My Student Was Wrongly Accused of Shoplifting!
By psyche49f
@psyche49f (2502)
Philippines
August 18, 2007 1:50am CST
A college student of our university went shopping after school to a nearby mall. As she was about to get out of the mall, a security alarm buzzed off, sending the security guards to do a body search on her...Imagine, even her shorts under her uniform (she was still wearing the school uniform) was inspected...after the confusion, it was discovered that the purchased pack at another mall (National Bookstore and Penshoppe) was the cause for the security alarm to be activated, causing embarassment to that lady student, who is an honor student. Thereafter, the incident caused further humiliation as rumors spread like wildfire that she shoplifted. Apparently, she was cleared by the mall; but the worst thing was the rumor which really caused her to be broken-hearted. Now, if you were her teacher, what would you do? Actually, I'm planning to see the manager of the mall to tell him about the humiliation their security system has caused this lady student. Would it be ok to do it? Hope to hear some thoughts from you....
5 people like this
15 responses
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
18 Aug 07
This kind of thing happens more then you know. It's just something you have to shake off. There really isn't much you can do about it.
I had this happen to me. It's not a big deal. I mean, she knows she didn't steal anything, so she should just let it go and not worry what others think.
Yes, the mall made a mistake, but things happen.
They should of said sorry for the humiliation, but that is probably all they can do.
2 people like this
@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
19 Aug 07
Yup, I guess the mall management already did that...thanks.
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
18 Aug 07
I previous worked as a loss prevention detective that caught shoplifters at a store. I would suppose most rules are the same, but we were not allowed to do body searches on people because we were not the police. Did they have any female security officers or anybody in the room when this was going on? That is what's called a non-productive detainment. There is certain protocol a security officer has before they are suppose to stop somebody for shoplifting anyway, not just go after somebody when the buzzing towers go off. I'm not sure if she would be able to sue, but maybe should talk to somebody about that. In any event I don't think they had the right to do that. They could've checked in her bag, that's reasonable, but anything more sounds kind of suspicious to me.
2 people like this
@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
18 Aug 07
Sure thing! I'm glad that you enightened me with that one...I am still contemplating my next move...now I know that what they did was a non-productive detainment...not to add the humiliation she experienced...
1 person likes this
@royal52gens (5488)
• United States
7 Sep 07
I would think that since the mall has inadvertently caused this girl to be publicly humiliated........they should publicly apologize to her and make it very clear to her community that she was not at fault. Either that or If I was the girl, I would get a lawyer to force them to publicly apologize and rectify the situation. I don't see what her teachers could do for her except to persuade the mall to make a public statement of apology.
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
25 Oct 07
Hi,
I hope it depends upon the mental strength one posses to withstand those allegations. Here I hope the student has to give more confident and strengthen metal power to withstand that false allegations. Further an apology by the mall through public like newpaper, notice etc can also attract the reputations of both the student and mall. This too done according to students wish if the student is willing that. Any how in extreme case just consult with a expert consultent. Hope all will go well. Just take that as a play or childish game if taken serious it is to just scart the mind. Wish all the best to that student.
@LouieWpHs04 (4554)
• United States
14 Oct 07
Like most people have already said, there isn't much you can do about it. It wasn't the security guards faults or anyone elses, they were just doing their job. The most anyone can really do is apoligize!
@izathewzia (5134)
• Philippines
27 Oct 07
How dare these people spread rumors when it is not proven to be true? I pitty your student and hope she recovered from all of this humiliating experience. And to the mall administration, i hope they could do something to the alarm system. Make it accurate and shoud be used to really detect the real criminals and not the ones who are mistakenly identified.
@rusty2rusty (6751)
• Defiance, Ohio
19 Aug 07
I would of not let them touch me. But rather make them call the cops in. Sorry no way i would let a security guard or otherwise employee of the store/mall touch me.
@subathra (3519)
• India
20 Aug 07
I could imagine the embrassment and shyness your student would have had while she was checked for shp lifting.Most pathetic is the false rumour that spreaded rapidly.
You have taken a correct decision..malls should change their set ups as to notify theft of things taken only from there.I have seen some malls in our country which alarms for things stolen from there as every things will be having a separate bar code which the detector identifies when its stolen.
If iam in your position i will ask do the same as you think.Hope atleast we can avoid any such incidents in future..
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Aug 07
Yes, I think that would be a good idea for you to talk to the manager of the mall. Also, I was thinking, knowing how fast rumors spread in schools in general further humiliating the student...Is there a school newspaper that could explain what happened? That way fellow students could read of the grievous error the mall did, and that the student wasn't to blame.
What I can't understand, is why the security guards have those monitor devices? You know like those wand kind of things they use at airports or courts--that way they the security guards just wave that wand over the person to detect anything, instead of subjecting the person to a full body search. That would be at least less humiliating
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
18 Aug 07
I think that this poor girl deserves a public apology...in writing....like in the paper or something like that!
@jbelle (912)
• Philippines
22 Aug 07
Hi... i pity your student. Well, if I were in your shoe I will help her by going to the mall or by talking to the incharge person they should have a press release on your local radio, tv and newspaper add to clean the name of your student because it destroy her name. It is because they are liable for it... Sorry I forgot the "law" term but they are liable for it...
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
18 Aug 07
Yeah, you should do that. You should force them to do a public apology for the lady. And post or talk about it in front of the school. Since the incident happened in public, they should apologize in public too.
It's tough being mistaken for a shoplifter. And not helped afterwards on the impact of the talks of the public. It's not an easy ordeal. She is traumatized and hurt.
People deserve to know what really happened. Do this right away as to heal the wounds and avoid the talk from being over circulated.
Good luck to you.
@spyjax (46)
• United States
19 Aug 07
How often does this happen to guys without an outcry? Women are as equally prone to shoplifting as men. (Winona Ryder? But she's so rich, and pretty, and waif, and fawn-like.)
A smart female shoplifter will of course tuck the goods in a place where she would least expect security to go digging. Just as smart male shoplifters will do.
And those males are no more prone to "racking" than their female counterparts.
No favoritism. Equal justice.
@sanju21 (135)
• United States
19 Aug 07
Teenage is the time where young girls are very sensitive and this is the phase which is very critical.Any bad incident during this stage can leave an indelible impression on the young mind forever.This is a horrible disgrace for this accused girl and she has been insulted for nothing and oh my,what a way to check ?This is not only ridiculous but also indicator of the fact that these people involved are totally irresponsible and senseles people .They must be sued and the girl can happily claim compensation from them if she wants to and you can go ahead with your strategy.As a teacher you also has to take care of your student's welfare and see that she comes out of the trauma of open humiliation.
@pirtlems (245)
• United States
18 Aug 07
not only would it be ok ,the manager should have to print a retraction in the paper saying exp;aning the situation
and declaring her innocence.
