Police in Dundee have launched at least four investigations over six months following persistent bullying claims made by a 13-year-old girl, highlighting escalating youth violence and online harassment within local schools and raising urgent concerns about child safety.
In Dundee, police have initiated at least four investigations over a span of six months in response to persistent bullying claims made by a 13-year-old schoolgirl. The distressing details, revealed by the girl’s mother, highlight a worrying trend of youth violence and harassment within local schools. The mother, unable to disclose her daughter’s name due to her age, expressed profound concern for her daughter’s well-being, revealing that the repeated bullying incidents have left her feeling terrified for her child’s safety. She described her daughter’s struggle: “She isn’t doing good; as much as she puts a brave face on, I am really scared for her. She has tried to run away. It is just fight or flight – her body is trying to get away.”
To date, the police investigations span several troubling incidents. On May 16, a 14-year-old girl faced charges regarding alleged threatening communications directed at the victim. Earlier, on February 24, the girl endured verbal abuse from three classmates, which led to charges being pressed against them. Another concerning episode occurred on February 3 when the victim was reportedly assaulted, although police were unable to trace the perpetrator despite extensive inquiries. Disturbingly, there have also been reports of online bullying, exacerbated by the posting of videos that further humiliated the girl. The mother revealed that her daughter was threatened by the prospect of an acid attack, yet further details remain unclear as both the family and law enforcement have not been able to confirm specifics.
In a desperate move to protect her daughter, the mother has withdrawn her from school multiple times. Initially, she took her daughter out for ten weeks at the height of the bullying, and even after returning, tensions flared as the school was considering reinstating a pupil previously moved due to complaints. “Since the other pupil was removed, she has been thriving, but all it takes is one person to carry it on,” she cautioned, illustrating how fragile a child’s safety can be in educational settings afflicted by bullying.
This situation in Dundee mirrors broader issues facing schools across Scotland, where concerns over youth violence and bullying have surged. For instance, the recent case of a 15-year-old girl in Broughty Ferry, who was subjected to racist abuse while confronting a suspected drug dealer, underscores the multifaceted nature of dangers that children encounter today. Such incidents not only highlight bullying but also raise alarm over youth engagement with illegal activities and the urgent need for community safety measures.
Furthermore, national attention has been drawn to the effects of bullying through tragic stories like that of Marianne Shanks, a 15-year-old who took her own life after enduring bullying at school. Reporting on her case, the school committed to reinforcing its anti-bullying policies, but the devastation felt by her family and community serves as a harrowing reminder of the concrete consequences of harassment among young people.
As the Dundee City Council refrains from commenting on ongoing police investigations, the broader call for heightened vigilance and intervention grows stronger. Schools, parents, and local authorities are continually urged to work collaboratively to create safer environments for children. Monitoring online interactions, as illustrated by recent recommendations following incidents of sextortion targeting young girls, is increasingly recognised as vital in safeguarding today’s youth.
As these discussions unfold, the issues surrounding bullying remain pressing, calling for comprehensive strategies to address and mitigate the risks that young people face in both their physical and digital lives.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/5251524/police-investigations-dundee-girl-bullying/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/dundee/815971/broughty-ferry-schoolgirl-says-thug-hurled-racist-abuse-when-she-disrupted-drug-deal-in-familys-garden/ – A 15-year-old Dundee schoolgirl, Zahrah Bhatti, was subjected to racist abuse after confronting a man she believed was involved in a drug deal in her family’s garden. The incident occurred in Broughty Ferry, where Zahrah challenged the man, who responded with derogatory remarks. Her father, Mohammed Bhatti, expressed concern over the lack of CCTV coverage in the area, which he believes facilitated the incident. Police Scotland is investigating the matter, with a spokesperson confirming the abuse and providing a description of the suspect.
