Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Washington

Re: assault

In addition to Ms. Mullen's advice, in which I concur, I would write a letter addressed to the School Board, Superintendant of the School District and the Principal at the school, lodging a formal complaint about the school's inaction and threatening to hire an attorney and file a civil suit under 42 U.S.C. 1983 against the school and all personnel who failed to act. An attorney could write the letter for you and put it on letterhead which is often very effective in encouraging the other party to act.

Re: assault

Your child's safety (and her trust in you) are the most important thing. Do what you have to do, even if it means escorting her to school so she feels safe EVERY day. Look the bully in the eye EVERY day and let her know that your child is protected. Don't require your child to turn the other cheek, if she's getting smacked around. Theory is lovely, but your child is getting scarred every time she has to take it and feels defenseless.

The school should be taking care of this, because they are required by law to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of all children while under their care.

File a police report (don't let them dissaude you, take pictures of the injuries and swear out a full statement); follow up with a personal protection order, if you can.

Write the bully's parents a letter explaining that you will hold them personally responsible for any further harm to your child by all legal means. Detail exactly what has been going on and send it certified mail. Send a copy to the school, with the same demand: they know what is going on, and they better do something about it. If they don't, eventually, you'll be forced to take your child out of school, send her to another and sue for a clear violation of her civil rights. Put your child in counseling in the meantime, so that she can begin to work things through and explore ways of protecting herself.