense enough to post the recorded footage on the website “Youtube”.
This student did not provoke his attackers in any form or manner, the only thing he did was try to stand his ground and presumably get to his class on time – only to be beaten, punched, kicked and repeatedly humiliated in front of other students.
The authorities said they had identified the aggressors and had informed the police so as to ensure appropriate action is taken against them. One hopes that they are suitably punished, both according to law and by the college itself. One only needs to watch the sickening videos to establish that this was a very serious and systematic case of bullying. Such behaviour warrants expulsion from the college. It is clear that these stupid little boys are a law unto themselves as is evidenced in the footage when a student tries to defend the victim and they turn on him to.
One can only hope that they now feel even just a small measure of the terror they inflicted on their victim knowing that they will face criminal investigation as well as disciplinary proceedings at the college. One also hopes that their parents will have something to say about the matter.
Speaking about MCAST itself – one hopes that this is an isolated case – but the college would do well to carry out an internal investigation to see what else these, and perhaps other bullies have done.
Unfortunately, wherever one is in the world – bullying will always be present. From junior school, right up to the adult world of work. It is present at all times. But MCAST and other colleges and educational institutions must look into the matter further. These colleges are set up to allow everyone a better chance in life – they are state funded and are there to offer opportunities to all.
Having watched the sickening treatment dished out to the poor young chap in those videos, many would wonder whether they could personally tolerate going through that everyday. One would have to say that a substantial amount of people would probably drop out of school. So what can be done? Peer pressure at that age is a very dangerous thing. Students who might be sickened by what they saw might be so frightened that they might fake finding it funny so they are not targeted by the abusers.
Many will not come forward and report the issue to their lecturers for fear of being branded a grass (informant), a sissy or even worse – they might fear being beaten even more.
The college itself cannot really be blamed – you cannot have security at all times in corridors … Or can you? The idea of CCTV in school corridors and classrooms does not seem feasible. But how about the stationing of specially employed people to just watch the corridors and do rounds? We know that several government workers need redeploying and perhaps jobs could be created for these people by setting up such schemes.
Whatever the case, one hopes that the safety of the victim in this case is provided for – we all know that testosterone-fuelled silly little boys often gang up on their “prey” outside school. MCAST and the authorities need to see that these aggressors are suitably punished to serve as a deterrent to others. They also need to verify whether this was an isolated case or just the tip of the iceberg. Whatever the results are – this cannot simply be swept under the carpet.