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**Parihaka** · 04-19-2006, 20:25 PM

Cash sent to pay father's fine in bully case
20 April 2006
By JOANNA DAVIS

Families from throughout New Zealand have been pledging money to pay the $500 fine of the Christchurch father convicted of assaulting a boy who bullied his daughter.

Beckenham mother-of-three Alisha Woodhouse is organising the fund to show support for Daryl Falcon's actions in standing up for his 11-year-old daughter, who had been repeatedly bullied by a classmate.

The bullying included being hit on the head with a book, being punched in the arm and verbal abuse.

Falcon was convicted on Tuesday of assault after the attack outside Mairehau Primary School before classes on March 30 in which he grabbed the 11-year-old boy around the neck (edit: he actually grabbed his collar, not his neck) and poked him in the face.

Woodhouse, a clairvoyant, said a network of parents throughout the country wanted to show support for Falcon and frustration at the lack of action on bullying.

"I don't necessarily condone what Daryl did, but the fact is he felt there was no other platform for him to get something done," she said.

"It shows something needs to be done in our schools."
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Woodhouse said any extra money donated to the fund would be given to Women's Refuge, the Whatsup children's helpline or another women's or children's charity.

She was pleased to help the Falcons as they had been stressed recently with an ill premature baby, the bullying and the "blemish on Daryl's record" from the assault conviction.

"He should be commended in standing up for his daughter," she said.

Woodhouse has started an online forum on the case and bullying.

Falcon said the fund was generous and he would not have been able to make a lump-sum payment of $500. "Especially with my wife off on maternity leave and having to pay for a lawyer, and as coincidence would have it, my car broke down, too."

Falcon said he had had support from workmates and strangers.

"Lots of guys have been coming up and shaking my hand and saying, `I would've done the same thing'."

He was initially embarrassed by his actions, but people's response to his court case showed bullying was an issue that needed highlighting, he said.

Falcon said outside court on Tuesday that he was unhappy with the school's lack of action.

"At the end of the day, the bully still wins. The school didn't do anything."

Falcon said his daughter had not been bullied again by the boy but other children had.

He believed the boy should be suspended from school.

Mairehau principal John Bangma said his school had a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. It had run the police-led Kia Kaha programme for at least four years and also devised a special programme for children who bullied and/or had been bullied.

Bangma would not comment on the Falcons' case.

04-19-2006, 20:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Parihaka Moderator Join Date: 11-10-04 Location: Te Ika a Maui Posts: 10,021 Country:	Cash sent to pay father's fine in bully case 20 April 2006 By JOANNA DAVIS Families from throughout New Zealand have been pledging money to pay the $500 fine of the Christchurch father convicted of assaulting a boy who bullied his daughter. Beckenham mother-of-three Alisha Woodhouse is organising the fund to show support for Daryl Falcon's actions in standing up for his 11-year-old daughter, who had been repeatedly bullied by a classmate. The bullying included being hit on the head with a book, being punched in the arm and verbal abuse. Falcon was convicted on Tuesday of assault after the attack outside Mairehau Primary School before classes on March 30 in which he grabbed the 11-year-old boy around the neck (edit: he actually grabbed his collar, not his neck) and poked him in the face. Woodhouse, a clairvoyant, said a network of parents throughout the country wanted to show support for Falcon and frustration at the lack of action on bullying. "I don't necessarily condone what Daryl did, but the fact is he felt there was no other platform for him to get something done," she said. "It shows something needs to be done in our schools." Advertisement Advertisement Woodhouse said any extra money donated to the fund would be given to Women's Refuge, the Whatsup children's helpline or another women's or children's charity. She was pleased to help the Falcons as they had been stressed recently with an ill premature baby, the bullying and the "blemish on Daryl's record" from the assault conviction. "He should be commended in standing up for his daughter," she said. Woodhouse has started an online forum on the case and bullying. Falcon said the fund was generous and he would not have been able to make a lump-sum payment of $500. "Especially with my wife off on maternity leave and having to pay for a lawyer, and as coincidence would have it, my car broke down, too." Falcon said he had had support from workmates and strangers. "Lots of guys have been coming up and shaking my hand and saying, `I would've done the same thing'." He was initially embarrassed by his actions, but people's response to his court case showed bullying was an issue that needed highlighting, he said. Falcon said outside court on Tuesday that he was unhappy with the school's lack of action. "At the end of the day, the bully still wins. The school didn't do anything." Falcon said his daughter had not been bullied again by the boy but other children had. He believed the boy should be suspended from school. Mairehau principal John Bangma said his school had a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. It had run the police-led Kia Kaha programme for at least four years and also devised a special programme for children who bullied and/or had been bullied. Bangma would not comment on the Falcons' case. Last edited by Parihaka : 04-19-2006 at 20:29 PM.