School Makes Girl Write Apology To Her Rapist, Then He Rapes Her Again

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Aug 18, 2011 in Oh Hell No! | 61 comments

Springfield, Missouri’s Republic School District is having its pants sued off for its shocking failure to appropriately deal with the rape, and subsequent second rape, of a 7th grade special ed student.

The girl, who is not identified by name because of her age, reported to school officials in the spring of 2009 that she had been raped by a classmate. Required by Missouri’s Child Abuse Reporting Law to report the sexual assault to the Division of Family Services or to Greene County Juvenile Authorities, the school chose not to, and instead told the girl that they did not believe her.

It gets worse.

Republic School officials, including Superintendent Vern Minor, middle school Principal Patricia Mithelavage, counselor Joni Ragain, and school resource officer Robert Duncan then forced the girl to endure “multiple intimidating interrogations” until she recanted her accusal.

The lawsuit points out that the school’s own psychological profile on the girl stated that because of her disability, she “would forego her own needs and wishes to satisfy the request of others around so that she can be accepted.” Essentially, the school’s own file on their student said she was inclined to take back her own story under duress in order to please her teachers.

It gets even worse.

Republic School District then made the girl write a letter apologizing to her rapist and forced her to deliver it to him personally, before expelling her for the rest of the school year.

The following year after she was permitted to return to school, officials denied her mother’s request for extra monitoring and refused to separate her from her alleged rapist. Although the boy continued to attack and harass her, she did not complain to the school for fear of being expelled again.

Unfortunately, it gets much worse.

In February 2010, the boy allegedly forcibly raped the girl again, this time in the back of the school library. While school officials allegedly expressed skepticism of the girl, her mother took her to the Child Advocacy Center and an exam showed a sexual assault had occurred. DNA in semen found on the girl matched the DNA of the boy she accused, the suit says.

The boy was taken into custody in Juvenile Court and pleaded guilty to charges, the suit says. The specific charges are not stated in the suit.

Ugh. That poor young girl!

The lawsuit filed this summer claims, “School Officials acted recklessly in conscious disregard of and with deliberate indifference to the risk of [the girl’s] safety by failing to conduct an investigation into her allegations of rape and sexual assault, by suspending her from school, and by failing to provide her with any protection from her rapist.” Which is kind of a no-brainer.

And finally, it gets even worse.

The Republic School District is counter-suing the girl for attorney’s fees, calling the suit frivolous and not based in fact.

The rape kit proving she was sexually assaulted is hardly fictional. And the DNA evidence proving the accused was indeed the rapist is hardly imaginary.

This school is unbelievable clearly a danger to their own students. This story makes us sick.

(via News Leader)

http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Cox/1308360442 Christopher Cox

OMG this makes me sick and hate the fact that I am from the same state. someone needs a smack down
http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Cox/1308360442 Christopher Cox

Omg. this makes me sick a regret the fact I am from the same state!
http://www.facebook.com/Rawr.Is.A.Love.Sound Chrystaline Rae Taylor

this is absolutely disgusting!! Makes me fear for our children in schools especially if these people are so stupid as to neglect every fact thrown at them. That just means they know they’re in serious trouble and are on the edge of losing there careers because of this…

MarleneB

On the edge, Chrys? I think it went down the toilet the nanosecond the administration did nothing to stop the continued harassment!

I hope the suit forces each and every administrator to resign, and the entire school board to be decertified and the voters elect a totally brand new board, with *severe* state restrictions and observation of the district from top to bottom!

http://www.facebook.com/LdbsMouse Lori Brooks-Smith

OMG, that is absolutely horrible. Why on earth would something like this happen in the US in this day & age…. really????? We haven’t learned to listen when girls tell us they have been raped? Horrible. The mother should have reported it to DHS herself the first time but that aside nothing excuses those school officials.

http://www.facebook.com/Bob.A.Ferret Bob A Ferret

I will lay odds the mother was unaware of the option until it was far too late. Many people learn about these things after the need has arisen and thew opportunity is gone.

http://www.facebook.com/joslyn29 Joslyn Ching

This is ridiculous. Absolutely horrendous. What kind of people do they think they are, to harass and intimidate a girl like that? Especially one with special needs. I hope the school officials who dealt with this are all fired, point-blank. If I were running a school, this would not be tolerated at all. Women should feel safe enough within the walls of their schools to report wrongdoings, especially rapes. It’s victim-blaming and slandering like this that makes it so difficult for women to report rape.

That poor girl…my heart goes out to her, and her family, for this travesty.
http://www.facebook.com/wolfgangpwnz Wolfgang Damien Von Zennishion

Every staff member involved in the case needs to be sent to jail and never allowed around children ever again. Plus enough money award to the girl so her mother can send her to any school she wants where she will be taken care of PROPERLY for the rest of her life.

