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An Ashland teen, frustrated with her high school's response to sexual assaults allegedly made by a classmate, has taken the matter public.
(Janet Eastman)
Ashland High School and police are investigating sexual assault accusations after a student posted on social media that a fellow student had repeatedly tried to touch her and had raped her friends.
The post and official response have prompted discussion and outrage among the school community and beyond. Comments range from people expressing caution -- "Before you destroy this boy's life, you better be 100 percent sure" -- to threats of retaliating against him.
The Ashland teen made the matter public through Facebook on Monday, Dec, 5, after being frustrated with her high school's initial response to the alleged sexual assaults.
She wrote about her experience, ending with: "I may be judged for posting something like this, but I have reached a dead end. My anger has built up far too long. Please share."
Her post has been so widely circulated that on Tuesday, Ashland High School principal Erika Bare emailed the student body to explain that the school hires independent investigators with specific training to interview survivors, alleged perpetrators, staff, parents and other witnesses.
Once the investigation is concluded, the school follows the board and district policies as well as state and federal laws.
She reminded students that they can get help from the school, law enforcement and the Jackson County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
She directed a statement to victims: "Coming forward is your choice. You deserve to be heard. You deserve a place where you can learn with safety and confidence."
Ashland police Deputy Chief Warren Hensman confirmed Wednesday that there is an investigation and in all such cases, "We think it's of great importance to put the survivor in the driver's seat to steer that investigation."
SART executive director Susan Moen would not comment on this specific case but said it is rare for a person who has been sexually assaulted to come forward to authorities, let alone publicly.
In the times survivors have self identified through social media, it's to show support for other survivors, said Moen, who referred to recent cases, such as the women who came forward in the Bill Cosby case and actress Evan Rachel Wood, who used social media to say she had been raped and to let others know that they are not alone.
Moen said survivors turn to social media to speak about experiences they have held back out of fear of being blamed.
"People who have been through this want to say 'this happened to me' and to be believed," she said. "They truly understand what it's like to sit in silence with this and hope that by reaching out something good can come out of a terrible experience."
She said one reason survivors report to law enforcement is to help someone else's case.
But there are drawbacks for being public. Posting allegations on Facebook could result in a defamation of character claim, according to legal experts, and open the person up to what Moen calls "intense scrutiny."
Here is the full text of Ashland High School Principal's email
Date: Tue, Dec 6, 2016 at 6:16 PM
Subject: Response to Sexual Assault Concerns
Dear Ashland Community,
You may have become aware of concerns around sexual assault at the high school as the result of some social media postings on December 5, 2016. At Ashland High School we take any allegations of sexual assault very seriously. Any time we become aware of an incident regarding sexual violence we vigorously investigate and take appropriate actions.
We have used, and will continue to use, an independent investigator with specific training in investigating these cases. These investigations involve interviews with survivors, alleged perpetrators, staff, parents and other witnesses.
When an investigation is concluded we are careful to follow all board and district policies as well as state and federal law to ensure that appropriate actions are taken. The emotional and physical safety of our students is of paramount importance.
If you or anyone you know has experienced sexual assault or harassment you may seek assistance through local law enforcement or consider accessing the You Have Options program through Jackson County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). Their web site is at http://www.jacksoncountysart.org/ or contact Susan Moen, Victims Advocate, at jcsart@charter.net. Ashland High School students may also contact me directly, or any Ashland High School Staff member for assistance.
To the survivors: Coming forward is your choice. You deserve to be heard. You deserve a place where you can learn with safety and confidence.
With Respect for All,
Erika Bare
Ashland High School Principal
- Janet Eastman
jeastman@oregonian.com
503-799-8739
@janeteastman