FLOSSMOOR, Ill. (WLS) — A $3.5 million settlement has been reached in a sexual assault lawsuit involving a south suburban high school.
The family of a Homewood-Flossmoor High School student filed a lawsuit in December 2022, alleging the student was sexually assaulted during a theater class on Oct. 31 of that year.
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The suit was filed against the Board of Education of Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School District 233, its principal and a teacher for a lack of supervision and emotional distress.
The school notified the victim’s mother about the rape, but then confined her mother to a conference room at the school without providing any information about her daughter’s condition, attorneys alleged.
Flossmoor police reported to the school for a report of criminal sexual assault. They confirm a juvenile was detained and questioned, but he was not charged.
The family’s lawyer said they hope to shine a light on the “culture of sexual and physical violence” at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
And, they want to ensure that changes are made.
RELATED | Homewood-Flossmoor students hold walkout after sexual assault allegations
Lawyer Stephanie White, the victim’s mother Jessica Johnson, the victim Amayah Blair and more held a press conference on the settlement Tuesday morning.
A $3.5 million settlement has been reached in a sexual assault lawsuit involving a south suburban high school.
“While Illinois law allows for victims to proceed anonymously, Jessica and Amayah chose to share what happened to take a stand against violence of this nature and to prevent future occurrences by seeking change and accountability,” White said in a statement.
They said the issue is far from settled.
“All this I went through for the past couple years just for them still not to take any accountability, no, no relief or anything at all,” Blair said.
Blair is now 19.
She said the encounter when she was a minor changed her life forever.
Blair’s mother said she had hoped to hear more about changes at the District since then.
“It’s infuriating because you sent your child to school; you think they are safe. There has to be some things put in place, and it’s beyond this settlement and beyond this money,” Johnson said.
After the incident, students staged a walkout.
Titilayo Anoma organized some of the protests against Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s policies and training around allegations of sexual assault made by students.
“It felt like they weren’t trying to protect us as students because school is supposed to be a safe place,” Anoma said.
As for Blair and her mother, they say they have been threatened and harassed. But they say they wanted to speak publicly to prevent other incidents and to let survivors of sexual violence know they do have a voice.
“I don’t want anyone else to go through that, especially in place where they supposed to feel safe,” Blair said.
Attorneys for Blair and her mother said others have reached out, and there may be more litigation against the district.
In a statement, the Board of Education said in a statement:
“Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School’s insurance carrier entered into a settlement agreement on behalf of the district to resolve a lawsuit brought by a former female student. The case involved claims by the student that the school district should have anticipated and/or prevented an alleged sexual assault of the student by another male student in October of 2022.”
“The settlement does not admit any wrongdoing or fault by the school district or its staff.
“We continue to believe that our administration, teachers and staff responded swiftly and appropriately and in the best interests of the students. We also cooperated fully with the authorities investigating the matter.
“The district’s insurance carrier decided to settle this matter. As such, all costs associated with the district’s legal defense and all costs associated with the settlement will be paid by the carrier, and not from district funds.
“Given the circumstances, our Board of Education determined that the settlement was in the best interest of the district, to preserve district resources for student initiatives and programming.
“The settlement agreement has not been finalized. The district will communicate as fully as it can with families and stakeholders regarding the terms and details of the settlement, as soon as possible.
“Homewood-Flossmoor High School remains committed to its mission of serving students and to its values around transparency, compassion, and maintaining a safe learning environment. We will move forward and remain focused on our work – educating and supporting the 2,700 students who depend on us every day.”
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