F–king disgusting. I hope someone rapes and tortures them in prison.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CDYJAVTXFMHT4XI2GHEF6FSRYY Jenni

AMEN!!!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=514325415 Mariah Ragan

Horribly sad.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Caleb-Andrew-Beal/100001164471662 Caleb Andrew Beal

this happens all the time and it truly sad. Sexism is alive and well.
Anonymous

And let’s not forget the last paragraph in the report you linked to, in which the district’s response to the lawsuit is mentioned and can be boiled down to “She was asking for it.” These people are beyond loathsome.
http://www.facebook.com/drakhi Kurt Ferguson

Fire them all and charge them all with two counts of accessory to rape. I bet that will give them some pause next time they try and dismiss a rape case.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Luinne-DLlard/100001583873176 Luinne D’Llard

I hereby appoint Mr. Ferguson to the prosecution. ♥

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000042657210 Seal Pup

I second that

http://www.facebook.com/KefetxMelodie Melodie Renee Hawkins

I will third that, and add how speechless and mortified I am by all this.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Sean-Duchinsky/1287163605 Sean Duchinsky

there are no words to show how reprehensible this is. i so hope, for the girl’s sake, that that school district and everyone involved in this travesty are sued out of existence and that the rapist finds out first hand how horrible a crime it is to victimize someone weaker than himself.
http://www.facebook.com/eliza.bassett Elizabeth Bassett

This is one of my nightmares from school. I was one of those “Stick ‘em in the closet until we figure out what to do with them,” Special Ed kids, separated because I was socially awkward and slower on the uptake in Science and Math. Thankfully, despite a decade of being mocked, outcast and bullied, THIS Never happened to me. It totally sucks that it happens at all- but for schools to so horribly DENY that it happened is just altogether WRONG!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bisson-Farmer/100000900649821 Amy Bisson Farmer

Is there any contact information for the local school board so we can make sure they know how outraged people are about this?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Nichole-Isabella-Villanueva/100000245284721 Nichole Isabella Villanueva

yes i have the name and the number for one of the staff involved of this sickness.
Superintendent
Republic R-III School District
Ph: 417-732-3605
Office Hours:8:00-5:00 M-F

Anonymous

Horrifying.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1291314259 William L. Bussear II

Yes! Charge them with acessory after the fact!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1321281186 Ted Laserdisc Chalfen

well this is the worst thing I’ve read today
Anonymous

They should all be beaten with a kendo stick
until all the hide off their backs have been ripped away. And then roll
them in salt.
http://www.facebook.com/emeraldtreeboa Noel Hardy

I love our public school system.

IT’S SUCH A GOOD THING.

. . . I lied. It’s a horrible thing. It’s legal child abuse. When you send your child to a place that has been established to have thugs, rapists, thiefs, in some cases murderers, prostitutes, and so on. It should constitute neglect on the part of the parents. The worst part is every tax-paying american supports this with their wallets. It’s so revolting.

http://www.facebook.com/Laid.Evil.Beotch.St.Joan Mikie R-c

I do not think though that there was neglect on the parents part. I believe that the ones at fault are those who are in the school system who took an oath to help protect our children.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1520798926 Laura Stubbs

There’s a lot of parents out there who simply can’t manage any other option, either financially, or just don’t have the childcare. I’m lucky enough to be able to virtual school my oldest daughter after issues with her school (she’s special needs and we spent most of her kindergarten year getting calls from her teacher to come pick her up because they couldn’t handle her).

http://www.facebook.com/XoXMartyrXoX Benji Rainbow Lake

Scum like this doesn’t deserve a lawful dealing with. Hang them with barbed wire by the wrists and cut the bottom of their feet just enough to slowly drip them dry of every drop that was wasted sustaining their horrid excuse of a life…
http://www.facebook.com/kpoprainbow Michael Angelo Nicholas

how much money is she gettin?
http://www.facebook.com/tonya.crosland Tonya Crosland

that is the most twisted thing I have ever read. What is the world coming to these days…
Anonymous

No comment from the Mayor or local politicians?
So nauseating that two of the adults involved in violating this child were WOMEN.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Emily-Phillips/848844856 Emily Phillips

[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/people/Grey-Diamond/1547664306 Grey Diamond

*puke*
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=779136693 Charles Fee

Stories like this just add to why I’m more ashamed with each passing day to have been born an American citizen.
http://www.facebook.com/FreshinOmaha Robert Rustan

they all should have to endure the pain this girl went through and then lock them up and throw away the key. Also it makes you think how many times have they turned there backs on this kinda stuff
http://www.facebook.com/FreshinOmaha Robert Rustan

they all should have to endure the pain this girl went through and then lock them up and throw away the key. Also it makes you think how many times have they turned there backs on this kinda stuff
http://www.facebook.com/GardenCityGreyhounds Jenny Heater

