Dd13 was physically assaulted, how can I help?

[Swimminginmud]

My daughter was attacked by a bunch of girls and a boy this evening. She was punched in the back of the head repeatedly and dragged by her hair. They came at her about 3 times over the course of half an hour.
She doesn’t know them and couldn’t describe what they looked like. She was helped by a lot of people who tried to protect her and stayed with her until I came to pick her up.
She won’t give me any information to go to the police and doesn’t want to talk about it. The last thing she said was that she hates herself.
I’m so sad, she had such a good day today which is rare as she has been struggling with anxiety and depression over the past year and it’s ended so badly.
She was able to protect her face but she says her jaw and head hurts. I don’t know what I can say or do to make her feel better.

Notify school this has happened. It is likely the kids who attacked her knew her and most probably from school.
Get her referred for therapy/counselling.
Consider moving to new area or to new school.
She needs to not go anywhere alone for time being.

She needs to be seen by a doctor

And YOU need to report the attack.

I would do this before witnesses do it for you!

You are her advocate so start being one.

Did the attack happen anywhere it might have been caught on CCTV? I agree that you should contact the police. Explain your dd is too traumatised to speak to them but ask that they investigate (if you can give time and location they may be able to get cctv evidence).

Your poor dd, I feel so sorry for her. I do think you should get her checked over, if she's been punched in the head there could be hidden injuries. The most commonly missed and very dangerous is a small bone being broken in the eye socket (according to a friend who works for the CPS) although if your dd was able to protect her face, she has hopefully avoided this.

An adult would be traumatised by a physical attack like this so she is going to need a lot of support. If you can find someone (in the mental health profession) who can help, I would do that sooner rather than later - in the next week, not immediately.

Enormous hugs to you both, just a completely senseless, dreadful thing to have happened to your dd.

This is horrendous I'm so sorry it's happened to your daughter. As another poster has mentioned, if you haven't done already then you need to report to the police ASAP. Other that that all you can do is keep her close to you for the next few days. If you have work or school, take some days off and just have mother / daughter time. Lots of cuddles on the sofa watching TV and just letting her know she is safe and you've got her. I'd be absolutely heartbroken if this happened to my little girl so can't imagine how you must be feeling.

Your poor dd, how is she this morning? Phone 111 now and ask if she would see a Dr after repeated head punches.

You really do need to report to the police this morning and also let the school know on Monday. There is a chance the police can track them down either through witnesses or cctv, or your dd might see them again and having it previously reported, statements and evidence taken will help.

Contact the police.
Do you check her phone?
Also be aware that the attacks have more than likely been filmed..

It sounds like she knows a lot more than she’s prepared to share for fear of the bullying getting more severe. I also kept a lot to myself when I was younger for similar reasons.

Thanks for your replies. It was just a random attack, she has no idea who these girls were.
I’m going to keep her off school tomorrow as her jaw is quite painful and file a police report. I doubt there is much that can be done, it’s quite rife round here for this sort of thing sadly.
She’s with a friend today so hopefully he will be a good listening ear if she doesn’t want to talk to me about it.

You need to take her to the doctor. You should have done it last night.

She suffered trauma to the head and jaw and you didn’t take her to a&e? Really? This morning you didn’t realize your mistake and just let her go off with a friend?

I dont think trying to make OP feel bad is going to help..it would be good to get her checked out though.
Wishing you and your DD all the best, and so hope these animals pay for their actions

I think she knows her attackers from what you've said. She can't describe them, says she doesn't know who they are etc. I would be very concerned about this happening again.

She doesn't want anyone to know for repercussions and that's why she's giving u the line oh I don't know them. You need to get to the bottom of it and get the police involved. Make her realise u won't let this lie.

She needs to be taken to the doctor. All this dismissing and minimising is what teenagers do, but long term it will come back to bite her.
Therefore, regardless of if you do not press charges you need to give it the gravitas it deserves.
She needs to see that other adults in responsible positions take her seriously and are on her side. Like the doctor and the police and her school.

If she goes into school tomorrow and tells a teacher...or her friend tells her teacher...then school will raise a safeguarding and refer to SS ...you need to have shown you have prioritised your child’s needs....this means taking her to hospital/GP to be checked out and contacting police.....it could have serious consequences for you OP otherwise....hope your daughter is ok and that you get through this horrible time

Poor girl. How awful. These attacks can happen randomly unfortunately like that poor girl Sophie Lancaster