Disturbing School Sexual Assault

One of the happiest moments for parents and their children is high school graduation, creating lifelong memories. Unfortunately, some high school memories are best forgotten. A local mother and her daughter spoke to the Monroe Dispatch about two alleged incidents at Neville High School in Monroe, LA, that have profoundly affected them. The mother chose to speak out only after her daughter graduated, fearing earlier disclosure might have jeopardized her daughter’s credits and diploma.

The mother alleges the first incident occurred on September 13, 2023, during an open house. While meeting her daughter’s teachers, she encountered the principal, who allegedly asked if she had been cooking due to her work apron. She felt mocked and humiliated in front of others, including her daughter’s math teacher. The principal's comments were offensive and racially charged, leaving her disturbed and upset. She felt verbally assaulted and disrespected, questioning how a professional could mock a parent publicly. The situation worsened from there.

The mother alleges that on October 20, 2023, she got a call from her daughter. It was pep rally day at Neville and her daughter had gone to the restroom when suddenly a female student allegedly grabbed her touching her private area and her breasts. The mother said the female student allegedly ran into a stall and locked it. Her daughter said she was horrified and quickly told a lady outside the restroom what had just happened. The lady seemed to be sympathetic, apologizing to her daughter, and allegedly admonished the female student about touching someone inappropriately. The female student allegedly smirked at her daughter and left with a teacher, as her daughter stayed in the restroom until the mother arrived at the school. When the mother and daughter met with the principal, he appeared to dismiss the female student's behavior as insignificant, promising to investigate and follow up with a report. However, the mother reported that they never received a call or a report. Her daughter experienced constant anxiety and fear, crying frequently and expressing embarrassment, fearing bullying if the incident was known. She eventually wanted to return to online classes. The situation worsened as her daughter avoided the restroom, which her mother warned was unhealthy. The unresolved issue and the alleged lack of punishment for the female student added to their stress as the school term continued without resolution.

She said that on March 4, 2024, she was told by the school resource officer that he "was not aware" of a sexual assault that had taken place. According to the mother, the officer then said something shocking. He allegedly said that the sexual assault "was not a huge deal" because there was no penetration. A report was taken and upon reviewing it, the mother said that she found it to be vague and without proper details, suggesting that the officer had spoken to the principal after their meeting. The mother said she was told counselors "are strictly for making schedules" and not for "incidental things", advising her to seek a personal counselor for her daughter. Perhaps sexual assault on school grounds is not a traumatizing experience, at least enough for a counselor to immediately console a student when they don't know what the results of an experience are. Could the school have provided a counselor for her daughter on the day of the incident when she needed consoling? The mother believes Neville High School failed her daughter and that someone should be held accountable. She feels her daughter's high school memories are tainted because the school did little to support her after the alleged incident. Despite this, the mother sacrificed greatly to ensure her daughter, who had a 3.6 GPA, could graduate with dignity. Her biggest hope is that speaking out about her daughter’s experience prevents similar suffering for others.