After being force-fed a rotten cheese slice, H. went into shock and ended up hospitalized on a school day - What does it say about Vietnam’s peer mistreatment issue?
On October 30, 2024, Cào Lai Number 1 High School in suburban Cù Lao province became the center of a shocking school violence case. H. - a local student - was rushed to the ER after unwillingly consuming spoiled cheese at the order of his bullies.
On that day, the bullies cornered H. in the busy lunch hall and gave him a full package of expired cheese. They then pressured him into eating it all in front of every student present, shouting that if he didn't do it, they would "bash his head so hard into the wall, his skull would split open". Having heard the commotion, teachers and school security rushed to the site and were horrified to find H. lying on the floor, mouth foaming and unresponsive. He was then immediately escorted to the hospital.
According to classmates, H. has been subjected to escalating physical and emotional abuse since the beginning of the school year. The bullies' actions were disturbingly comprehensive. Their cruelty started with what could be easily understood as playful pranks between friends, then slowly escalated into something much more severe.
In class, H. faced constant mistreatment, including verbal abuse and ostracization by these students during lessons. Eventually, the situation culminated in physical violence, with the student being beaten on multiple occasions after school hours. Almost daily, H. has to endure public humiliation, forced to do things against his will under threats of bodily harm from his tormentors.
Listening to the situation from H.’s perspective, it is shocking how long this has been an ongoing problem: “I’ve been bullied for as long as I can remember, each day brings new insults, mocking laughter, and sometimes even physical pain. It affects me deeply, not just physically but emotionally. Lately, I can’t sleep or eat well; my body and mind feel heavy with fear and anxiety. I used to love going to school, but now it feels like a battlefield where I’m struggling just to survive."
The tragic case of H. at Cào Lai Number 1 High School demonstrates how unchecked bullying can escalate from minor harassment to severe physical and psychological abuse, destroying a student's academic journey and mental well-being. This incident serves as a crucial wake-up call for schools, parents, and students alike to take immediate action against bullying in all its forms. Only through collective effort and vigilance can we ensure our schools remain safe spaces for learning and personal growth.
What should be the immediate response when a bullying incident occurs?
Immediate medical attention for the victim
A thorough investigation by school authorities
Counseling for both the victim and the bullies
Communication with parents and guardians
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