One 11-year-old from Bristol, England, was recently forced to bleed through her clothes at school while she was on her period.
And despite her multiple requests to go to the bathroom, she was not permitted to go to the bathroom.
A student at Cotham School, the young girl is understandably fearful of going to school while on her period and her mother is beyond upset over what happened.
The girl’s mother was disturbed with how the school decided to handle the situation and fearful that other girl’s in her daughter’s school could potentially have trouble taking care of their basic health needs in class.
The mother, who has chosen to remain anonymous to protect her daughter’s identity, shared with Bristol Live.
“They should not be making young girls feel guilty because she needs to go to the bathroom and sort out her basic care. Now, she’s scared to go to school in case they won’t let her out of the classroom, that’s not what we should be teaching girls.”
“We should be allowing them to go as part of giving them the tools to achieve their goals whether they are on or off their period,” the mother shared.
After the first incident in September, the girl refused to go to school when it was time for her next period.
It was also very hard to convince the girl that she needed to stick it out as she was at a new school as well.
The first time she bled out, it was on non-uniform day, and the girl bled onto her light blue jeans.
Thankfully, she was wearing a jumper that was long enough to help conceal the stain but for those who have their periods understand — sitting in soiled clothing is very uncomfortable.
“I couldn’t believe it. I rang the school and complained and they just said it would be okay and wouldn’t happen again. They seemed sorry it had happened but didn’t tell me how they would make sure it didn’t happen again,” her mother shared.
“Then, in October she came on again and she was petrified of going to school. I rang to say I was keeping her off and the attendance lady said I couldn’t keep her off school for that reason. I understood that, but she was so worried in case it happened again. I was assured the teachers would be told and that if there any problems to get back in touch with her.”
But the school did not stand by that promise.
A male teacher was the next to refuse the girl to go to the bathroom despite her repeated requests.
Instead of interpreting her constant asking as an urgent matter, he threatened her with giving her another strike on the board.
“It shouldn’t have gotten as far as her having to bleed through her clothes not once but twice in the space of a few short months. Schools should be finding ways to help kids not traumatize them,” her mother said.
After confronting the school for a second time — the school continued to stress how it was their policy.
To which the girl’s mother said:
“I really think they should change their policy if that’s the case, they need to do better.”
She continued, saying:
“Their primary concern should be the welfare of girls who have the right to basic care and not focused solely on whether children will abuse some sort of pass system.”
The school has since not apologized for their actions.
NOW WATCH: Sweden Actually Turns It’s Garbage Into Energy | Save The World