We must support MPs call to investigate attack on black girl

Police description of assault fails to understand the seriousness of the incident

BASW Anti-racism lead Shantel Thomas speaks out on racially motivated assault.

BASW Anti-racism lead Shantel Thomas.

We must support the call from MPs for an investigation into the Surrey school where a 15-year-old black girl was a victim of a racially motivated assault. 

Video footage emerged on Monday 6th February 2023 of the victim being punched, kicked, and stamped on whilst on the floor.  She also had several braids ripped out of her head, in broad daylight and in full view of a large group of bystanders who did nothing to assist her. 

At the end of the footage, two teachers can be seen casually walking over to the vicinity of the attack.

The video led to protests outside Thomas Khyvett School in Ashford amid anger that it did not do enough to protect the pupil. 

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of attempted racially aggravated grievous bodily harm (GBH). They include a 39-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl and two 11-year-old girls.  The 39-year-old woman, and a 43-year-old man, were also arrested on suspicion of child neglect and intentionally encouraging and assisting the commission of an indictable-only offence. 

The 16-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of malicious communications and as of writing a 15-year-old is wanted in connection with the attack. 

Janet Daby, who represents Lewisham East, along with 30 MPs across five parties in Westminster, including the women and equalities select committee chair, Caroline Noakes, have written to the home secretary asking for the school’s response to be assessed ‘immediately’. 

They also criticized Surrey polices description of the attack as a ‘fight between a group of girls’ and asked for details on safeguarding procedures for black, Asian and minoritised ethnic pupils as well as what training staff get on racism in school. 

In a previous statement, following the outrage over the treatment of Child Q, a 15-year-old black girl, stripped searched in school, I called for what I named as ‘Anti-Racist Safeguarding’ to be implemented across all schools. 

In my opinion, the description of the incident by Surrey police inaccurately misrepresents the seriousness of the incident and fails to consider the impact such language has on those of us from black and global majority communities. 

I would like to express my heartfelt empathy and compassion to the victim of this horrific assault.  The fear, the trauma, the pain, the humiliation, the anger, the frustration, the silence - I stand in proxy for you.  I feel it too.  You matter, Your Life Matters!!!!!