When mother-of-four Emily drives to pick up her son from the school bus stop she never quite knows what she will be faced with.
Her son, 12, has allegedly been assaulted twice by a girl at Shepparton's Skene Street bus stop, which is shared by students from a range of schools.
She said in the most recent alleged incident her son was hit in the head "20 times" and had to be taken to the emergency ward and have x-rays on his jaw.
The girl involved was from Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC), Emily said.
Emily, who did not want her surname to be used for fear of recrimination, said her requests for help had not been meaningfully addressed.
"When I approached the principal of the [girl's] school the next day, I got an apology," Emily said.
"She suggested that perhaps my son doesn't catch the bus, which is completely unfair.
"He has every right to [catch the bus] and I feel as though there was no duty of care for the kids.
"I don't have a village — I have me."
Emily said she contacted local Victoria Police about the alleged incident.
A Department of Education spokesperson confirmed the school met with Emily, but could not disclose the details of disciplinary measures.
The spokesperson said GSSC responded to and investigated all reported incidents of poor student behaviour or violence promptly, and with appropriate disciplinary action.
The school was not aware of any advice suggesting Emily's child should not catch the school bus.
'People have been hurt'
The physical and emotional impacts of the alleged attack on Emily's son are ongoing.
"He couldn't eat properly for about three days. All the inside of his mouth and lips were split," Emily said.
"He didn't want to leave the house those first three or four days."
The Skene Street bus stop is used by students from a number of schools in the region.
Its reputation for violence is such that teachers from at least two nearby schools are rostered to supervise during pick-up and drop-off times.
John Cortese, the principal of Notre Dame College Shepparton, which Emily's son attends, said he supported the move but that it was not a long-term solution.
"There have been incidents where people have been hurt," Mr Cortese said.
"It's a public place. It needs to be safe for all people."
Mr Cortese said he was also concerned about the psychological distress among those involved in fights, as well as bystanders.
"That stays with them for a long time, too," he said.
An education department spokesperson told the ABC that incidents at the interchange were rare and disciplinary action was taken when they occurred.
'It's not just me'
State government authorities, the chief executive of the Great Shepparton City Council, and Victoria Police representatives including area Commander Bruce Simpson met with community members earlier this month to discuss the issues.
Inspector Simpson said there were no issues for the "overwhelming majority" of students using the interchange, but a "small minority" had caused problems.
"Police will continue to conduct highly visible patrols in the area," he said.
"Any assault reported to police will be investigated."
There have also been community calls for protective services officers (PSOs) to be stationed at the site.
The education department said the deployment of PSOs was a matter for Victoria Police to decide.
Police said the state government would have to make that call.
"I think the PSOs are a wonderful idea, because these kids, they need help," Emily said.
"And it's not just me. I've had so many parents reach out since I've shared my son's story.
"There needs to be a duty of care to these kids."
