The Junta of Andalusia is going to open a disciplinary file against the state-subsidized school Irlandesas de Loreto in Seville, which the 14-year-old girl Sandra Peña attended, who took her own life last October. The minor’s mother had warned the center that her daughter was suffering bullying from three classmates, but the management did not open the anti-bullying protocol nor inform the Educational Inspection, as is mandatory and confirmed by the autonomous administration. For the Ministry of Educational Development, that negligent behavior is decisive regarding the continuation of the administrative process, which could end with the loss of the subsidy. “There is a responsibility linked to that failure to open the protocol,” defended Carmen Castilla, the acting minister, this morning.
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Her opinion differs from the ruling issued a few weeks ago by the judge investigating the school’s actions, who decided to dismiss the complaint filed by Sandra’s parents, understanding that “the bullying protocol is undoubtedly effective, but that does not mean that, if it had been adopted, it would have prevented the minor’s will to make the decision she made.” A decision made in agreement with the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office, which requested dismissal for the same reasons and which the young woman’s family will appeal.
“We, from the administrative, formal point of view, are clear that the protocols were not opened and, therefore, there is a responsibility linked to that failure to open the protocol,” Castilla said. The ministry convened the Conciliation Commission, which ended without agreement between the parties and, once the judicial resolution was known, which the Andalusian administration was awaiting, “it has been decided to open a disciplinary file for non-compliance with the rules,” as emphasized by the acting minister.
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People with suicidal behaviors and their families can call 024, a helpline from the Ministry of Health. They can also contact the Hope Phone (717 003 717), dedicated to the prevention of this problem. In cases involving minors, the Anar Foundation has the phone 900 20 20 10 and the chat on the page https://www.anar.org/de Help for Children and Adolescents.
