Son got beaten up

frivolous_fay

This sounds chillingly reminiscent of Sophie Lancaster's story. Please get your son to report it.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3541433.ece

Charlie1986

My brother got attacked on the bus coming back from town when he was about 16 because of the way he dressed. It was him who reported it to the police (he made the driver stop the bus and call the police). It was quite a long process but the police kept in touch weekly and got statements from his friends who were with him and also some other passengers on the bus. Luckily there was CCTV so that helped as well. In the end the thugs got caught and sent to court, they were well known to the police.
I would urge your son to report this so these people do not carry on doing the same thing. The police were excellent when dealing with my brothers case, as were victim support.

JoJoB

It's not necessarily up to him to press charges is it? The police can press charges with or without your son's co-operation if they think a criminal act has taken place and have evidence (such as cctv) to support it.

countrygal

Oh the Sophie Lancaster story is horrendous and has chilled me to the bone, I feel so sorry for her family.
I feel worse now.

pulliptears

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of idiots in this country who feel a person should be attacked for the way they look/dress. Individuality is something to be proud of, its easy to follow the hordes and look like them, but it takes courage to be happy in your own skin.

Give your son a hug from me.

TASHMA

Sending hugs to you and your son. They really shouldn't get away with this but then the justice system isn't what it should be. I like the idea of self defence classes! I have 3 children and am dreading the day when they want to go out with their friends. I hope things work out for you.

TASHMA

pulliptears wrote: »

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of idiots in this country who feel a person should be attacked for the way they look/dress. Individuality is something to be proud of, its easy to follow the hordes and look like them, but it takes courage to be happy in your own skin.

Give your son a hug from me.

Well said!!!

firesidemaid

so sorry to hear that this has happened to your son.

it is true that he was very lucky not to be hurt more badly.

can you not get the police to go and warn/caution the other boys if nothing else - and get them to say they will be watching them etc and that if they ever LOOK at him or LIFT a finger then they will be right in it? i hope that would work?

good luck and hope your son will be ok x

ps. have just read the times story. what makes kids/people do this? what kind od adults will they turn out to be? it's really beyond me....

mountainofdebt

One thing you should do is to take photos (preferably with a date stamp on it) of your son's injuries just in case he decides at a later date to report the incident.

Might also be worth ringing victim support - he may decide after speaking to them that he does want to report the incident after all.

viktory

Oh I am so sorry this has happened to your son. It is one of my fears when my son goes out (he is 16, 17 next month).

I can fully understand why he doesn't want to press charges - but he should, not only to hopefully prevent this, or something worse, happening to someone else but also for his own peace of mind.