TRUMBULL — A lawsuit filed this week alleges that the town’s Board of Education did not “take reasonably adequate measures” against” students who harassed and threatened a Trumbull High School student after she reported an alleged rape by a classmate.
The girl, identified as Jane Doe in papers filed in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport, was the target of “repeated verbal harassment that went beyond simple teasing and name-calling,” states the lawsuit. The suit against the school board claims that harassment was sparked by her reporting a rape.
“Plaintiffs pray for judgment against defendant for money damages, fees, costs and such other relief as the court deems just and proper,” the lawsuit says.
“It’s pretty clear that there was a hostile environment and that harassment was severe and pervasive,” said Gregory Smith, the attorney representing Jane Doe and her family. “And … whether the district is responsible for that, I think there is enough evidence for a jury to reasonably find that the steps they took to protect her were minimal and ineffective.”
Trumbull First Selectman Vicki Tesoro did not respond immediately to requests for comment on Thursday.
“A response with any information regarding this case cannot be provided, due to a pending litigation,” said Gary A. Cialfi, superintendent of Trumbull Public Schools.
According to the lawsuit, just after Thanksgiving 2017, the girl — in ninth grade at the time — told her mother a male classmate sexually harassed her.
The lawsuit states the girl’s mother told a school official about the incident and was told that was already “keeping an eye” on the boy.
Nearly a year later, the girl told her mother...
from News https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Suit-says-Trumbull-BOE-failed-to-protect-student-14056830.php
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