«I was an easy victim»

Benjamin, 12, was well integrated in his class until a leader turned everyone against him. At some point, the only thing that helped was changing schools.

Personal narrative

"It started after the summer holidays, we had just started third grade. A boy I had previously got on well with suddenly started teasing me at every opportunity. Because he was the leader type, he not only got a laugh out of it, others joined in too. At first there were seven boys who no longer wanted me around, insulted me or said stupid things about me. But soon the whole class ignored me. When I came into the playground, everyone ran away, and if I sat next to my classmates, they changed places. I still don't know why.

I got used to the loneliness and the nastiness, bullies and hangers-on became a close-knit group. Nobody could get rid of their behaviour. Not even our really good new teacher, who immediately contacted school social work. I had a few appointments there, as did the instigator, and there were discussions with the class. Things got better for a fortnight, then everything started all over again. My parents spoke to the headteacher. Nothing helped, it was too late.

«The teacher reproachfully pointed out my crying to the whole class. Then it got worse.»

We had free choice of seats in class and I was always left behind. The prospect of not having to change classes until the end of sixth form was depressing. A new class teacher came in year five. He only «helped» me once, and that was a disaster. We were on a school trip and I was so sad that I could hardly hide my tears. The teacher rounded up the class on the platform and pointed out my crying to the others with a reproachful look. The nastiness got worse. I no longer had any friends, not even in my free time, which I had often spent with classmates in the past.

A school camp was coming up at the end of year five. I realised that I wouldn't get through it. I couldn't do it any more. Then everything happened very quickly: I changed schools and also changed my place of residence and moved in with my father. That was almost a year ago, and the children took me in well right from the start. That was a huge relief."