"That, Q'kyx knew, would be true bravery. To publicly ally with the Deathworlder who had ruined all of their lives. It would not even do anything at all to forgive the debt they had all incurred."

In this, Q'kyx was wrong. They ruined their own lives, and also badly damaged the psyche of an innocent girl. It is sad that the teachers, parents, and students will continue to blame the girl for what happened, even if the open cruelty has stopped. The fact she's still ostracized shows the subtle cruelty continues. Poor Barbara.