Daughters hair cut off in school, suspended for injuring boy who did it

Navigating School Bullying: A Parent’s Frustrating Journey

As parents, we always strive to create a safe and supportive environment for our children, especially during their formative years in school. Sadly, this hasn’t been my reality as I grapple with ongoing bullying that my daughter is facing in her Year 9. The situation has escalated, leading to an incident that has left us feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about our next steps.

For the past year, my daughter has been subjected to relentless harassment both in and out of school. Initially, it was just typical teasing and insults, but over time, this behavior has morphed into something far more troubling. These bullies don’t limit their actions to school grounds; they have invaded her online spaces on platforms like Discord and various gaming servers, making her life increasingly difficult. Troubling incidents have even included vandalism at our home—our windows have been egged, and we’ve experienced doorbell ditching, resulting in unnecessary stress for my wife, who has a disability.

My daughter had attempted to handle the bullying with grace, taking advice on how to ignore the harassment and protect her online presence. Unfortunately, the bullying intensified last week in an incident that crossed a serious line. While sitting in class, one of the boys from this group brazenly cut a portion of her ponytail with scissors. In retaliation, my daughter instinctively defended herself by grabbing his hair and striking him against the desk, actions that led to his injury and her suspension.

When I received the call from the school to pick her up due to a “serious incident,” I naturally felt alarmed. Upon arriving, I learned that not only had my daughter sustained consequences, but the injury to the boy was severe enough to warrant him going home due to bleeding from his nose and mouth. The school has suspended her and requested a meeting to discuss future actions, including potential involvement from the police.

What troubles me further is the history with this boy, who has consistently harassed my daughter. We have previously reported incidents to school officials, including inappropriate comments and unwanted physical contact, yet it felt like nothing was done to prevent this escalation. It’s disheartening to see my daughter punished for finally snapping under extreme provocation while the boy who started it all seems to evade accountability.

Now, I find myself seeking advice on several fronts:

1. Legal Protection: How can I ensure my daughter is legally protected, especially since the boy’s injury appears