ACLU to represent Unioto student following assault
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CHILLICOTHE - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio announced this week that it will represent the family of a Unioto High School student who was attacked allegedly because of his sexual orientation. The incident occurred on Oct. 17 at the school, and was recorded on a cell phone camera by another student. The victim suffered physical injuries as a result. The video of the incident was posted on youtube and received with more than 1.3 million views.
The ACLU sent a letter to school officials informing them of their representation of the family, and inviting them to discuss solutions before formal legal action is filed.
“Every child deserves a safe learning environment, free from violence and cruelty,” said ACLU of Ohio Legal Director James L. Hardiman. “The school had a responsibility to protect (the student), but looked the other way for over a year while he was verbally and physically bullied. Schools must proactively address bullying by engaging with students and teachers on the effects of harmful words and actions, or else risk even greater incidents of violence. This education must start at a young age in order to change the school’s culture, so this behavior is no longer acceptable.”
According to the teen and his family, he had been the victim of escalating verbal and physical school bullying for at least a year. His mother, according to the ACLU, said she reported the incidences to the school several times, but no action was taken.
The Chillicothe Gazette reported in October that according to the initial Ross County Sheriff's Office report, "the two boys were on their way to a third-period class when they 'bumped shoulders.' The 15-year-old suspect told deputies he has a mental illness, that he 'just zoned out,' and didn't know why (he began punching).
The vicim has not returned to school, and last week the aggressor in the altercation "pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge, Ross County Prosecutor Matt Schmidt said. The judge in the case ordered a predisposition report and a victim impact statement. He also ordered the teen to wear an ankle monitor and check in with a probation officer twice a week," according to The Gazette.
“This has been an ongoing nightmare for our family. No parent wants to see their child in danger, and it has been a constant fear that Zach or one of our loved ones would be harmed,” said the victim's mother. “Through (his) ordeal, I hope schools recognize they must take reports of bullying seriously and educate others on how it affects families.”
Unioto Superintendent Dwight Garrett told The Gazette on Tuesday that the district had received the ACLU's letter and under the advisement of legal counsel, declined to comment further.
“Union-Scioto School District failed to keep (him) from harm. Now, they must take proactive steps to change the culture of their school so that discrimination based on sexual orientation is no longer tolerated. It will be a long road that must begin when children are young, but can be achieved through creative and honest dialogue on the impact of bullying and discrimination,” Hardiman said.
CHILLICOTHE - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio announced this week that it will represent the family of a Unioto High School student who was attacked allegedly because of his sexual orientation. The incident occurred on Oct. 17 at the school, and was recorded on a cell phone camera by another student. The victim suffered physical injuries as a result. The video of the incident was posted on youtube and received with more than 1.3 million views.
The ACLU sent a letter to school officials informing them of their representation of the family, and inviting them to discuss solutions before formal legal action is filed.
“Every child deserves a safe learning environment, free from violence and cruelty,” said ACLU of Ohio Legal Director James L. Hardiman. “The school had a responsibility to protect (the student), but looked the other way for over a year while he was verbally and physically bullied. Schools must proactively address bullying by engaging with students and teachers on the effects of harmful words and actions, or else risk even greater incidents of violence. This education must start at a young age in order to change the school’s culture, so this behavior is no longer acceptable.”
According to the teen and his family, he had been the victim of escalating verbal and physical school bullying for at least a year. His mother, according to the ACLU, said she reported the incidences to the school several times, but no action was taken.
The Chillicothe Gazette reported in October that according to the initial Ross County Sheriff's Office report, "the two boys were on their way to a third-period class when they 'bumped shoulders.' The 15-year-old suspect told deputies he has a mental illness, that he 'just zoned out,' and didn't know why (he began punching).
The vicim has not returned to school, and last week the aggressor in the altercation "pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge, Ross County Prosecutor Matt Schmidt said. The judge in the case ordered a predisposition report and a victim impact statement. He also ordered the teen to wear an ankle monitor and check in with a probation officer twice a week," according to The Gazette.
“This has been an ongoing nightmare for our family. No parent wants to see their child in danger, and it has been a constant fear that Zach or one of our loved ones would be harmed,” said the victim's mother. “Through (his) ordeal, I hope schools recognize they must take reports of bullying seriously and educate others on how it affects families.”
Unioto Superintendent Dwight Garrett told The Gazette on Tuesday that the district had received the ACLU's letter and under the advisement of legal counsel, declined to comment further.
“Union-Scioto School District failed to keep (him) from harm. Now, they must take proactive steps to change the culture of their school so that discrimination based on sexual orientation is no longer tolerated. It will be a long road that must begin when children are young, but can be achieved through creative and honest dialogue on the impact of bullying and discrimination,” Hardiman said.
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