A teenage girl in the UK who was subjected to a cruel act of bullying at her school formal has spoken out about the humiliating ordeal.
Emilee Perry, 16, was sitting alone at her formal last Friday when a girl poured a jug of sticky soft drink over her in front of the year group, ruining Emilee's £400 dress (NZ$753) and leaving her in tears.
"I was just sat minding my own business... she crept up on me. Nothing was ever said," Emilee told The Sun.
"I thought we were friends, that's why it was such a shock. I still have no idea whatsoever why she did it."
The teen, from the English town of Doncaster, went outside to call her mum Tracy, 44, and asked to be picked up.
Tracy posted a number of pictures of her devastated daughter and an account of what happened on Facebook the next day. Emilee's heartbreaking story resonated with a number of people worldwide after the photos went viral.
"This is my beautiful daughter, who suffers with anxiety," Tracy wrote.
"Two hours later I collect her from the prom like this, heartbroken and in a state... this 'person' thought it was a good idea to... soak her from head to toe.
"I hope one day someone humiliates and devastates her like she has done to my daughter."
The teen has subsequently received messages of support from around the world.
"The way that people have responded has absolutely overwhelmed me," Emilee expressed her gratitude in a Facebook post on Sunday, which has over 17,000 likes.
"[I] hope that this makes me a stronger person. I'm personally making the decision to keep the name of the girl anonymous because I would HATE to be spreading her name around and causing her more hate and stress," she wrote.
The 16-year-old reportedly left another school because of bullying and has suffered from anxiety since she was 10. She didn't want to attend the formal because of her anxiety, but eventually gave in after much coaxing by her parents.
Emilee purchased the ball dress and had her makeup professionally done for the event. She had planned to attend with a group of girls - one of whom was the bully, The Sun reports.
The girl reportedly contacted Emilee before the formal and said she was already there. When Emilee was sitting alone, the girl made her move. She has not heard from her since.
"Everything was drenched," Emilee's mum told The Sun.
"She was absolutely devastated. To do something as cruel and humiliating as that is awful."
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