Would you report bullying of another child?

[hedgehog82]

Primary school. My child has reported to me that she has witnessed a boy has been punching another boy at lunchtimes. The teacher seems unaware as it’s not in class and my child says it happens out of sight of the lunchtime supervisors.

The difficulty is that separately, “victim”s mum (friend of mine) shared with me that her child doesn’t want go to school and had told her what was happening. I asked if she’s told the teacher and are said no as she didn’t know if it would help. I’ve urged her to tell the teacher but for whatever reason she seems disinclined to.

My child then told me what had been happening.

WWYD? Report to the teacher what my child has seen only and omit what the other mum has told me?

For context, the bully child has previously attacked my child so my child is not immune, but only a witness on this occasion.

Yes I would mention it to the teacher so they can keep an eye out

Yes definitely mention it to the teacher. Say he has hit your child and that your child has seen him hitting (other child) more than once at lunchtimes and could she make the lunch time supervisors aware.

Why would you not mention it? My star was being constantly bullied and it only stopped because someone else said it was upsetting her child

I would definitely report this to the teacher. A child is being physically assaulted and being made to feel utterly miserable. He needs an adult to intervene.

Why would you not? Of course you should report a child being assaulted

Yes do report. I had to do this in the past when my child told me of what they had repeatedly seen. I’d like to think if another child had witnessed my child being bullied and told their parent, they would take action too.

In my view, everyone is responsible for safeguarding. If you know that a child is being hurt it is absolutely your responsibility to do something about it (in this case let the School know).

You should report to class teacher but I really can't understand why the child's Mum won't protect her DC.

Yes definitely do. Sad to say, but sometimes schools find it more believable when it is reported by a different parent (I.e. not the parent of the victim).

Yes I have no idea why the victim’s mum is so reluctant to report this. The only reason I questioned this at all was because I wanted to stay respectful to that mum’s wishes, but since I don’t understand her reasoning I am just going to go ahead.