What would you do to protect your child from sexual abuse?

What if I tell you that pursuing a civil legal claim may allow for a measure of justice that helps survivors of sexual abuse in their healing process?

Krisel McSweeney filed a lawsuit against the School Board of Palm Beach County for the sexual harassment and assault by a male student who had a history of previous sexual misconduct. A press conference was held on September 3, 2021. According to the Complaint: · On or about October 13, 2017, Jane Doe reported to Seminole Ridge Community High School Vice Principal Randy Burden that earlier in the school day, Aggressor, a student football athlete, forcefully sexually assaulted her on school property while walking to class together. · Aggressor forcefully fondled Jane Doe’s vaginal area under her clothes, attempting to penetrate Jane Doe’s vagina, kissed Jane Doe and grabbed Jane Doe’s hand placing it on his genitals. Jane Doe did not consent to Aggressor’s sexual acts. On the contrary, Jane Doe tried to fight him off until she finally broke free and was able to seek help. · Despite there being video surveillance of Jane Doe’s sexual assault and Aggressor admitting to the sexual assault, the School failed to protect Jane Doe and institute appropriate and reasonable disciplinary measures against the perpetrator. · Prior to Jane Doe’s sexual assault, school officials and faculty members offered preferential treatment to male student athletes and ignored or failed to properly respond to allegations of sexual harassment or assault lodged against male student athletes at Seminole Ridge Community High School. · Further, prior to Jane Doe’s sexual assault, the School was on notice that Aggressor engaged in sexual misconduct with other female students. · The only action the School took after Jane Doe’s report is to suspend Aggressor from school after he sexually assaulted Jane Doe. Aggressor was purportedly suspended from school for two weeks; however, he was escorted to football practice during the two-week suspension, including on the same day of the sexual assault. · After reporting Aggressor’s sexual assault, Jane Doe was not offered information regarding resources or provided with safety measures while on school property. Aggressor remained in her same class, thus, she continued to see Aggressor on school campus. She was also bullied and harassed by other students due to her disclosure against Aggressor. The constant stress, depression and panic attacks Jane Doe experienced while at school resulted in an increase of absences and ultimately, Jane Doe dropped out her eleventh-grade year. Jane Doe would have graduated with her peers this year, instead she is still dealing with the negative effects of Aggressor’s violent sexual assault. JANE DOE v. SCHOOL BOARD OF PALM BEACH COUNTY was filed September 1, 2021 in the United States District Court Southern District of Florida.