– I’m happy to finally be believed. Finally. It feels absolutely amazing. I hope Drangedal municipality accepts and respects the court’s decision, that we can now end this and move on in life, says Cecilie Haugen to NRK.
It has been almost three years since the bullying case in Drangedal, with just over 4,000 inhabitants, became known in earnest.
Cecilie Haugen is currently disabled, and believes Drangedal municipality can be blamed for Bostrak school and Drangedal ungdomsskole not intervening to prevent what she experienced as repeated cases of bullying growing up.
Haugen demanded a meager 2.3 million in compensation from the municipality. In addition, NOK 250,000 in other expenses in connection with the case, and that the other party also pays her legal costs.
Full victory
Now the Telemark District Court has had its say. Drangedal municipality must pay Haugen more than 2 million kroner in compensation after she was bullied at the primary and secondary school.
– It means everything. I have not quite figured it out yet. I have always believed in myself and I have friends and family who have believed in me, says Haugen on Friday afternoon.
The municipality must also pay NOK 1 million for legal costs, reports NTB.
– We are very happy. That Cecilie, with her terrible story being heard, is incredibly important. And it is time that she is heard, says her lawyer Johannes Kleppe to NRK.
After an overall assessment, the court has concluded that the bullying the municipality is responsible for is a “necessary condition” for Haugen’s injuries.