Hundreds At H-F March Against School's Response To Sex Assault Claim

FLOSSMOOR, IL — Students flooded out of Homewood-Flossmoor High School Thursday afternoon, quickly filling the sidewalks and grass in front of and across from the school, rallying against the school's response to one student's sexual assault claim earlier this week.

"Stop the violence! Stop the rape!" the students shouted over a bullhorn, and "no means no!" Cries of "make us safe!" and "protect our bodies, protect our girls!" resounded.

Police quickly blocked traffic on Kedzie Avenue, as the students took to the streets. The mother of the accuser stood nearby, fielding questions from media.

"A lot of people are assuming that we're doing this," she said. "The students are doing this. ... It's empowering and it feels good to know. Even my daughter is happy because, it's bigger than her now."

The female student has alleged that she was sexually assaulted Monday morning by a male student during a breakout session in her theater class. Flossmoor police told Patch a male student was taken into custody in the incident, then later released to his father as an investigation continues.

After a smaller walkout Tuesday, students mobilized for a larger one Thursday. The students are concerned with the school's handling of the situation, calling for greater transparency from the school, and action to prevent further instances.

"The mislabeling of the incident that occurred was not only egregious lying to the students, but also lying to the parents of those students," one protester said. "In what way are students and staff and anybody on this campus supposed to be safe when we have instances like this where people are taken advantage of in the safety of the classroom? ... The classroom is supposed to be one of the safest places for a student. ... This happening was not only a misstep of security, but a misstep of administration, and a misstep of the district of 233."

The district has previously said that they immediately reported the incident to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, which is protocol.

Flossmoor detectives are working closely with the families and school administrators during the investigation, police said, and will conduct personal interviews with each student and any potential witnesses. Homewood-Flossmoor District 233 also previously said they immediately reported the incident to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, which is protocol.

The mother of the accuser said that the school's account of how the incident unfurled is not accurate. She alleges that the district has mischaracterized the incident as a more general instance of assault between two students. She also openly disagrees with how her daughter and the family were reportedly treated immediately following the incident.

"Imagine getting a call that your daughter just got raped during first period in a theater class, and you're flying to the school, and you have to battle them to see her face," she said. "... That made no sense to me."

She said the school withheld information initially, giving the family very few details about the incident.

Currently, the student is at home recovering. She is experiencing pain and is being treated with medication, her mother said.

"We're making sure she gets the help she needs," she said. "... She will not be returning to this school."

Student-activist Aaron MacIntyre spoke to reporters, noting that administrators have communicated to him and other concerned students a plan to create a student ambassador system, of which he will be a part.

"... Sexual harassment is also something that needs to be addressed," MacIntyre said. "This is one of the biggest steps to making sure we create a society and a culture at this school where rape is not tolerated. Because if sexual harassment is tolerated, people get away with things like comments and touches in the hallway, there may become an area where rape is also something that can take place. Addressing sexual harassment as it happens, as well, is also something we'll make sure we're doing moving forward... That is what I was told by the principal.

"It's up to the students and the people out here to keep the pressure up, because if we keep this pressure up, we can make things happen."

MacIntyre said the student body needs to unite and speak up against anything like this happening again in their school.

"Being at this school, every single person should be against rape and sexual assault, that shouldn't be a question," he said. "It shouldn't be women only having to do the work themselves. That's how it has been throughout history. Of course, now it's time for men and women, any other gender alignment, everyone needs to come out."