83,506 results
Petition to Jeremy Miles
My name is Vinna Best, and I've created this petition to help seek justice for Raheem Bailey. AllRead more
Vinna Bestlondon, ENG, United Kingdom
163,294 supporters
Created May 21, 2022
Petition to Sadiq Khan, Nadhim Zahawi
My name is Vinna from Dear Black Women and Girls CIC. I am concerned because Black girls are still facing reality where they are not recognised as children who deserve protection, but rather as adults and criminals who need to be punished. It is imperative to acknowledge that Black girls matter and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.Trigger warning
No Safe Haven: Anti-Black Racism, Misogynoir, Police Brutality and School ViolenceOn March 14th, 2022, a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review was made public detailing the horrifying experience of a Black British school girl. The 15-year-old student, known as Child Q (to protect her identity), experienced harm at the hands of Metropolitan Police officers and teachers at a school in Hackney, London in December 2020.
Child Q was mistakenly accused of having drugs. As a result, an intrusive and humiliating search which involved her having to spread her legs and removing her sanitary pad while menstruating was carried out.
This demeaning breach of Child Q’s rights and invasion of her body autonomy highlights the failure of professionals who were supposed to keep her safe, not cause harm. This traumatic experience has led Child Q to seek therapy and self harm. What happened to Child Q was due to adultification and misogynoir biases, the result of anti-Black racism.
It is imperative that all professionals are held accountable for their actions.
What Happened? The Humiliation of Child QTeachers at Child Q’s school wrongly accused her of having cannabis. They called the police, who then arrived and conducted a strip search of the student without adult supervision. This was extremely traumatising and embarrassing for Child Q, as not only was she striped searched but made to expose intimate parts of her body while menstruating and was not even allowed to use the toilet.
Child Q’s parents were not present or told of the strip search and did not give consent for it to take place. Also, the Safer Schools Officer was not told beforehand, and no appropriate adult was present during the search, including no teachers, parents, or representatives from social services.
No drugs were found on Child Q during the strip search or when the room she was waiting in was searched.
Regardless of whether drugs were found or not during the strip search, the manner in which Child Q was treated was unacceptable and a clear violation of her basic human rights and dignity.
Adultification: Black Children Deserve to be Treated as Children TooAdultification is the perception and treatment of Black children as if they are adults. Preconceived notions and biases lead to negative stereotypes, discriminatory expectations, and the characterisation of Black children as being “adult-like” and “less innocent” compared to their peers. The issue of adultification bias in schools is a huge concern.
This biased treatment causes significant harm to their academic and mental wellbeing, leading to a higher likelihood of disciplinary actions and negative outcomes beyond the classroom.
Adultification bias in schools and police need to be addressed and eliminated to create a more equitable and supportive learning environment for all students.
Misogynoir in the School SystemThe systemic discrimination faced by Black British girls in education is a disturbing reality that demands immediate attention.
What happened to Child Q highlights the intersectional nature of this discrimination, as her experiences were shaped not only by her race but also her gender.
The persistent and harmful stereotypes of Black girls as “strong” and “angry” contribute to a societal belief that Black girls require less protection and nurturing, leading to unequal treatment and harsher punishments in comparison to their peers.
Data obtained through a freedom of information request by Agenda, an alliance of over 50 charities advocating for excluded women and girls, showed that Black British girls face a significantly higher risk of being excluded from school, with rates twice those of White British girls during the 2019-2020 academic year.
This highlights the need for action to address the systemic discrimination faced by Black British girls in education.
Child Q’s Voice: Sharing the Experience of the Inappropriate School SearchThe public review sheds light on the views and feelings of Child Q:
“Someone walked into the school, where I was supposed to feel safe, took me away from the people who were supposed to protect me and stripped me naked, while on my period.
“…On the top of preparing for the most important exams of my life. I can’t go a single day without wanting to scream, shout, cry or just give up.”
“I don’t know if I’m going to feel normal again. I don’t know how long it will take to repair my box. But I do know this can’t happen to anyone, ever again.” “All the people that allowed this to happen need to be held responsible. I was held responsible for a smell.”
“…… I need to know that the people who have done this to me can’t do it to anyone else ever again. In fact so NO ONE else can do this to any other child in their care.”
