Bullied student bound to tree, taunted in high school hazing

A simple desire to fit in led to a vicious attack on teenager Sarah*, leaving her humiliated, battered and bruised.

The 17-year-old has spoken publicly for the first time about a terrifying attack on her in the school playground, where she was tied up to a tree, taunted and pelted with objects.

And for Sarah, not her real name, this happened with dozens of students watching and just metres from the school staff room.

Sarah and her mother Julie* will tell their story tonight on A Current Affair.