In a shocking case of bullying, four students from the IES Leonardo Torres Quevedo in Santander have been accused of assaulting a classmate with cerebral palsy. The incident, which was captured on video and later broadcast on television, has ignited widespread outrage and prompted investigations by both the police and the local education authorities.
The attack occurred approximately two weeks ago, but it only came to light on March 26, 2025, when the victim's mother discovered footage of the assault on her son's phone. The video shows the four aggressors taunting and physically assaulting the disabled student, who was attempting to escape in his wheelchair. Despite the mother reporting the incident to the police, her son continued to share a classroom with his attackers at the school.
In response to the incident, the Ministry of Education of Cantabria activated the school harassment protocol and initiated a disciplinary procedure against the four students involved. This included precautionary measures and a five-day expulsion from the school, which is the maximum period allowed by law. However, when a criminal procedure was initiated by the victim's family, the educational disciplinary file was put on hold.
Sergio Silva, the Minister of Education for Cantabria, expressed his absolute condemnation of the incident, stating, "It is inadmissible and I want to show all the rage for what happened and my sadness because minors may be involved in events of this type." He assured the public that there would be no interaction between the victim and the aggressors during school hours and emphasized the importance of providing a safe environment for the victim.
The ministry is also investigating whether there were previous incidents of bullying against the victim. The four students involved may face more severe sanctions, including a permanent expulsion or transfer to another educational institution, depending on the outcome of the ongoing judicial process.
Public reaction has been swift and intense. A group of students from the IES Leonardo Torres Quevedo released a statement demanding the permanent expulsion of all those responsible for the attack. They stated, "This cannot go unpunished," and called for organized protests until their demands are met. They expressed concern that a temporary expulsion of five days would not suffice to address the severity of the situation, insisting that the victim should not be the one forced to leave the school.
Inazio Nieva, a 25-year-old disability advocate who also has cerebral palsy, spoke out about the incident, recalling his own experiences with bullying in school. He highlighted the emotional toll such experiences can take on young people, saying, "The bruises are visible, but the scars can last a lifetime." According to a study conducted by Fundación ONCE and the Comité Español de Representantes de Personas con Discapacidad (Cermi), eight out of ten students with disabilities have experienced bullying, often manifesting as mockery, isolation, and rejection.
The Association of Mothers and Fathers of Students (AMPA) at the school condemned the attack and called for calm and responsibility among the community. They stressed the importance of trusting established channels to address the situation and urged against the spread of unverified information, which could exacerbate tensions within the school.
Additionally, the Cantabrian Association Tolerance 0 to Bullying condemned the assault, labeling it as very serious and detrimental to the physical and psychological integrity of the victim. They called for swift action and an exemplary sanction against the perpetrators, insisting that such acts of violence cannot go unpunished.
As the investigation continues, there are concerns about the effectiveness of existing anti-bullying protocols. Critics argue that while the protocols are in place, they often fail to prevent such incidents from occurring. The Minister of Education acknowledged this issue, stating that the administration has activated the harassment protocol not only in response to this incident but also to investigate any previous bullying that may have occurred.
In light of these events, the community is rallying to support the victim and ensure that measures are put in place to prevent future incidents. Students have planned a demonstration outside the school to show solidarity with their classmate and to demand a safer school environment. They assert that it is the responsibility of the school and authorities to protect all students, especially those who are vulnerable.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges of bullying in schools, particularly against students with disabilities. As the investigation unfolds, many are hopeful that it will lead to meaningful changes in how schools address bullying and ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