“Things need to change with all organisations involved. Even I can see that.”
Mother’s Views on the School’s Failure to NotifyChild Q confided in her mother about the distressing incident, which led her mother to take her to the family doctor for a referral for mental health support. This led to the involvement of Hackney Children and Families Services (Hackney CFS). The public review includes the following views of Child Q’s:
“(Professionals) treated her as an adult. (She was) searched as an adult.”
“…the incident that happened (was) treated not as a safeguarding issue. (It was) treated as a criminal matter.”
Call for Justice and Recommendations:
Dismissal of responsible parties: Take appropriate disciplinary action against teachers and police officers who caused harm to Child Q.
Impartial review of the police conduct: Supplement the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation with an impartial review to ensure an unbiased and thorough investigation of the Child Q incident.
Accountability for schools and police: Establish clear expectations and accountability measures for schools and police to ensure they are taking proactive steps to address and eliminate the biases that caused Child Q to be harmed.
Intersectional education for teachers and police: Training and professional development to raise awareness about adultification, gendered racism, and misogynoir.
Create safe and brave spaces: Encourage schools to create safe and brave spaces for students to discuss and address their experiences with these biases. This can be done through student groups, counselling services, or other support systems.
Address biased policies: Review school policies and procedures to identify and eliminate policies and practices that perpetuate these biases.
Schools and the police need to better engage with community partners: Collaborate with community organisations and advocates to address these biases and create solutions. This will ensure that the perspectives and experiences of affected students and families are included in decision making.
Ensure legal protections: Ensure that laws are in place to prevent strip searches and other forms of intrusive searches of children without the consent of their parents or guardians. This will help protect the privacy and dignity of students and ensure their rights are respected.
Encourage diversity and inclusion: Foster a school culture that bertter values and celebrates diversity and inclusion. This will help to counter the negative effects of adultification, gendered racism, and misogynoir and create a more supportive and equitable learning environment.Read more
Vinna Bestlondon, ENG, United Kingdom
70,846 supporters
Created Mar 17, 2022
Petition to Gillian Keegan
Hi, I'm Vinna from Dear Black Women and Girls CIC. This petition has been created in response to the headteacher, Richard Beeson, failing to safeguard and protect a Black schoolgirl who was subjected to a violent racial attack on Monday, February 6th, 2023.The attack happened outside Thomas Knyvett College at the intersection of Stanwell Road and Salcombe Road around 2:30 PM. The victim, the Black schoolgirl, was both verbally and physically assaulted; she was punched, kicked, dragged, and had her hair pulled by a group of white girls and adults. Meanwhile, the headteacher, Richard Beeson, failed to intervene and provide protection for the child.
The schoolgirl attends Thomas Knyvett College, which educates students aged 11-16 in Ashford, Surrey, England. Thomas Knyvett College is part of The Howard Partnership Trust. The Trust's website states, "The Howard Partnership Trust Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment." Yet, the Headteacher, Richard Beeson, and the school failed in their responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the student under their care, which is completely unacceptable.
The police have initiated an investigation into the recent attack and have made several arrests in connection with the incident. A 39 year-old woman, a 16 year-old girl, two girls aged 11 and 10, and a 43 year-old man have been taken into custody. The police are also actively seeking to arrest a 15 year-old individual in connection with the attack.
However, it is deeply concerning that a teacher, who is entrusted with the care and education of young people, would fail to intervene while a student, a Black girl, was being attacked. This inaction not only endangers the child but also sets a harmful precedent for other students. The fact that the Headteacher did not intervene is completely unacceptable.
This reinforces the systematic issue of adultification and misogynoir of Black girls in schools, perpetuating harmful stereotypes of them. Adultification is the perception and treatment of Black girls as older, more mature, more strong, and less innocent than their white peers. This is exacerbated by the intersection of misogyny and anti-Blackness, which further intensifies the discrimination against Black girls.
As a result of the racial verbal and physical attacks, in which the police have found that the schoolgirl was injured, the devastating impact on the Black schoolgirl is both physical and emotional. Also, the fear of being attacked in the future can lead to deep seated psychological trauma and ongoing stress, including feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self esteem, which can have long term effects on her health.
We are demanding accountability and action from Thomas Knyvett College and The Howard Partnership Trust.
