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NJ.com has reported that more former students have come forward with accusations of sexual and physical abuse ignored at Wall High School located at 1630 18th Ave, Wall Township, NJ 07719.
On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, the Wall Township Board of Education held its first meeting since beginning the investigation of the hazing incident. Those attending included current students, parents, and former students, many of whom recounted their horrors while enrolled at the school.
Tom Ridoux, the high school's athletic director, was placed on administrative leave. He joins three other district employees, allegedly coaches, that have been suspended during the hazing investigation.
The investigation of the recent hazing incident was not the only incident contributing to the history of the school's abusive culture. Many more took to the floor, revealing the depth of the situation.
One parent alleged that her son with Down Syndrome was sexually assaulted in 2012. He was forced to perform a sexual act on another football player in the locker room.
Another man recounted how his nephew had to crawl through urine after being locked in a bathroom stall. Despite the district being informed of the incident, no actions were taken until the victim's father retained a lawyer.
A former student who graduated in 1997 recalled two instances where he was terrorized by football players and wrestlers. During his sophomore year, he was dragged by his underwear in front of other football players, "like fresh kill," before being beaten by the players. When he was a senior, he was slammed to the floor by a wrestler while using the restroom. Despite informing the vice-principal, he insisted that those in positions of authority never investigated the allegations of abuse and bullying and that the school was "complicit."
At one point, a school board member acknowledged that the issues being discussed were not new but were ongoing for over a decade. Another board member, who graduated in 1997 with the former student, agreed that he had seen acts such as abuse and bullying.
Read earlier reports of alleged abuse at Wall High School:
Attorney contributor Guy D'Andrea represents sex abuse victims and their families in civil lawsuits. He guides families through the legal process, helping them get the justice and financial compensation they deserve. In a recent interview, Brian highlighted some basics regarding a victim's legal right to file an abuse lawsuit for sexual abuse at school.
"High schools should be a safe place for children to learn and socialize; this is inclusive of athletic fields and locker rooms. The school district has a legal responsibility to ensure its students are safe from preventable dangers, including sexual and physical abuse. Unfortunately, bullying and hazing incidents have been reported in schools across the country. Knowing this, the school officials should implement safety measures to prevent it from occurring. These could include monitoring locker rooms, cameras in common areas, and properly following up if misconduct is reported. If the school district or school employees fail to follow the safety procedures, they can be deemed negligent and held liable in a civil lawsuit."
"If abuse occurs, an investigation should determine if the school was negligent or failed to prevent the incident. If they were found to have prior reports of misconduct but failed to improve their security measures, they may be considered negligent. In many cases of neglect, the victim and their family may have grounds to pursue a lawsuit against the school district or officials. Speaking to an experienced school sexual abuse victim attorney may help victims, and their families determine their best legal actions."
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