NSW: Man sues state over school bullying
By Gavin Lower
SYDNEY, Aug 7 AAP - A former NSW high school student is suing the state of NSW for$750,000 because he claims bullies forced him to change schools.
Sydney man Mitchell Graham Roy Hearn, 20, claims he suffered ongoing psychologicalsymptoms and did not complete his education, dropping out of school in 1997, because ofbullying at Merrylands High School.
He claims that between 1995 and 1997 he was subjected to verbal, physical, social andpsychological bullying that left him with anxiety, depression and soft tissue injuriesfrom frequent assaults.
Mr Hearn's barrister, Greg Scragg, told the NSW District Court Mr Hearn began attendingMerrylands High School in 1994.
"Our case is he was forced out of Merrylands High School and had to transfer out toHolroyd (High School) by the bullying he was subjected to for one-and-a-half years," hesaid.
Mr Hearn left Holroyd at the end of 1997.
Mr Scragg said it would be their case that Merrylands failed to implement its own welfareand discipline policy in relation to the boys, aged 12 or 13, who were bullying Mr Hearn.
He said three boys originally bullied Mr Hearn and they then encouraged two other boysto join in.
The hearing was adjourned until October 23 so the state could investigate the claimsthat the two other boys joined in the bullying.
AAP gl/arb/cjh/sb
KEYWORD: HEARN NIGHTLEAD
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