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New numbers reported to the Florida Department of Education reveal the number of sexual assaults and offenses reported at Duval County Public Schools increased 55 percent last school year.
Law enforcement only took action on a fraction of those reports.
During the 2016-2017 school year, 62 sexual assaults and offenses were reported at Duval County Public Schools.
That’s a 55 percent increase over the previous school year, when there were 40 reports.
The Florida Department of Education defines sexual assault as a threat of sexual violence. The department’s definition of sexual offenses includes indecent exposure and sexual activity without force.
There were no reports of sexual battery, which the department defines as forced or attempted sexual violence.
Nine sexual assaults and offenses were reported at Mandarin High School – more than any other school in Duval County.
“What? That is crazy. I did not expect that at all,” said Mandarin High School senior Gregory Timofeyev.
It’s the school’s second year in a row at the top of the list.
“I never thought Mandarin High School would be like that, to be honest,” said senior Rob McQuaig.
Law enforcement took action on 16 out of last school year’s 62 reports of sexual assaults and offenses.
“Yeah, I think something has to change with that one. I think there’s definitely something – something’s not right,” said McQuaig.
Timofeyev said he questions whether other victims are afraid to come forward.
“If you’re sexually assaulted, you might be scared to tell anyone. You go through a lot. I know someone like that and, just, it’s terrible,” said Timofeyev.
DCPS spokesperson Laureen Ricks noted that total discipline events in the district declined by more than 7 percent last year.
“While we are never satisfied to see any number in any of these categories increase, the relatively small increases in the categories referenced do not fully reflect the bigger picture,” said Ricks in an emailed statement.
Action News Jax asked Ricks whether the school district is taking any new steps to protect students from sex crimes on campus.
“One such system is called Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS). This is a system in which school based teams identify and prioritize areas for proactive change relevant to that school to create a safe and civil environment.
nother is CHAMPS which assists teachers directly in developing a positive and proactive classroom management plan that helps students develop skills for responsible behavior and respectful engagement,” said Ricks in an emailed statement.
Cox Media Group
