'SHE WAS BATTERED'
Mum shares heartbreaking video of daughter, 12, being viciously attacked to shame school bullies
Young April Ward was beaten by the bullies, falling to the ground as they filmed the horrific attack in Kingstanding, Birmingham
A MUM has shared a heartbreaking video of her 12-year-old daughter being viciously attacked by school bullies.
Year 8 student April Ward screamed for help as she was battered to the ground in the sick brawl that was filmed and shared on social media.
6
6
But now the schoolgirl's family have shared the video themselves in an attempt to shine the light on bullying.
Mum Roxanne Jones said she was still in shock after seeing the footage filmed as April made her way home from Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School in Kingstanding, Birmingham, on Wednesday.
Roxanne said her daughter had come home and gone straight to bed, adding: "She was not OK and I could tell immediately that something was up. We saw the video then and we just started crying together.
"Bullying has been going on for so long. She's had a support worker to help her though school and things have improved.
"But it's happened again, the way she was circled and ganged up on on her way home knocked me sick. She was battered."
The attack comes after The Sun Online launched its Block The Bullying campaign with the NSPCC to stamp out videos of children being attacked.
Our aim is to educate children, parents and schools about the horrendous effect filming an act of bullying, then sharing it on social media, can have on children.
But mum Roxanne said she wanted people to see the impact the attack had, saying: "The reason why we want everyone to see this video is to show everyone what these kids have done.
"We want their parents to see, we want the police to see, we want them to see what they've done to April."
She said she had kept her daughter out of school on Thursday after she was threatened.
Devastated Roxanne said: "They've all said they've banged her out and this and that.
"I'm struggling with it and so is April but we need to shame these bullies who all ganged up on her."
6
It is understood Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School has launched an internal investigation.
Students identified in the footage have, according to the victim's family, been placed in isolation and written statements have been taken.
The victim's auntie, Tasha Jones, added: "We just don't want this happening ever again - that's why we want it shared everywhere.
"Everyone's seen the video anyway, it's in the US now.
"It made us all angry, distraught - I can't even explain the emotions I'm feeling right now.
"I'm hurting for April. It's vile, disgusting and, as a family, we're all so angry.
"No parent or family member should ever see this happen to their little girl or boy."
The reason why we want everyone to see this video is to show everyone what these kids have done
Roxanne, April's mum
West Midlands Police have since confirmed they were investigating.
A spokesperson said: "We are aware of a video on social media and advise people not to share it.
"Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances around the fight."
MOST READ IN NEWS
Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School has been contacted for comment.
Anyone with information can contact police, quoting log number 2874 of 06/02 via Live Chat, at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 anytime or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
6
6
6
If you or anyone you know have experienced this kind of bullying email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368
Topics