A Jane Doe under the age of 14 is taking legal action against the Wentzville School District and several district employees for alleged repeated harassment by another student.
“They failed to adequately protect our client, and the harassment persisted, with additional concerns about their handling of the situation once it was brought to light,” stated attorney Grant Boyd.
The lawsuit outlines ongoing incidents of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse by the alleged student, stating that the defendants did not take timely and effective corrective measures.
The student in question was arrested and faced charges.
Wentzville schools released a statement to FOX 2 News:
“The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities. The district has stringent policies and procedures to prevent and address sexual harassment and violence. Staff receive continuous training on these policies to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all students.”
Megan Marietta, director of programming at the Children’s Advocacy Center, revealed that they assist clients almost every week who have experienced sexual violence at school.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not track sexual assaults or related crimes. In 2018, federal data reported 433 cases of sexual assaults and 60 cases of rape or attempted rape in Missouri schools.
Although there were improvements in data collected in 2021, Marietta suggested that pandemic-related data may not fully reflect the situation. She advised families to be familiar with their school districts’ policies.
“It’s important to know how often the school reviews and updates its policies and what support systems are in place for families to access,” she added.
Boyd emphasized that having policies in place is not enough without enforcement and vigilance behind them.
The Wentzville School District has yet to receive a copy of the lawsuit. Upon receiving it, they will have the opportunity to respond in court.
