So feeling kind of like I’m treading water.
Happy that the police are backing my cause, but fearful of what happens if they arrest her and not enough evidence to convict?
Will it end up that I’ve exhausted all avenues and she will still come out on top?
Will I be charged with wasting police time?
Feel so lost
Feckles
why would you be charged with wasting police time?? they obvs. think this women has done something to even suggest arresting her. an arrest might be enough to get her to stop and it might make the school people in charge know you are serious about being harrased and might make the sit up and pay more attention to the problem
second guessing an outcome doesnt help. she will def come out on top if you dont do anything.
No Freckles, you will not be charged for wasting police time. Your overthinking things now and I can understand why but try not to.
Even if they arrested her and there wasn’t enough evidence, the fact that she’s been arrested will scare the hell out of her. You’ve got me overthinking now.
From what you wrote earlier, the police seem very supportive so let them help you.
Noreen xx
Hi All
my union rep is seeking advice from the regional organiser, to see if they can help me if I decide to complain officially to the police.
Does anyone have any experience of working with a union, or indeed any dealings with the police?
Freckles
Hi Freckles
I think in your situation I would:-
a) let the police arrest her
b) keep in contact with the union (they should be able to provide free or reduced rates with a solicitor etc?)
c) make a further official complaint to the school about the things they disallowed in last week’s meeting
d) make it clear you won’t be attending the mediation because of (c) above.
e) seek legal advice regarding your position at school and what action you can take if they still do nothing AND let the school know that you are seeking legal advice regarding disability discrimination and the fact that your employer is not protecting you under the Equality Act.
Stand back and see what happens then. I’m so furious on your behalf, it makes my blood boil when I keep reading how this woman behaves. Considering she is already known to the police I don’t think they would consider that you are wasting their time. She is clearly a bigot and needs outing as one. Stick to your guns and stand up for your rights. I’d love to see a big article on the news in six months’ time showing that you won and proved that employers should take these things more seriously!
Best of luck,
Tracey xxxx
I second what Tracey said 
My husband is a retired nurse…he was a union man. If there is anything you want me to ask him on your behalf then pm me Noreen x
hi Freckles. Go above your union rep to the convenor at branch to deal with this. Under health and safety legislation it used to be you could take your employer to tribunal for failing to protect you from 3 incidences of attack/ abuse (which includes verbal) but now the rule of 3 has been removed. You may need to consider tribunal for how they have failed to protect you from this, and the compensation would be good- except you would need to take a grievance out on your boss for not taking action against this woman so far (i.e. not suspending her) or your compensation could be reduced by 25% or more.
Just found this on Acas’ website:-
“Disabled employees are also protected from harassment. Harassment is unwanted conduct related to disability which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual.”
Acas’ helpline number is 0300 123 1100. They can advise you about a tribunal or what your next steps should be.
Tracey xx
Thanks for all your reply’s, and really helpful advice.
I’m terrified of the whole situation I think I’ve opened a can of worms. I have never been in this type of predicament before. I don’t think I’m as strong as I’d like to think because I’m so afraid of being labelled a liar and troublemaker and end up losing my job. The people who have witnessed her behaviour towards me wouldn’t come into the meeting with the Governors and speak up, what if they do the same with the police?
I know I’ve got the law and moral right on my side, but what if it’s not enough? I have been let down at every stage of this whole process, and it’s left me feeling vulnerable and pathetically weak.
Freckles x
Hey Freckles
Some of the people in history who overturned prejudices and stood up for the rights of the underdog didn’t start out as brave people, they just had a sense of moral injustice and had had enough of being pushed around. I’m sure they felt just as you do now. They were probably quaking in their boots when they first set the ball rolling. I wish I could be there with you now and stand shoulder to shoulder with you on your journey.
I firmly believe you have a case and I don’t think you need any more evidence other than your notes, your daughter’s evidence and the fact that you have already raised this as a grievance at work. This isn’t going to go away if you do nothing …
Tracey xx
I think the issue with the police will prove to be a diversion from the real problem. Of course she has harrassed you but it wont get to court because there are no independent witnesses.
Some years ago I had a problem not dissimilar to yours at work and I sought union help. Put bluntly they were ueless!
The person who has failed you and the person you should be tackling is the headteacher. (who no doubt will hope he can keep a lid for the next few weeks until the holidays - and who may be quite happy for the police to be involved because it keeps the heat off him/her.)
It is easy for me to sit here and tell you to do - I don’t know your relationship with the head and you have children at the school.
how do you want this issue resolving - what do you want?
see the head and make it clear what you want - and don’t be fobbed off with the excuse that he/she doesn’t want to get involved while the police are involved.
if you get nowhere with him/her you then you see a solicitor who you instruct to write to the Head and Chair of Governers about how you are being discriminated against, not protected, and as a result you are being ‘constructively dismissed’.
I can only refer you back to Tracey’s earlier a b c d e advice. It’s what I would be doing. My husband nearly died in 1999 following a botched operation. I could write a book on problems with solicitors, lack of support etc and people trying to stop us complaining. We never gave in though and won in the end. If you roll over and let her get away with it, she will carry on. Can you deal with that? Noreen
I know its not the same thing. I’m just trying to say there are no guarantees, sometimes you just have to take a chance if you feel strongly about something
My heart does go out to you hun - I think you are between a rock and a hard place.
If you back off now, the likelyhood is that it will all be swept under the carpet and your tormentor could get worse - then again, all of this stress is bound to be affecting both your mental and physical health.
Personally for my tuppence worth - I would go above your union rep (they seem useless) and maybe also speak to a solicitor and also put another grievance in for the other stuff. Maybe hold off on the arrest part for now to see what the solicitor says. You said most people are supportive of you but I wonder why your witnesses won’t come forward. Has she said something to them too?
I would hate to see you give up but hun - only you know how much further you want to go. Either way we will all support you however we can.
My support for now consists of lots of hugs
JBK xx
Hi Freckles Sorry to hear of what you are going through, I would be careful what info you put on forums even though you aren’t mentioning any names, I would still be careful what you broadcast on line. You never know what might turn around and bite you in the bottom!
Anon you’ve got me really concerned now.
I like to come on here for advice and just to verbalise how I’m feeling, but worried now that I might be putting myself in the firing line!
Freckles
Firing line for what for goodness sake lol What on earth havebypu said that’s so top secret. Please anon, what are you thinking.
Somebody’s backside is likely to get bitten but it won’t be freckles. There is no crime in truth.
Hi Freckles,
As far as I can see you have not said anything that could be taken as libel so don’t worry about it. The problem would only arise if you called her names or accused her of things that had not been proven in a court. You have just been reporting the facts of your problem.
I think Anon was just being cautious so you don’t take a step too far in anger - which is good advice but in my (unprofessional) opinion you have not crossed that line.
We all want to support you hun so please keep us up to date and if we can help - even just in having a rant on a PM with you - we all will.
Still more hugs
JBK xx