Oak Park, IL - Fenwick High School Teacher, John Quinn, Accused of Sexually Assaulting Two Students

College Prep Teacher Accused of Sexually Harassing Two Students

According to NBC Chicago, a teacher faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct from students at Fenwick High School, located at 505 Washington Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302. 

Two former students have alleged that the private Catholic American History teacher, John Quinn, would subject them to constant sexual harassment. One student, who graduated in 2015, said that Quinn even asked her how she thought it would feel if she "were to be sexually assaulted by him." After reporting the inappropriate touching and behavior to her parents and the school officials, the victim was pulled from his classroom and told to avoid him. However, the victim reported that he would routinely stalk her even after she graduated. 

The other victim, who recently shared a video detailing Quinn's misconduct, filed a report in September 2021. The abuse was said to have occurred between 2013 and 2014. While police were investigating the report, they found an earlier report of misconduct from 1990. 

Can I Sue For School Sexual Harassment?

Attorney contributor Brian Kent assists sex assault victims in private civil suits. He guides victims and their families to navigate the legal system and obtain the justice and financial compensation they deserve. In a recent interview, he discussed when victims could file a lawsuit for being sexually harassed by a high school teacher.

"High schools should be a safe place for children to learn and socialize. In fact, schools have a legal obligation to protect their student body from preventable dangers, such as sexual abuse. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in reports of sexual misconduct in schools around the country. Knowing this, school districts should take precautions to prevent it from happening on their campuses. These measures could include monitoring locker rooms, video monitoring cameras, and appropriately following up on any reports of misconduct. Additionally, all staff and teachers should undergo background checks to ensure they are free from a history of sexual misconduct. If the school district does not follow the safety standards, they may be held accountable in a civil case."

"In the event of sexual abuse, including sexual harassment, an investigation should be conducted to see if anything could have been done to prevent it. The school may be regarded as negligent if prior allegations of misconduct were reported but ignored. The victims and their families may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the school district or school officials in many cases of negligence. Speaking with an experienced school sexual assault lawyer can help victims, and their families determine the appropriate legal course of action."

Sources:

NBC Chicago