Que. mother says her daughter is being bullied at school because she's Black
A mother from Saint-Hyacinthe alleges her 13-year-old daughter is being bullied in school because she is Black, and that the school and its service centre have not done enough to stop it.
Alexandra Orneus-Pierre told the story on Tuesday at a press conference with the Red Coalition -- an anti-racism lobby group.
"'Mom, I don't belong here anymore,'" she said, recalling something her daughter told her. "I don't want to lose my child."
Orneus-Pierre says the bullying has gotten so bad her girl doesn't want to go to school and has resorted to harming herself.
Alain Babineau from the Red Coalition said he was told there has been name-calling.
"The n-word was used. There were instances of mocking, gestures and constant harassment. She was being followed between classes, after school, on the school bus, and she reported those incidents to the school," Babineau said.
However, Orneus-Pierre said she was not satisfied with the school's response, which is why she went public with her story.
"I'm asking for help, not only for my daughter but for all children who are bullied because it needs to stop," she said.
In a letter sent last week to the Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville and to Christopher Skeete, the minister responsible for the fight against racism, the Red Coalition called on the government to investigate the issue and put measures in place to make sure these kinds of complaints stop.
"To acknowledge the ongoing systemic racism that's going on in our schools, this incident is the most shocking out of all the incidents we've received and complaints," said Joel DeBellefeuille, the group's executive director.
The group is also demanding a meeting with the Saint-Hyacinthe School Service Centre.
"The impact of racism and discrimination seems to be minimized and we want it to be put as serious, as important as any other form of violence or bullying in the school system," said Babineau.
In a statement sent to CTV late Tuesday afternoon, the Saint-Hyacinthe School Service Centre responded to the allegations and said it followed its anti-bullying plan and bullying and anti-violence procedure to address the issue.
"School administrators rigorously applied the usual procedures, interventions and sanctions, in collaboration with the school's multidisciplinary team and the parents," said spokesperson Isabelle Ricard.
Ricard also said though they are aware of the situation, no formal complaint has yet been lodged with the service centre.
"Essentially, it's a conflict between two students that has been brought to the attention of the school administration," she added.
Earlier in the day, the Red Coalition said it's planning on filing a complaint with the Quebec Human Rights Commission.
Orneus-Pierre said she is speaking out so her daughter can feel safe going to school, adding " we are human, skin colour doesn't change anything."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.