6-Year-Old Black Girl Awarded $35K In Damages After Being Handcuffed At Peel Region School
Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded $35,000 in damages to the family of a 6-year-old Black girl who was handcuffed at a Peel region school by two police officers.
The tribunal ruled that Peel Police had used "racially discriminatory force" when they handcuffed the girl's wrists and ankles.
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I can now focus on what lies ahead, which is making my daughter whole.
J.B., the girl's mother
On September 30, 2016, two Peel Police officers arrived at an unnamed school in Peel region, handcuffed the girl's ankles and wrists, and placed her on her stomach for almost half an hour.
According to a statement from the family's legal representation, Tribunal adjudicator Brenda Bowlby found the officer's actions to be "shocking" and "punitive."
"It is clear that, because of this incident, [the girl] became aware that as a Black person, she may be subject to different treatment than a white child," Bowlby wrote.
Bowlby said that she'd found the child was now fearful of police, had suffered teasing, and felt "humiliation, shame and guilt about the incident."
As a result of the "very serious" human rights breach, Peel Police have agreed to develop legally binding remedies to address anti-Black racism in their policing.
Narcity reached out to Peel Police but did not receive a statement before publication.