BELLINGHAM, Wash. — When Alyssa Ruben talks about the attack on her transgender son, she does so as if it were an attack on her.
"This will haunt me for the rest of my life," Ruben said wiping away tears.
Ruben said her 16-year-old was jumped by at least two or three teens while off campus for lunch on Oct. 22.
Video posted to social media captured the Bellingham High School student being kicked, punched and thrown to the ground.
Ruben said that's only part of the story.
"They were screaming 'kill the tr***y' and 'kill the fa***t,'" Ruben said.
The video led police to possible suspects in the attack.
Ruben said the attack resulted in a concussion and possible traumatic brain injury to her child, but the emotional wounds run much deeper.
"My child started self-harming, again," Ruben said. "We are worried about another in-patient stay forthcoming, and so is their psychologist."
After the attack, the victim made it back to Bellingham High School and asked for help.
That is where Ruben said the school failed miserably.
Despite the nature of the attack and her child's injuries, Ruben said the school did not call 911 until she demanded they do so -- 45 minutes later.
"I'm pissed," Ruben said. "They should have called 911 immediately and had police waiting for me when I arrived."
Two weeks after the incident, Bellingham High principal Marty Atkins issued a statement to the community reading, in part, "We immediately provided care and support while contacting the student's parents and the police." He added, "While we cannot comment on specific details...we want to assure you that we take any allegations of violence and hate-motivated behavior very seriously."
Attorneys hired by the family tell KING 5, "We believe there are additional victims of bullying and harassment within the district," adding they have received communication from "students, parents, and a teacher, who have experienced or witnessed harassment within the district" - alleging the school system "never took any action"
A separate statement from the district to the community addressed alleged systemic issues by listing the steps taken to address anyone with concerns about safety and harassment:
"Check in with them in person regularly, ask them what support they need and prefer, partner with their family to provide resources and support, and follow our district policies and procedures regarding safety and discrimination. For students who identify as LGBTQIA+, we also follow their lead to honor their privacy regarding their identity and their safety."
The district issued a lengthier statement that can be read here:
"Our administration and club advisors work together to listen and respond to what students are experiencing and feeling in our schools. In particular, we have done really intentional work of listening to the experience of LGBTQ+ students and families and have responded when we are aware of situations specific to the LGBTQ+ members of our community. Staff and leadership have participated in these listening sessions over the years and have also responded directly to feedback from the LGBTQ+ community. BPS partners with and supports the work of Whatcom Youth Pride and GSA/QSAs in all middle and high schools. The LGBTQ+ employee resource group (ERG) is alive and well and is a place where employees can also access support and develop a community.
Regarding our response to reports of bullying and harassment: Student safety is our primary responsibility, and our staff promptly intervene when families, students and staff bring concerns to us regarding harassment, intimidation, and bullying within our schools and programs. We also encourage students, families, and community members to report any concerns by talking to a trusted adult, using the Safety Tip Line, or both. The Safety Tip Line, which can be found on every BPS webpage and on the back of student ID cards, is monitored by the Student Services team who review and follow up on each report. When reports include identifying information, we contact school administrators to take appropriate action. If additional details are needed, we reach out through the tip system to request more information.
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we cannot share specific outcomes of reports or investigations with those who submit them. We understand that this may feel like no response, but please know that our Student Services team adheres to all policies, procedures, and legal requirements to ensure students are supported. This includes compliance with policies on discrimination, harassment, and bias, such as Policy 3205 (Sex Discrimination), Policy 3207 (Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying), Policy 3209 (Bias and Hate Speech), and Policy 3210 (Nondiscrimination).
Students and families also have the option to file formal complaints, which lead to formal investigations. Many families find that their needs can be met through informal supports, such as no-contact agreements at school. All students have access to counselors and other trusted adults within their schools for support."
Ruben believes enough is not being done. She claimed those responsible have not been disciplined.
"They need to deal with the bullying in the district and punish these children," Alyssa says.
The district said the main assailant in the video is not a student in Bellingham schools.
As for Ruben, she's demanding changes within the district to better address hate-based attacks.
"I just keep going," Ruben said. "That's all I can do. I will fight for all the kids in the district. I will fight for my children."