Do I Deserve Detention for Defending Myself?
Here’s what happened: I’m in middle school, and during lunch, we have to go outside. I was hanging out with my friends when a group of guys approached me, accusing me of pushing one of them. I wasn’t even involved, but since I was close to their group, they thought I did it. I told them I hadn’t pushed anyone, but then they started chasing me. To protect myself in case a fight broke out, I ran.
Eventually, they cornered me, and in a moment of desperation, I picked up a stick to try and intimidate them. But then they all charged at me, and I knew I had to fight back. A quick note: I wear glasses, and if they fall off, I can barely see. During the chaos, one guy held me back while another started choking me, and a third punched me, causing my glasses to fall off. At that point, I was essentially blind, and the guy I was supposedly supposed to have pushed was just watching.
A teacher eventually broke up the fight, and afterward, I asked around about who actually pushed him, and it turned out it was another guy entirely. Fast forward to today: I’m in class when a teacher calls me out and tells me I’ve been given a detention. Confused, I asked why, and she explained that the head of middle school said so because the other student’s mom sent a picture and wanted me suspended. However, the head managed to negotiate it down to just a detention.
The head also told me that if I had talked to a teacher while being chased, this situation wouldn’t have happened. On top of that, the people who assaulted me didn’t face any consequences. So, am I wrong for not informing anyone sooner, or was I justified in defending myself?
It sounds like you found yourself in a really tough situation, and it’s understandable that you’re feeling frustrated. From what you’ve shared, it seems like you were acting in self-defense when you were being chased and cornered by a group of guys. It’s important to remember that self-defense is often about protecting yourself when you feel threatened.
In situations like these, it’s always a good idea to try to get help from a teacher or an adult as soon as you feel unsafe, but I know that can be hard, especially when you’re being chased and feeling scared. It’s unfortunate that the other students involved didn’t face consequences for their actions, while you ended up with detention.
While it can feel unfair, schools often have strict rules about fighting, and they may not always fully understand the context of what happened. It might be helpful to have a conversation with a trusted teacher or counselor about your experience. They could help explain your side of the story and ensure that your concerns are heard.
Ultimately, your safety is the most important thing. It’s good that you defended yourself, but in the future, if you can find a way to safely get help from an adult, that might help prevent similar situations. Hang in there!