who is responsible?

Question

While on school property, during school hours is the school responsible to protect.?
this includes emotional and mental harm.
i am trying to maintain my child's right to an education and protect her at the same time. she was sexually assaulted (a young man put his hand down her blouse and groped her breast in a random act of violence) while waiting outside the principles office at the middle school. it was reported. the young man arrested. he was already on probation for drug issues. his parents responded by putting him in a christian school which he was recently expelled from. now he is back at the middle school. my daughter has been distraught from the beginning. she is young for her age raised on a ranch and is a good student. she is in the band, year book commitee, 4H and is active in our church. we live in a small town and have one middle school.

what role does the school have to protect my girl while she is at school. what do i say to the principle.
he goes to court next

Answer 1

First, carefully evaluate all of the answers here in YA before moving forward.

The district does have some responsiblity to protect students from emotional and mental harm. But honestly, if every middle school pursued every instance emotional and mental things that go on, nothing would get done. In this case, the offending student was arrested and removed from the school (even if by his parents).

The district also has the responsibility to educate, or try to, each student. Every student then has the right to attend school in a safe and caring environment. Your school has to attempt to act in the best interests of all students. But...

The boy that committed this crime against your daughter has apparently been re-admitted on a "final straw" basis. Unfortunately, your school may have taken the attitude that many schools do... and that is to let the student remain in school as long as he behaves himself.

That is what you need to discuss with your principal... rationally, without letting your motherly anger and emotion overtake you. You're concerned and your daughter is frightened. Did the SCHOOL punish the boy the first time? Has he returned on any sort of probationary basis? What happens if he tries the same thing again (on ANYBODY) or intimidates or threatens your daughter? How many other girls has this happened to?

Remember to keep emotions out of it, because you're helping many more kids than your own now. Be strong as you let him know how you believe that the boy should not be there, and if he is, he shoud be seperated. Talk to other parents.

Then ask the principal when the next school board meeting is.

Answer 2

Absolutely the school is responsible for the care and well being of your daughter while she is in their care. That is terrible what has happened to her. She has the rights to a safe and carefree education and the schools and laws should see to that right.
It is a shame what is happening in our schools now adays. Children are not suppose to worry about sexual assault from others and worry about weapons being brought to school they should be able to socialize with their friends and recieve a good solid education. I hope this young man gets some serious councelling and help to learn what he is doing is wrong and he is not heading for a good place in life in this direction. Our laws need to be stronger toward the youth and I hate to think like that but, they sure seem to think they can get away with so much. Rules and respect have gone out the window. Go and speak with the principle of the school and let him know how strongly you feel that you do not want this fellow attending the same school as your daughter and he shouldn't anyway. They should have a restraining order on him to keep him away.
All the best for your daughter I really hope she doesn't have to attend court as a victim. It will be very hard. I would also suggest that everyone in your family recieve councelling to help her deal with this tramatic event. All the best for her and my prayers are with her.

Answer 3

You should contact the principle and let him know of your concern and ask him what he is doing to insure the safety of your daughter. Making sure he isn't in any of her classes, arnt in the same activities together, and also letting all of his teachers know of his past and to keep an eye on him so this doesn't happen to another helpless female. Its wrong and the school should take action, if it happens again the boy should be dismissed without question. The next thing you could do for your daughter is to talk to her about it, making sure she doesn't feel that she was in the wrong that it happened in the first place. Maybe some self defense classes to make her a little more confident about herself and helping you know that she can protect herself from him and any other boy/man that trys this on her. Your daughter cant go around being afraid of a perv/ bully

Answer 4

The only option that you really have is to contact the principal and explain the situation to him and how you and your daughter feel. Explain that you would like your daughter to have minimal or no contact with the boy. Most likely in response what they will do is make sure that the two of them have no classes together and inform his teachers of the problem so they can report anything and keep an eye on him. From the sound of his situation I'm sure they already are aware of him and his situation. Other than that there is really nothing more that you can do. It is a public school.

Answer 5

I wouldn't say a word to the principal. I would find a real "Pit Bull" of a lawyer, probably from out of town, and just tell him/her to "go get 'em". Take the school district, the parents and the principal for everything you can get. This boy sounds like he belongs in a detention center.

Good luck, I hope you end up owning half the state you live in.