https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/schoolgirl-13-contacted-80-men-27124637A 13-year-old schoolgirl was sent explicit messages and photos by dozens of strange men after her Snapchat details were shared on adult forums following months of bullying.
The family of Tina* has accused Denton Community College in Tameside of failing to support her after the teenager began to be bullied by up to 11 other pupils at the start of the year, which led her to develop anxiety, and being unable to sleep.
The abuse, which included threats to her life being made, as well as being ostracised at mealtimes, offensive name calling and body shaming, meant the Year 8 pupil felt isolated and unsafe attending school, and her mental health deteriorated.
Instead Tina has been unable to attend school regularly since March, with her absences going unauthorised despite numerous GP letters being submitted to school leaders stating the issues she was experiencing were ‘affecting her mental health, confidence and energy’.
But the family say the college leadership refused to accept their GP’s backing of her school absences, because he was not CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services) trained.
“I got four GP medical letters saying she was in a low mood and her mental health was suffering and the school refused to accept these GP letters,” Gemma added. “They wouldn’t authorise her absences and they wouldn't send her work home.
“I had to fight an appeal to get Tina into a different school for her own safety. It was absolutely abysmal and horrible what she’s been through."
Tina’s parents even contacted local MP Andrew Gwynne in desperation after they felt their pleas for help were going unheard.
The Ofsted inspection, which was published in March, stated that a ‘considerable number of pupils’ told inspectors that they do not feel safe at Denton Community College.
Police have recorded it as a crime.
