I was a student at Norton College over ten years ago... I was a naïve young man and wasn't experienced in life so I was unable to comprehend or put into words what I felt and experienced until many years later... When I first encountered 'odd' behaviour from female staff members and social workers. (i.e. Passive Aggressiveness) I being a naïve young man automatically interpreted this passive aggressive behaviour as being my fault. That I perhaps bothered them with my question while they was busy? or was I not polite enough when asking them? For example. When me and my friend Gavin had filled in EMA forms so many times to apply for financial aid in order to continue learning. Only to chase the matter up with the staff some weeks later when we had no response. Furthermore, we would be told by Jessica Simpson and her secretary that they had NOT received our forms? We did this process of filling in our EMA application forms over and over again. Once more the secretary was so extremely passive aggressive that looking back and knowing what I know now. I realise just how utterly pathological she was. Once she filled in as a career guidance counsellor, while I was explaining to her my previous courses and what I've done outside of college in the area of learning I was interested in... She kept staring at my crotch, but she did it in such a way, that the moment I had stopped talking to ask her why she was looking at me down there? She'd return her eyes to looking straight at me... Years later I'd read a book related to psychology and apparently this is a technique interrogators use to make the subjects feel nervous. (mission accomplished, madam) ...I can't remember her name. But I recall she also taught Norton College's self defence class and she was the reason I never showed up for a class once I learned she ran it. One time (Which has burned a hole in my mind to this day) when I and Gavin one day decided we had enough and was going to get to the bottom of why the countless forms would go missing; We saw with our own two eyes this secretary be polite and nice to both female students and minority students... We both decided to hang around the doorway and observe this change in her behaviour... we thought "Maybe she's in a better mood today?" So we approached this nice polite secretary... only for the moment we try to speak to her does the aggressive behaviour start again... We was at a loss for words. Did WE do something to upset her? So confused by this paradoxical treatment we had been given we began asking around other students... Apparently it was just "men" she had issues with? Not girls, not minorities. Just us British looking "men" ?! But it wasn't just that staff member. It was even the "social worker" called Cheryl... She (Cheryl) would literally IGNORE a young 'MAN' asking for help with something, she socialised with gay male students, girls. But seemingly not "men" ?? (except for other employees) When my courses at Norton ended I was informed that they "lost" all the coursework I did before it was marked... Unable to re-do all my work in the time I had left, I failed College... I fell into manic depression and was in a dark place for many years. I wouldn't try higher learning again until some 15 years later. My mind would always drift back to these experiences at Norton whenever I thought of doing higher learning and while I eventually cured myself of manic depression. For the longest time I hated myself and believed "I" was responsible for the treatment I received in some way... It wasn't until 2012 when I'd come to learn about 'Radical Feminism' and most especially study the subject of 'Narcissistic Abuse' was I finally able to fully understand and emotionally process the experiences I had. How many young men encounter this treatment and then after some time of blaming themselves eventually take their own lives?? ...Living alone during lockdown left me with lots of time to dwell on things past and so I decided to say something about it and hopefully save lives. If you are confused and hurting. It's not your fault. Look into "Narcissistic Abuse" It'll help you process and eventually heal. But it takes time and effort. You'll get there eventually. Don't lose hope no matter what. Take care. read more