Oakton Student Sues Over Sexual Assault On Band Trip

UPDATE: Sexual Assault Of Oakton Student Not Reported As Assault: FCPS

OAKTON, VA—An Oakton High School student is suing Fairfax County Public Schools for its response to an alleged sexual assault on a band trip.

The lawsuit claims a 17-year-old band member sexually assaulted the 16-year-old girl during a band trip to Indianapolis last March, Fox5DC reported. It alleges the victim was forced to touch the boy's genitals, and he touched her breasts and put his hand down her pants.

According to the lawsuit, the girl's friends told staff on the trip about it. She claims the staff did not properly help, and back at home FCPS officials discouraged her from reporting to police and warned her about punishment.

The victim's college application essay, sent to WJLA, discusses how the assault impacted her: "After my assault, I was broken, angry, scared, and vulnerable... I did not feel safe in my own school."

The lawsuit claims FCPS is violating the Title IX law by how it handled the victim's report.

A spokesperson for FCPS couldn't comment on the active lawsuit to WJLA. A statement to the news station reads, "As a general matter, FCPS takes all allegations of Title IX violations seriously, investigates those allegations and takes action where appropriate, including referrals to law enforcement for possible criminal prosecution."

Image via Shutterstock