Local authorities in Canada are investigating an attack that left a 14-year-old student unconscious at a high school in the city of Richmond.
Janice Xie, a 9th grade student at Hugh Boyd Secondary School, said a 17-year-old 11th grade student beat her in a school corridor on Thursday, leaving her with head injuries.
The victim said she was walking down the stairs during her lunch break when the older student ran after her. Then he started hitting and insulting her.
“He called me a homophobic slur. He called me the ‘F’ slur and said all Asians are ugly and he hates all Asians,” Xie was quoted as saying.
She told CTV that her attacker never interacted with her prior to the incident.
“He thought I was going to tell people he liked another girl when I didn’t,” she said. “And I don’t think I could have known because I’ve never spoken [sic] him at all.”
Xie, who was taken to the hospital for treatment, suffered a concussion. She said the incident scared her to return to school.
The victim’s mother, Jordana Sorensen, rushed to the school after being told that Xie had passed out twice after being kicked and punched.
Tim Sorensen, the victim’s father, later learned that her daughter was repeatedly punched in the face as she lay on the floor until other students intervened. He said local authorities had informed him that the alleged attacker was officially charged with assault.
The incident is currently under investigation by the local Richmond-based Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
After Cpl. Ian Henderson, the male student involved, was arrested at the scene and handed over to a legal guardian.
“Due to privacy concerns and the limitations of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, Richmond RCMP is unable to release further details or the names of those involved,” Henderson wrote in a statement.
Henderson said details about the suspect were not released to the media under the Juvenile Justice Act, which states that information about a young offender must not be released.
Despite Xie’s fear of returning to school, she said she received support from friends and school counselors.
“Even though I was afraid to go back, my friends made me feel better,” Xie shared. “Everyone texted me … they all comforted me and said I can stay with you all day if you want and [they’ll] Take me to class and they’ll just stay by my side.”
Richmond School District communications director David Sadler released a statement to the CBC noting that the school board recognizes its responsibility to foster a “positive climate and a safe, healthy environment.”
Sadler also wrote that every member of the school community must act in “ethical, lawful ways that show respect” for others.
A family friend, Susan Tran, has started a campaign on GoFundMe to fund Xie’s “trauma counseling, medical and physical therapy.” According to Tran, part of the amount raised will be used to help her and her family “get justice for this horrific act.”
Feature image via Susan Tran
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