Key Highlights
- The family of an 8-year-old girl is suing Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, alleging their daughter was sexually assaulted by older students.
- The incident allegedly occurred during school hours and involved a “Kissing Club” where older girls pressured younger ones into sexual activities.
- Parents claim the school failed to provide adequate supervision and did not report the activity promptly, leading to a potential cover-up.
- This is the second lawsuit against Sierra Canyon School with similar allegations.
School Sued Over Alleged Sexual Assault by Older Students
CHATSWORTH, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — In a deeply troubling incident, the family of an 8-year-old girl is suing Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, alleging their daughter was sexually assaulted by older students. The lawsuit highlights concerns over inadequate school supervision and potential cover-ups.
Incident Details
The alleged assault took place during school hours in the bathrooms of Sierra Canyon School, a private institution serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade. According to the family, their daughter was part of a so-called “Kissing Club,” where older girls coerced younger ones into engaging in sexual activities.
Parental Concerns and Legal Action
“As a mother, the feeling of being hopeless and not being able to protect my child from this harm that 100% could have been avoided is crushing. My focus is on the systems and the safeguards that have failed to protect my child,” said the victim’s mother.
The family has accused the school of failing to provide adequate supervision, and when staff learned about the activity, including finding video evidence on students’ phones, they allegedly did not notify the victim’s parents or law enforcement in a timely manner. The lawsuit claims this behavior constitutes a violation of California’s mandatory reporting laws.
Previous Lawsuit and School Response
This is the second lawsuit against Sierra Canyon School with similar allegations. ABC7 has reached out to the school, but no statement has been released regarding the current lawsuit. In a previous case, the alleged ringleader of the “Kissing Club” was not expelled and does not currently attend the school.
Legal Proceedings
The exact timeline and future legal actions remain uncertain as this is an ongoing matter. However, the legal community closely monitors such cases to ensure schools take necessary steps in protecting students from harm. Parents and educators alike are calling for stringent measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For more updates on this and other stories impacting families and communities across Los Angeles, stay tuned with KABC Television.
