Police called in after bullying at Catholic college

Tuesday, March 17th, 2015

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Five students at St. Joseph’s College, in Apia, Samoa, have been expelled after they were identified as the culprits in a bullying video, filmed at the school.

The video, posted on Facebook, showing a St. Joseph’s College student being beaten by another student while other students look on, has gone viral.

They are also likely to face police charges.

The Director of Catholic Schools, A’eau Chris Hazelman, said that this is the second time such an incident has occurred at the school.

Because of this, “we are taking the matter further”.

“We have met with the Police and they are investigating it”.

A’eau said the incident is disappointing but “the matter is beyond our control and that is why we have decided to refer it to police”.

“We have identified all of the boys in the video and the principal has contacted the parents of these students who were expelled today”.

A’eau recalled that, after the first incidence of a similar video going viral online three years ago, immediate action was taken with expulsion.

“There was also a student handbook of which there were two rules that clearly points to zero tolerance on bullying and if it happens it would mean immediate expulsion”.

“There was also another policy that we drew up regarding social media, that any pictures or videos that shows students in school, during school time and in school uniform that is doing harm to a student or will place the school in a negative light will get automatic expulsion”.

Samoan teenagers aged 13-15 are among the most bullied and most violent youth in East Asia and the Pacific, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (U.N.I.C.E.F.).

A report released last year by the Agency, titled “Hidden In Plain Sight: A statistical analysis of violence against children,” reveals that almost three quarters of Samoan youth have experienced bullying, while more than two thirds have reported being in a physical fight.

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