In Florida a thirteen-year-old boy was sexually battered by four other students wielding broomsticks and hockey sticks.
Boys will be boys.
"We were investigating what seemed to be a less serious incident of bullying and discovered there was something much more serious," said Steve Hegarty, spokesman for the Hillsborough County School District. "We were not aware of the kind of details that are coming out now when we started sitting down with the kids... that's when law enforcement got involved." Deputies arrested Randall John Moye, 14, Raymond A. Price-Murray, 14, Lee Louis Myers, 14, and Diamante J. Roberts, 15.
The bullying of the 13-year-old victim took place between March 15 and May 5; for almost two months a child had to endure this. Two months. School officials were investigating another incident that took place last Tuesday when they learned about the sexual assault that allegedly took place on April 30.
"Four male students were arrested yesterday for an incident involving another student," Principal Kathleen Hoffman said in her recording, delivered on Thursday. "Currently, those students are not at Walker Middle School and will not return to Walker unless their legal issues are resolved. The details of the situation are confidential, but I want to assure our parents that we are doing all we can to make sure our students are safe."
The bullying of the 13-year-old victim took place between March 15 and May 5; for almost two months a child had to endure this. Two months. School officials were investigating another incident that took place last Tuesday when they learned about the sexual assault that allegedly took place on April 30.
"Four male students were arrested yesterday for an incident involving another student," Principal Kathleen Hoffman said in her recording, delivered on Thursday. "Currently, those students are not at Walker Middle School and will not return to Walker unless their legal issues are resolved. The details of the situation are confidential, but I want to assure our parents that we are doing all we can to make sure our students are safe."
The stories are now coming out that many students already knew of the attacks before the school administrators. Many parents are rightfully angered that they should have been informed too.
"I'm definitely disappointed," said parent Melinda Veloz. "They've sent out a bunch of papers for the swine flu and this is obviously a serious incident that affects every parent in this community."
The school warned parents about flu, but not about the alleged rape of a child. Something is seriously wrong here. So, once again, for the few of you out there that still think bullying is just child splay, just kids being kids, listen to this: Rape is not bullying.
Rape.
Hopefully this will help open some eyes. Something of this nature happened to me as a young teen. It's something that affects every area of your life thereafter. Even after years of therapy it can still have a crippling effect. I really hope the young man it happened to gets the help and support he deserves. I applaud his reporting of it as well, that takes real courage.
ReplyDeleteThis is sickening. The bullied boy's parents should sue the school for not providing a safe environment, and sue the offenders for rape, not because they want money, but to establish a precedent.
ReplyDeleteAnd the parents of the perputrators should hang their heads in shame to have bought up such animals.
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