1. Hold the Headteacher, Richard Beeson, accountable for his failure to intervene and protect the Black schoolgirl who was attacked just outside the school. 2. Ensure that the school implements policies and practices to prevent future attacks and support students subjected to gendered and racial abuse.3. The school to address the issue of adultification and misogynoir of Black girls, and work to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students.4. The Howard Partnership Trust must investigate the incident and take appropriate action to address discrimination against Black girls in all of their schools.5. Supporting the victim and her family through this traumatic experience and ensuring they receive the necessary support to heal and recover.Read more
Vinna Bestlondon, ENG, United Kingdom
197,418 supporters
Created Feb 8, 2023
Petition to twenty one pilots, Fueled By Ramen
no longer release Regional at Best. I would like FBR and their parent labels to reconsider theirRead more
Bekky RosenzweigAustralia
33,988 supporters
Created Mar 23, 2015
Victory!
Petition to Eggland's Best
Did your eggs come from tortured hens? If you buy Eggland’s Best, the answer is likely yes. How do I know? Because I worked undercover at several egg factory farms that supply Eggland’s Best and took refuses to take a stand against blatant animal abuse: Eggland’s Best.
My hidden-camera video shows just garbage cans to be gassed to death.
It’s time for Eggland’s Best to stop cramming birds into asking you to help me urge Eggland’s Best to stop stuffing egg-laying hens into cages.
Thank you.
“Jeff”
WhistleblowerRead more
Mercy For AnimalsWest Hollywood, CA, United States
189,599 supporters
Created Jun 22, 2016
Petition to Satyendar Jain
within the first hour gives the infant the best chance of survival.
It triggers in the mother theRead more
Neha MisraDelhi, भारत
53,778 supporters
Created Jul 18, 2019
Petition to South Bend Indiana
department has gone back on their word to Officer Beigelbeck and he is going to lose his child/best friend just Mikes best friend, They had each other’s backs on those streets. That’s a bond that shouldn’t beRead more
Tammy WestawayKingston, IL, United States
252,208 supporters
Created Jun 11, 2018
Petition to Philippines Pres. Rodrigo Duterte
online publications are the trending factors:
2012 - No.1 Best Island in the World - Travel, and Leisure 2013 - No.2 Best Island in the World - Travel, and Leisure 2014 - No.12 Best Island the World - Condé Nast Traveler's Readers’ Choice Awards 2015 - No.1 Best Beach in Asia, White Beach Balabag - TripAdvisor 2015 - 7th World's Best Beach - TripAdvisor 2016 - No.1 Best Island in the Relaxation - Agoda Poll 2017 - No.2 Best Beach in Asia, White Beach Balabag - TripAdvisor 2017 - No.1Read more
Jay GarminoLondon, ENG, United Kingdom
265,257 supporters
Created Jun 11, 2015
Petition to Joseph R. Biden, Phil Murphy, The Animal Legal Defense Fund, Nancy Mace, Cory Booker, Robert Menendez
. Current laws deem pets equitable to "property," therefore their best interests are not considered when best interests of companion animals. Our stance is that current laws equating pets to property are well-being and best interests matter and should be afforded legal recognition and protection, the animal’s best interests shall be considered in order to determine custody. The animal shall be placed with, and custody instituted or reinstituted with, the party that best provides the fundamentalRead more
Sofia MNew Jersey, United States
169,342 supporters
Created Sep 25, 2022
Petition to Sadiq Khan, Waltham Forest Council
Labour’s Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has confirmed plans to charge drivers of older vehicles £12.50 a day to drive within an expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone from October 2021.This means, for example, if you live in Chingford you could be charged £12.50 to visit Whipps Cross Hospital.Emissions are falling and this measure will make no difference to pollution in the long term. It will also penalise older people and those in low paid jobs, who cannot afford to buy new vehicles.WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, ASK THE MAYOR OF LONDON TO REVERSE THIS DECISION.
£780million will be spent on this scheme which could go on targeted schemes with better outcomes, such as replacing the entire bus fleet, instead of on penalising the poorest and must vulnerable residents of London. Read more
Emma BestLondon, ENG, United Kingdom
12,944 supporters
Created Jun 21, 2018
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