Babylon Alumni React To Teacher's Not Guilty Plea For Rape Charge

BABYLON, NY — A group of Babylon alumni and allies are calling on the school district to take further action, after a special education teacher pleaded "not guilty" to multiple rape charges on Wednesday.

Timothy Harrison, 46, of Oak Beach, was charged with two counts of third-degree rape, two counts of third-degree criminal sexual act, and endangering the welfare of a child in federal court in Riverhead, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Harrison pleaded not guilty to raping a 15-year-old student in 2013, and previously posted bail of $25,000, which was transferred, officials said.

Babylon Alumni & Allies For Change, an advocacy group that aims to bring justice for those who claim to have been abused by Babylon School District employees, released a statement regarding the updates in Harrison's case.

"Today’s grand jury indictment of Babylon School District teacher and coach, Timothy Harrison,
is a disquieting reminder of the unsafe culture that has been able to foster for too long at BHS," the statement read. "BAAC continues to extend its support to this victim and all others, as well as current students, affected alumni, and the greater Babylon community. We recognize the difficulty of this situation for all involved and know that it is easy for no one. It is our hope that the multiple counts against this teacher will motivate current district residents to mobilize and join us in our efforts to effect meaningful change for current and future students."

The group was founded after numerous alumni accused teachers of sexual abuse this fall. Since then, "the BUFSD has made little progress in the way of protecting Babylon’s children," it read. "To date, it has not articulated a comprehensive strategy for transforming the culture within the school that resulted in the victimization of countless young women."

The statement then addresses actions put in place by the Babylon Board of Education, as of its March meeting. Superintendent Linda Rozzi announced the district's multiple implementations, such as the "Let's Talk" app, where students, teachers and parents can file a report. The app should go live at the end of March, she said.

Rozzi also shared that the district has provided several Dignity for All Students Act workshops, and focus groups for Babylon parents.

But BAAC stated that more action needs to take place.

"Parent and student focus group findings go unshared; the “Let’s Talk” reporting app is not yet live; the only policy under revision," it read. "The fraternization policy remains in draft with no clear indication of how it will be implemented and overseen; and it appears that no special funds for student and staff training or other preventative and supportive measures have been included in the 2022 to 2023 school year budget."

The letter then claims that several employees who were reassigned at home in November after they were accused of sexual or emotional abuse have returned to working with students. The letter also said that in the March meeting, a current student shared with the board how she feels that students' needs are not being met.

Darcy Bennett and Carolyn El Serafi, co-organizers and founders of BAAC also took to social media, creating a video discussing their opposition of Harrison's plea.

"We envision a world where students are adequately educated about and protected from
emotional abuse and sexual violence by the staff members and administrators responsible for
their care," the statement concluded. "And that the responsible parties are held appropriately accountable when they are not."

The Babylon School District and Kevin Keating, who represents Harrison, both declined to comment.

To read BAAC's full statement, click here.