Vancouver teacher sued for alleged bullying of student 20 years ago
More than two decades after she left the classroom, a Vancouver woman is suing an elementary school teacher for allegedly physically, verbally and emotionally bullying her.
Fariesha Khan claims that when she attended Laura Secord Elementary School from 1986 to 1994 a teacher identified only as Ms. Wong abused and bullied her.
In documents filed in B.C. Supreme Court, Khan alleges Wong hit her on the head with textbooks, struck her with a wooden ruler, called her names in front of classmates, pulled her hair and stuck her in a dark cloakroom as punishment.
Khan says she has since suffered insomnia, depression and has tried to commit suicide.
Her lawyer, Angela Rinaldis, says the alleged incidents had a profound effect on Khan.
"It's had an effect on her psychologically, emotionally.… with respect to very high levels of anxiety."
Rinaldis says Khan only recently linked her problems to the alleged abuse.
"As you can appreciate, it takes time to process everything that occurred to you," says Rinaldis.
Khan is seeking unspecified damages.
Her allegations represent only one side of the story. A statement of defence has yet to be filed by Wong and none of Khan's claims have been proven in court.
READ: Fariesha Khan's statement of claim
