Lawsuit claims former Beaufort County student was sexually assaulted, harassed over 2 years
A former student is suing the Beaufort County School District saying that school officials were negligent in their lack of response when she reported multiple sexual assaults and harassment by other students.
The former student, who was named only as “ER” in the lawsuit because of “the very sensitive nature of the facts” in the case, attended Bluffton High School, Hilton Head High School and Medical Homebound Instruction, a program that allows students who are unable to go to school the chance to continue their education from home.
The lawsuit alleges that ER was assaulted over the course of two years by four separate male students at Bluffton High School starting when she was 14 years old during the 2016-17 school year. At least one of the assaults took place on campus, according to the lawsuit.
ER and her parents reported the assaults to school officials, including a guidance counselor who allegedly told her to “stay away” from the first male student who assaulted her. When she was allegedly raped by a “star football” player at the school, officials discouraged her and her mother from taking the matter to the police “because it would result in him losing his football scholarship,” the lawsuit said. The girl’s parents did follow up with police but declined to press charges, according to the suit.
The lawsuit claims that district officials failed to accurately document the assaults as they happened and the bullying and harassment that took place afterward, which is a violation under Title IX, a federal civil rights law that prevents discrimination from schools and education programs that get federal funding.
The alleged inaction by school officials, labeled as “deliberately indifferent” and “clearly unreasonable,” contributed to an already hostile education environment for ER, the lawsuit said. Following the assaults, she was diagnosed with PTSD and major depressive disorder.
Since filing the lawsuit in November, ER and her attorney, Joshua Slavin, are waiting for the school district to file its response, Slavin told the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette on Sunday.
“It’s one thing to be a survivor of sexual assault, but then to have students harass you for it is pretty significant,” Slavin said. “A school is supposed to be a safe place of learning, but it became a hostile environment. The school did not respond in a reasonable way.”
Wendy Cartledge, an attorney for the school district, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Candace Bruder, a Beaufort County School District spokesperson, declined a request for comment citing that, per policy, the district does not comment on pending litigation.
The lawsuit is seeking damages for ER’s physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress and various other damages including lost educational opportunities.
If you, or someone you know, has been affected by sexual assault, help can be found by calling Hopeful Horizons’ 24-hour support line at 843-770-1070.
This story was originally published December 11, 2022 at 11:52 AM.
