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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

An Open Letter To Judge Watson

Honorable Justice:

Thank you for extending the orders of protection on behalf of my daughter for a full year.

How naive of me to think that I would get the opportunity to provide you with the reason the girls were in your courtroom in the first place. To have you watch the savage behavior and vicious attack on my daughter in full view of the two top security officials in the school. To show you the slanderous, hateful, disgusting things these girls posted about her on their Facebook pages, not to mention their flippant attitude about being suspended and having to appear in court. To have you speak with Hannah and hear from her how school is nothing more than a living hell for her and the countless times she went to the school administration and told them what was happening and they did nothing.

Why did I ever think this would be the start of a new attitude toward bullying? That the District Attorney would actually give me the time to explain the harrassment that led up to the attack and would have the heart to make the effort to persuade the court to treat this as more than, as he told me "than a traffic violation" which is basically how the court sees this type of charge? Have you any idea what that felt like to be told that the emotional hell our family has been put through at the hands of these punks is viewed in the same light as that as say, someone speeding? But his hands are tied, so he tells me. Extended orders of protection are the best I can hope for.

So the court's message to these defendants: "stay away from Hannah" Plain and simple. No 'punishment', no court mandated counseling, or community service. Nothing. So what is the lesson they have learned here? That they can continue in their bullying and harrassment of someone else, anyone - as long as it's not Hannah. I only hope the next victim, and I am sure there will be one, is as strong as Hannah. The cycle will continue, of that I am certain.

Sincerely,
Lynn Batt

13 comments:

Francy said...

What a totally wonderful world this would be if protection orders actually worked.

Hugs.

GraceBeading said...

I'm sick to my stomach, I can only imagine the hell you're in. All hopes dashed that they would be decent caring human beings and actually DO their jobs.

Don't give up on hope Lynn, this is the kind of stuff that can make good people truly crazy. Do your best to mind your (and your daughter's) health and your sanity.

Bullying seems to be in the news every day lately, hopefully that means things will change sooner rather than later.

Big hug to you and your daughter Lynn, I'll keep you both in my thoughts. I just wish I could do more

Bellesanbeaus said...

how totally frustrating and heartbreaking for you and hannah. i am a firm believer in karma and you or hannah may never know when it comes back to these girls...but im sure it will. and they wonder why parents get so involved that they some times resort to trying to fix the problem themselves. sending you and hannah big hugs sweetie...beth

Anonymous said...

I know these girls are minors but clearly, they do need discipline. You're right, how can they learn and realize that what they are doing is not something that you can just brush off or that it is something "normal" when nobody would tell them?

They've done physical harm and what they are saying on these networking sights are slanderous/defamation (because it is public, yes?). Both are punishable by law if you think about it.

There should be something . . . there should be, right?

Mizpah always,
Li

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Well Lynn, why were his hands tyed?
It sounds like he was following the law, which tells me that the law needs to be changed. I don't know how political you are, but I am on a first name basis with many of our lawmakers. Do some research and find out who you need to talk to to get the ball rolling. It only takes one rep to sponser a bill to change the law.

XX, Carol

DVArtist said...

It is the same old thing in our country Lynn, no consequences for actions. I am with Carol on trying to make some changes.
Nicole/Beadwright

Crazy Mama said...

i am just sad and bewildered. :(

Jewelry By Jessica said...

Some people must have no concious what so ever. To know the things that go on and to continue to let it pass without a moments thought. It truely sickens me to know that there are people out there who are like that. One day those girls will have to answer for their actions if they continue down the rode their on. I really hope things improve for your family. Maybe one day things will change, and the sooner that happens the better. Soon your daughter will be out of school, and won't have to deal with all of this, but for now stay strong and know your blogger buddies care about you, and are always think of you *big hugs*

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I'm kind of speechless. How unfortunate that the laws in this country do not always protect the victims.

I shutter to think what these bullies will be like when they become adults.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Stop by my blog & join us for the 6th photo game if you care to!

Anonymous said...

Lynn,
My name is Christi. I'm from a yahoo beading group.I am so sorry to hear of such a horrible thing happening to your daughter and family. I was bullied horrible in HS as too. I know of a little girl that committed suicide because of the bullying she endured. Unfortunately these kids often grow up to be mean, nasty adults. As an adult I have been subjected to bully's often. I'm at a point in my life where I won't take it anymore. Woe be unto the next bully who tries anything with me because I won't take it. I just left a religious group I was involved in because the leader thought she could bully me. NOT SO! I'm glad your daughter has been strong through this. Schools need to seriously,seriously take a look at this issue. Why do they think all the school shootings keep happening? Are they stupid? Look what happened to that girl that moved over here from Ireland. I've researched some good sites on bullying. It's www.bullyonline.org
Christi
cmhoward56@yahoo.com

beadbabe49 said...

I'm with carol on this...I would find out who my local representative is and ask them why this isn't taken more seriously? If they don't even prosecute students who assault school officials, it seems unlikely that student on student violence will ever end without some different laws on the books?

Susan Elliott said...

Keep fighting Lynn.