Woodstock teen says students watched as she was attacked on anti-bullying day

A Woodstock teen says she was attacked at school on national anti-bullying day — while students wearing pink shirts in support of the cause pulled out their phones to record the incident instead of helping her.

Olivia Gregga, 14, told CityNews a 17-year-old girl she didn’t know assaulted her in the cafeteria at Huron Park Secondary School on Feb.28.

Olivia believes the attack was motivated by long-standing tensions she’s had with another girl, who Olivia said has been bullying her for years.

Blurry cellphone video of the incident appears to show the older, larger student pushing Olivia into a cafeteria table. Olivia tries to walk away, but is followed and pushed again.

“She just walked in and started yelling at me,” Olivia said. “I got up and tried to get out, but she just shoved me right into a whole bunch of tables.”

At that point a teacher intervened, but Olivia said once the teacher left the attack continued, and escalated.

“She ran back in and started hitting me in the head. I don’t remember a lot of it.”

Olivia was treated at a local hospital for a concussion. She says she was disappointed that no one helped her.

“There was a group of people in pink shirts just like getting together to take a photo,” she claimed, referring to the shirts students ironically donned to show their support for stamping out bullying.

Two girls have been suspended, but Olivia’s father Murray said he wants police to lay charges.

“I think police need to be involved. We are hoping to see some charges come out.”

“I’m grateful that they conducted the suspension immediately,” he added. “But it doesn’t just stop there. Wearing pink doesn’t stop there. It’s an attitude that you need to embrace.”

He also said he’s proud of his daughter for speaking out about her experiences with bullying.

“The fact that she wants to get this out and make other people aware to help other people, this is how she fights back. This is her left hook and her jab.”

Despite the suspensions, Olivia said her attacker was back at school the next day.

In a statement to CityNews, Olivia’s mother said the school failed to keep her safe.

“Although the principal handled the situation immediately and with compassion, efforts to protect the victim fell short when the two girls suspended for the attack easily re-entered the school the next morning and were seen walking the halls,” she said. “Messages sent over social media indicated their intent to assault (her) a second time.

“It’s been heartbreaking to watch (my) daughter’s physical and emotional wellness deteriorate as a result of living with constant fear, anxiety and depression.”