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In a disturbing turn of events, a former Garfield High School student has filed a lawsuit against Seattle Public Schools, accusing the district of failing to prevent repeated sexual abuse she endured as a child.
According to King5, the victim alleges that she was raped multiple times by a volunteer weightlifting and basketball coach, Walter Junior Jones, 47, who is now facing two felony child rape charges. The abuse allegedly began in 2013 when the victim was just 13 years old and practicing with the girls' basketball team at Garfield High School at 400 23rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98122.
The complaint, filed by the now-24-year-old victim, claims the school district was negligent, discriminatory, and failed to report the sexual abuse. Court records show that Jones had a "Do Not Rehire" label on his record stemming from a 2008 incident at Ballard High School, where he was an assistant coach. However, he was still allowed to volunteer in the weight room with both boys and girls at Garfield by 2012.
The victim's lawyers argue that this misstep by the school district resulted in Jones having "access to the victim through his position as a volunteer coach" and that he "utilized his position to sexually violate the victim and inflict severe trauma upon her - trauma that is still present to this day."
According to the court documents, the alleged rapes and sexual assaults committed by Jones, who was then 36 years old, happened until just after the victim's 15th birthday. They occurred on school grounds, in different homes in the area, and other third-party locations.
The complaint also reveals that other employees, including the girls' basketball head coach, found Jones' behavior inappropriate at the time but did not know the extent of it. It was also discovered that the high school's athletic director at the time "knew Jones was working with Garfield's sports programs despite having neither the approval nor clearance to do so." Jones was eventually "removed" from the girls' basketball team in December 2013 and started working with the football team instead, but this still left him with access to shared facilities used by young girls.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community, raising questions about the district's accountability and the need for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable students. As the legal proceedings unfold, the former Garfield High School student seeks justice and hopes to prevent such a tragedy from happening to others.
This case has sent shockwaves through the community, raising questions about the district's accountability and the need for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable students. As the legal proceedings unfold, the former Garfield High School student seeks justice and hopes to prevent further sexual abuse by a high school volunteer coach. To better understand the legal options available to the victim and the importance of holding negligent parties responsible, we sat down with experienced sexual abuse lawyer, Mike Pfau.
Editor Darla Medina: This case is truly disturbing. What are the legal options available for victims in similar situations?
Attorney Mike Pfau: Victims in cases involving school sex abuse have several legal avenues to pursue. First and foremost, they may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the school district for negligence, discrimination, and failure to report sexual abuse. If the school district's negligence allowed the abuser access to students, despite their history of former incidents, is a clear failure in their duty to protect the victim.
Darla Medina: What advice would you give to victims in terms of seeking justice and accountability?
Mike Pfau: The most important thing is that the victim feels empowered and supported throughout the legal process. They should seek out experienced legal representation, as well as counseling and other resources, to help them begin to heal from the trauma they endured. It's also crucial that the school district is held fully accountable for its failure to protect the students so that systemic changes can be implemented to prevent such tragedies from happening to other students in the future.
Darla Medina: Thank you for your insights on this deeply troubling case. Victims of sexual abuse deserve justice, and it's clear that there are legal avenues available to hold negligent parties responsible.
Mike Pfau: You're welcome, Darla. This case highlights the importance of ensuring that our schools and communities are safe havens for our children, where they can learn, grow, and thrive without fear of harm. I hope the victim in this case finds the support and justice she deserves.
As this disturbing case highlights, victims of sexual abuse in schools face a long and difficult road to healing and justice. However, it's clear that experienced legal representation and a commitment to accountability can make a significant difference. If you or a loved one have been the victim of sexual abuse, we urge you to reach out for a free consultation. Our team of compassionate and dedicated attorneys is here to guide you through the legal process and ensure your voice is heard. Together, we can work to not only seek justice, but also drive the systemic changes needed to protect all students from harm.
Sources:
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