[Aliantha]

The girl is 15. The boy is about the same age. The school have told the family of the girl that 'after they've dealt with the situation they can call the police if they like'.

This sort of thing stays with a person for a long time. I don't think it's something she's likely to joke about in the future. She was terrified from what grandmother told me. She's now having counselling. So is her brother.

My issue is that i know the school and I know the reputation of the school and I'm certain they'd be doing everything they can to stay out of the public eye. If the cops get involved, there's a chance the media will too, and that's why I believe they haven't called.

Aside from that, the school has a duty of care for that student till they get home from school if they're going directly home, which this girl was. In my honest opinion, they've failed in that duty of care by not reporting a crime.

I still have not decided whether to call the police or not. I hope GM does or can convince her daughter to. Maybe someone else's mother will.

What is stuck in my mind is that if this boy can do this now, what about when he's bigger and stronger. What's he going to be capable of then? As far as it goes, I don't think he should be excused just because he has a mental illness (if in fact he does). What if he'd strangled her or something? Would he be excused then because he didn't know what he was doing?

A crime is a crime no matter who commits it. Isn't it up to the justice system to ensure the safety of society? Shouldn't they be the ones to determine if this boy is fit to live unsupervised in society? Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying he should be locked up or anything, but perhaps he shouldn't be out from adult supervision if he can't control such a base instinct.

One final thing. If I did call, it would be as a member of the community and I would simply tell the story as I know it and allow the police to contact the school. In my opinion as I mentioned previously, I think the school needs to be sorted out for not reporting it themselves.