- https://news.stv.tv/east-central/horrific-video-of-schoolgirl-attack-at-waid-academy-in-fife-raises-demands-for-action-on-classroom-violence – A disturbing video showing a schoolgirl being attacked in a classroom at Waid Academy in Fife has sparked concerns about classroom violence. The footage, widely shared on social media, depicts one student dragging another off a chair and assaulting her. The incident occurred on January 16, the same day a male pupil was left unconscious in another assault. Police Scotland is aware of both incidents and is working with local community police to provide support. The school’s headteacher emphasized the importance of robust policies and procedures to address such behaviour.
- https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/edinburgh-parents-warned-to-check-childrens-phones-after-schoolgirl-8-is-victim-of-sextortion-5008870 – Parents in Edinburgh have been urged to monitor their children’s online activities following reports of a predator targeting pupils at Gilmerton Primary School. An eight-year-old girl was a victim of sextortion after a person impersonated pupils on Snapchat to manipulate children into sending explicit images. The school’s headteacher, Alet Bouwer, has advised parents to check their children’s social media accounts, block suspicious accounts, and report any concerns to Police Scotland. The police are investigating the matter, with enquiries ongoing and collaboration with partner agencies.
- https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/education/schools/4084357/bell-baxter-bullying-victim-speaks-out/ – Kaylynn Donald, a 12-year-old pupil from Bell Baxter High School in Cupar, has bravely spoken out about being attacked on a school bus the day after learning of her grandfather’s death. The incident involved two girls assaulting Kaylynn while another filmed the attack. Despite the school’s anti-bullying policy, Kaylynn felt penalised, with restrictions placed on her movements within the school. Fife Council emphasized the importance of supporting children and ensuring their safety, stating that bullying in any form is unacceptable and all reports will be investigated.
- https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/this-britain/schoolgirl-found-hanged-was-bullying-victim-86509.html – Marianne Shanks, a 15-year-old pupil at Dundee High School, was found hanged at her family’s farm near Inchture, Perthshire. Prior to her death, Marianne had confided in friends about being subjected to verbal abuse at school. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, with bullying being a significant aspect of their inquiry. The school expressed devastation over the loss and emphasized its strict anti-bullying policy. Marianne’s family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
- https://news.stv.tv/north/appeal-to-track-down-man-who-repeatedly-approached-schoolgirl – Police in Dundee are seeking information about a man who repeatedly approached a 12-year-old girl between January 2 and January 16. The incidents occurred in the Kirkton areas of Balmuir Place, Helmsdale Avenue, Balgowan Avenue, and Oban Terrace. The man is described as having messy white hair, a large build, and approximately 5ft 3in tall. He was last seen wearing a buttoned-up cardigan with a purple diamond pattern, black baggy trousers, and black velcro shoes. Police are urging anyone with information to contact them.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent events, with specific dates and charges, indicating high freshness. However, similar incidents have been reported in the past, such as a 13-year-old girl being charged after a disturbance at Dunfermline High in March 2024 ([dunfermlinepress.com](https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/24200471.girl-13-charged-disturbance-dunfermline-school/?utm_source=openai)). This suggests that while the content is current, the issue of bullying in schools is ongoing.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quote from the girl’s mother, “She isn’t doing good; as much as she puts a brave face on, I am really scared for her,” appears to be original, with no exact matches found in earlier material. This suggests the content is potentially exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Courier, a regional newspaper in Scotland. While it is a known publication, it is not as widely recognised as national outlets like the BBC or Reuters. This warrants moderate confidence in the source’s reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and align with known issues of bullying in Scottish schools. Similar incidents have been reported, such as a 13-year-old girl being charged after a disturbance at Dunfermline High in March 2024 ([dunfermlinepress.com](https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/24200471.girl-13-charged-disturbance-dunfermline-school/?utm_source=openai)). The language and tone are consistent with typical reporting on such sensitive topics, and the inclusion of specific details adds credibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent and plausible events, with original quotes and specific details that align with known issues of bullying in Scottish schools. However, the source’s regional nature and the ongoing nature of similar incidents suggest a moderate level of confidence in the overall assessment.
