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Health & Fitness

SEXUAL ABUSE AT CRANSTON EAST

JUST THE FACTS:

We have knowledge of two sexual assaults that occurred last year at Cranston East on school grounds.  One took place during school hours.  The excellent student, who had never been in trouble had to leave the school, but the perpetrators are still there.  The school was supposed to follow it's own policy of suspending the perpetrators for ten days, but they did not follow this.  The perpetrators were arrested, and charges were pressed, but the police officer at the scene did not even charge them with the correct charge.  Instead of sexual assault, he chose to charge them with simple assault. One wonders how mistakes like this happen, or is it a mistake at all?  

Administration called meetings where nothing was accomplished but telling the victim to work out of a closed classroom in the basement.  Why is the solution to punish the victim?

The victim did not even get the courtesy of being told if and when the perpetrators would be back at school.  

The superintendent NEVER attended a meeting - is sexual assault so commonplace in this school system that it did not warrant her attendance at one meeting?  Of course, the lawyer was at every meeting.

The student had no options but to attend West.  This proved to not be an option because of the severe Post-Traumatic Stress brought on by the assaults.  The student was then faced with the only option of attending a more protective private school, at great expense.  The Cranston school department wasted no time in writing a letter saying that this student was no longer their problem and they would not hear any more requests for compensation of tuition.  Further follow up would require the hiring of lawyers and putting the student victim through continued stress.

Rumors of sexual misconduct at Cranston East are numerous.  We are aware of the storied 'prop room' where students have allegedly been seen giving hand jobs, etc. When addressed with this allegation, Principal Kelly does not deny this, but instead says 'the situation is being handled'.  This last is on audio tape.

Bottom line:  The Cranston School department neither protects nor helps students after they are assaulted on school grounds, even if a teacher is present and there are  numerous witnesses - as was the case here.  Cranston School's message to the parents of this student?  Go away.

Stay tuned for more.

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