In a recent report released by the National Review it was discovered that the Alexandria School District withheld information from parents regarding the nature of a violent sexual assault that sent one student to the hospital. The incident that took place at Minnie Howard High School last October led to a police investigation, but police later declined to share additional details on the case as all involved parties were minors.
- Parents left int dark: on details surrounding the findings of the police investigation. However, a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that school-board members, the superintendent, and the mayor were all made aware of these details through a series of emails. The emails were exchanged days before a school board meeting to consider the reinstatement of school resources officers to the city’s public schools. In the meeting, the school board failed to meaningfully address the sexual assault case and provide any details into the investigation.
- What parents are saying: “Parents had zero communication regarding this incident. This crime should scare parents. If parents knew what had happened, parents could have necessary talks with their children and pressure the school to increase safety,” said Alexandria parent Molly Kaiman in an interview with National Review.
- Disturbing trend: this incident marks the second time in under a year that a Northern Virginia public school system has faced public backlash over its handling of sexual assault case. The case in Loudoun County where the school district failed to reveal details surrounding the sexual assault of a student in a school bathroom garnered national news coverage.
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