A playground was the setting of my daughter's initial encounter with gender-based violence.

A mother recently shared the traumatic experience her daughter faced at the young age of nine in school – sexual harassment. This issue has sparked a heated debate on MetroTalk, with people sharing their opinions and experiences in the comments section. It's alarming to note that violence against women starts at such a young age, even in the seemingly safe environment of a playground.

This disturbing incident is a reminder of the urgent need for change, as highlighted by the new campaign "This Is Not Right" which sheds light on the widespread violence against women and girls, whether at home or elsewhere. As a mother of twin girls, I can attest to the fact that the worst abuse my daughters faced was during their first year at school. The perpetrator was a boy from their class who set up a "sex corner" in the playground where he would harass my daughter by pinning her against the railings and making inappropriate gestures. He would also taunt her for sexual favors and even became physically violent, slapping her.

What's even more concerning is the school's response to this situation. They downplayed the severity of the abuse and were reluctant to document incident reports. In one instance, I was even told that "he said he didn't hit her hard" – and this was from a female teacher. It's disheartening to see that the school failed to take this matter seriously, even when the abuse continued for five years and followed my daughters into high school. It was only when I decided to remove both of them from the school that the abuse finally stopped.

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Peer-on-peer abuse is prevalent in UK schools, and it's high time for a major reform to address this issue. Schools should be a safe haven for children, but they are failing to provide a secure environment for our children. It's crucial for schools to address these issues and not just protect their reputation.

In another MetroTalk topic, the debate on assisted dying has been reignited after the recent passing of Professor Stephen Hawking, who defied all odds and survived for over 40 years with a disease that typically has a life expectancy of just 14 months. One reader, Jenny Hands, raises a valid concern that legalizing assisted dying could lead to disabled individuals and those with long-term health issues feeling pressured to end their lives, as they might see themselves as a burden on their loved ones.

Another reader, Maria, shares her thoughts on the stringent safeguards in place for assisted dying and how they could potentially be watered down, leading to a dangerous situation where people with disabilities or mental health issues might be offered a "way out." This concern is valid, and it's essential to carefully consider all implications before making any changes to the current laws.

Moving on to a more global issue, the International Criminal Court recently issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other individuals, on the grounds of war crimes and crimes against humanity. This has sparked a discussion on the ethical responsibility of countries like the UK to stop their military exports to Israel, given the evidence of the devastating consequences of their actions. The civilian casualty figures from the conflict are staggering, with thousands of children losing their lives.

While some readers argue that Hamas may be using civilians as human shields, others point out that the Israeli tactics have also resulted in the deaths of numerous innocent civilians. The catastrophic reality in Gaza and Lebanon is a clear indication that more needs to be done to address this issue, with some readers even calling for full sanctions against Israel.

Finally, we have a reader, Tsering Tashi, who shares a personal and heart-wrenching account of how the Chinese invasion and occupation of Tibet in 1959 resulted in the loss of over 1.2 million Tibetan lives, including his parents. He urges the UK to take action and speak up for Tibet, emphasizing their moral duty to do so.

What are your thoughts on these diverse topics? Join the conversation and have your say in the comments section below.

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