Homewood Flossmoor student’s mother says school failed to respond after daughter reported sexual assault – NBC Chicago

A suburban mother is expected to go public with her attorneys Wednesday after she says her daughter, a student at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, was sexually assaulted inside school by a classmate.

According to lawyers for the “Jane Doe Family”, the incident happened on Monday during the first theater session.

“It was brutal in nature,” said attorney Stephanie White. – And it lasted about 17-21 minutes. If there was proper supervision, someone should have been there.”

According to the victim’s mother’s statement, the school did not respond appropriately to the incident when it was reported, and staff are not doing enough to protect students at the school from similar events.

“She was crying,” the report reads in part. “No one came to her aid. No staff or professional educator did anything to protect her from this horrific, life-changing event.”

“The county claims it is committed to transparency,” it continued. “However, when students used their voices, they were and are being victimized by the district for voicing their concerns about sexual assault and harassment.”

Flossmoor police said the juvenile student was taken into custody and taken to the station for questioning. He was released into the custody of his father pending an investigation, officials said.

Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s principal and superintendent said in a statement to students and staff that they take student safety “very seriously” and while they can’t speak directly about the alleged sexual assault, it was reported to the Illinois Department of Services for children and family affairs.

“The safety of our students and staff is paramount. We are committed to following safety protocols and appreciate the patience of our school community,” the school said, stressing that they are cooperating with local law enforcement while the investigation continues.

The victim’s mother and her attorneys plan to hold a press conference at 1 p.m. Wednesday to address the school directly.

“As a mother, I’m worried about the students of the district,” said the statement on the eve of the press conference. “The lack of ongoing support for students who have been sexually assaulted and the continued failure of the district to monitor or protect students from further victimization.”

Additionally, students plan to hold a protest outside the school at 1 p.m. Thursday about how they say the school is responding to ongoing sexual harassment.