Parents of a black student are outraged after the school's refusal to take action against those who tied up and beat him in a "mock slave auction."

According to the Bath Chronicle, at least seven white teenagers at a UK secondary school chained a fellow student to a lamppost, whipping him with sticks and calling him racist names. The name of the school has been omitted in order to "protect the victim’s identity." Furthermore, the punishment for the vile act has been omitted, as well, in order to protect whiteness.

The incident occurred on school grounds during a lunch break in January but nothing substantial has been done about it. The alleged perpetrators were reportedly suspended but have since returned to school alongside the victim.

Three of them were expelled by the headteacher but were allowed to return when the board of governors overturned the headteacher’s decision. The governors decided the expelled trio should be excluded along with the other four boys for about two weeks over their actions.

Although the incident occurred in January, parents weren't notified by the school about it until two months later on March 13. Despite the lack of urgency from the school, news of the incident spread quickly. According to the Chronicle, several parents with children at the school had already contacted the paper to express their dismay at the shocking nature of the alleged incident and, in particular, the school’s handling of it.

One father of mixed race children shared his outrage saying, “it just sends the wrong message out to the children. I’ve got a mixed-race son. He’s thinking ‘they’re going to stick up for the white kids, but we get in trouble if we do something wrong’.”

What's even more heartbreaking is that the victim is described as being “the sweetest little thing ever."

"He’s so sweet and kind and gentle," a local said.

After news of the incident infiltrated the community, the school sent a message to all parents and staff yesterday morning:

"We have today become aware of media interest in an incident which took place in January and involved a group of established friends and related to a single incident of unacceptable behaviour within the school grounds. A full investigation was instigated in line with both internal school procedures and Department of Education requirements, including contact with the police.You can be assured that the school has taken this incident exceptionally seriously and that our absolute priority was, and remains, that the right path is taken for all those involved as well as the wider school community. Given the on-going police investigation and the need to protect all those involved, you will understand that it has been necessary to maintain confidentiality and consequently that the school does not wish to comment further."

Black children deserve to know that someone is standing up for them. This is a lazy way to handle a very serious situation.

Bath UK

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week