Somali victim of attack lives in fear

"I don't want my children to be scared any more. I don't want any more trouble"

The Somalian woman who was attacked in Southfield Primary School�s infant playground has voiced her fears about a repeat of the assault. The attack on her, which led to the exclusion of six children, left her with a broken finger. Speaking out for the first time since the incident she said "They know who I am and where I live. I'm scared of what they could do. I don't want my children to be scared any more. I don't want any more trouble." She claims has been verbally abuse and intimidated by friends of the families since the incident.

Other incidents of abuse and violence allegedly perpetrated by these families have so far gone unreported because of similar fears of reprisal, however now supporters of the Head Teacher are pleading for anyone who witnessed the assault last week to give statements or write letters of support for Mr Lowther�s actions. Many fear that if the families are reinstated, a significant number of parents will remove their children and a number of teachers will also leave. Parents have questioned why the LEA puts the rights of the 6 excluded children over the rights of the other 400 children and the teachers in the school.

Head teacher Colin Lowther is sticking by his decision that the two families remain excluded on health and safety grounds despite the LEA�s objections. He has however, met with one of the mothers, who is being advised by officials from Ealing council's Traveller Support Service and said: "We have mutual respect for one another. She is as far removed from violence as a person can be."

The police are asking for witnessess to the attack and a subsequent attack on a parent-governor at the school. Three women have been charged with affray by the school. Witnesses should contact the police on 0208 246 1152.

March 7, 2003

Crisis for local school after playground attack

Ealing LEA to support excluded families' legal action