I agree with the others.. The school system officials involved need to be charged with accesory to rape and child endangerment… and reckless endangerment.
My question is also… Why, after the first rape, would the mother want to send that poor girl back to that school?!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VQTUOGRCAAMJJLXCVI3LHZZ2ME Cc

i think i am legitimately about to cry. this is one of the most tragic and negligent things i have ever heard. my heart and prayers is with that poor girl and her family
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1682600193 Greg Phillips

Disgusting. Turns out the bigoted backwater states are still sexist even.
http://www.facebook.com/CaseKindaRocks Case Bruyr

I was, unfortunately, a student in one of Vern Minor’s schools when he was a superintendent in Kansas. He is a ridiculous religious fanatic, which always lead him to the theory of “to error is human, to forgive divine…”…bullshit. He’s a confused person, and he deserves to lose his career and finally grab a dose of humility.
http://www.facebook.com/CaseKindaRocks Case Bruyr

Although it WAS always fun to call him “Mr. Minor”…and have him interrupt whatever you were saying to yell “IT’S DOCTOR MINOR! I’M A DOCTOR!” (not kidding)
http://www.facebook.com/wolfspike Shawn Lawrence

this is deeply disturbing
http://twitter.com/SeaSerpent SeaSerpent

[email protected]

Give him hell. I did.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_RAO6XOJC6YVG5HV7U5RURNZRK4 Stephen

this is a lesson to EVERYONE! stop going to your school administrators if someone commits a crime. Who does the rest of america call when they witness or are a victim of a crime. THE GOD DAMNED POLICE THATS WHO! Shools have liablility and the police dont. thats why schools will ALWAYS hide their problems or pretend they dont exist. Why do you think schools dont do anything whatsoever about bullying? hello people have we learned anything yet?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_RAO6XOJC6YVG5HV7U5RURNZRK4 Stephen

schools* and yes I know police also have liablility issues to deal with but not in the same ways schools do.
http://www.facebook.com/estrada.matty Carla Ann Estrada

Douche bags. Adults are here to guide and protect children not do them harm, but as I look out at the world today I see more and more harm being done to children. I can’t stand it. Crimes against children should hold the worst sentence the law will allow.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jennifer-H-Spurlock/100000497717559 Jennifer H Spurlock

does this remind anyone of the catholic priest molestation trials? this was handled in much the same way except they didn’t even transfer the offender or try to cover it up.
http://www.facebook.com/LittleMsGoth Denise Lindsey

This story is another reason I’m SO glad I home school.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=643182061 Fredo Troy

Wow. I would definitely sue the asses off of anyone I could who put that girl through this.
Anonymous

As a future educator, I cannot believe that people who’ve claimed to devote their lives to helping children succeed could ever do this to a child. She’s young, she has special needs, and they put her through the humiliating act of apologizing to her rapist? And are proceeding to counter-sue as if she’s wasting their time and they’re in the right? It’s absolutely sickening. What’s the point of trying to cover your ass when you’re not even acting like a human being? I hope they get the full force of the universe upon them to try to bring some justice to this mistake. Set precedence that schools cannot sweep anything even remotely like this under the rug again. They were obligated by LAW to report the incident and the evidence is all against them. There’s no way they’ll weasel out of this.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZPAGPIBBGS2WFMJ4Y6GWCHM3SM Wade Wade

I say sue them and then give them a “Texas funeral”.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ruth-A-Lopez/1325083598 Ruth A Lopez

I just want to know one thing: The kid who raped her, who are his parents? Are they Republicans too? Are they politically aligned with the people who protected the rapist and punished the raped child?

Eileen Finn

You’re going to make assumptions and bring politics into this? You’re an idiot. This is about the failure of a school to protect a child, not your political agenda.

http://www.facebook.com/jhdolven Jim Dolven

I have just the place for everyone from the school system involved in this. We need new targets out at the shooting range. They would work splendidly.
dr.satannz

WOTA PACK OF FUCKN WANKERS SACK THE LOT OF THEM AND THROW THEM IN JAIL
http://www.facebook.com/people/Virgo-Elizabeth-LaVierge/1181809716 Virgo Elizabeth LaVierge

This is digusting.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=887180542 Michael Blank

I hope she takes the school for all they have. And hopefully the faculty will be charged as well.

Keep us updated on this UB
http://twitter.com/MrPapaya Dennis

I want to go break those school “official’s” kneecaps.
http://twitter.com/nisalisarenee Sophie Clifton

Welcome to Chinese America, where a girl isn’t worth squat.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1132429329 Amanda McDonald

This disgusts me, but doesn’t surprise me. Nothing Missouri or its people surprises me.
http://www.facebook.com/kmalexx Kharism Makximo Alekxeindr Roz

This makes me sick! Just because the girl has special needs does not mean she doesn’t need the same protections the rest of us expect. I hope the poor girl is able to recover from this.

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