News Summary
Florence 1 Schools faces a federal lawsuit regarding an alleged sexual assault that occurred at West Florence High School. The lawsuit alleges that the school failed to properly inform the victim and did not follow legal reporting requirements. The victim, a 16-year-old with disabilities, has been left traumatized and has transitioned to another school. The case raises serious questions about the school’s handling of such incidents, with calls for accountability and better protective measures for students.
Florence Faces Troubling Federal Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Assault at West Florence High School
Florence is making headlines recently for all the wrong reasons, as Florence 1 Schools finds itself in a serious legal battle. A federal lawsuit has been filed concerning an alleged sexual assault that took place back in November 2023 on the West Florence High School campus. This incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious questions about how the school district has handled the situation.
The Incident that Launched a Lawsuit
At the heart of the lawsuit is a disturbing event involving a 17-year-old male student who has been charged with criminal sexual conduct in the first degree against a 16-year-old female student, referred to as Jane Doe in the legal documents. The details emerging from a three-page police report released by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office indicate that two school principals contacted the School Resource Officer (SRO) about the situation, suspecting a possible rape had occurred. According to the report, the SRO rushed to the scene and activated a body camera upon arrival, hoping to document the unfolding chaos.
Raising Concerns Over School Response
It appears that the school’s response to this grave incident has left a lot to be desired. Jane Doe, who has multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy and various learning disabilities, was not informed of what had happened until nearly two weeks after the assault by a school administrator. Alarmingly, the administrator even requested that Jane’s mother, referred to as Mary Doe, reach out to a journalist to keep the details under wraps. This lack of communication has left many parents scratching their heads—or worse, feeling deeply frustrated.
The lawsuit accuses the Florence 1 Schools district of failing to keep students, parents, and the local community informed about such a serious incident. It also alleges that the district did not report the occurrence to the South Carolina Department of Education as required by law. This lack of transparency raises some serious red flags regarding how incidents of this nature are managed at the school. In fact, this isn’t the first time concerns have arisen over how the district deals with violent incidents. The lawsuit points out that the district reported zero forced sex offenses for the 2023 school year.
Legal Claims and Mental Health Concerns
As far as the lawsuit goes, the legal team’s concerns are many. They assert that Florence 1 Schools has violated Title IX, which is all about protecting students from sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. The school district’s alleged failure to create a learning environment free from harassment and sexual violence against Jane Doe lies at the center of their complaint. Additionally, the claim includes allegations of negligence, failure to report sexual assault, defamation of character, and violations tied to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Jane Doe’s family has not only expressed concern over the school’s lack of action but also reported that the young girl is suffering—mentally and physically—as a result of this situation. Due to the trauma from the incident, she has even had to transition to a different school, a move that many see as both unfortunate and disruptive. The family is seeking both actual and punitive damages, as they feel it is imperative that the school district is held accountable for this incident.
What’s Next for Florence 1 Schools?
As it stands, the lawsuit has been formally served to Florence 1 Schools; however, the district has yet to issue a public statement—most likely due to Fall intersession. The responses from the school have been minimal, with only a vague acknowledgment that an investigation is ongoing regarding the report of two exceptional education students.
This situation in Florence is a developing story, and many are watching closely to see how the school district responds to the serious allegations against it. The issues raised in this lawsuit paint a concerning picture of the safeguarding measures—or lack thereof—being implemented in schools today. Parents, students, and community members await further developments, hoping for a resolution that honors the safety and wellbeing of all students involved.
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Additional Resources
- ABC News 4
- WBTW News
- WMBF News
- Post and Courier
- WMBF News (Another Incident)
- Wikipedia: Sexual Assault
- Google Search: Florence School District Lawsuit
- Google Scholar: Florence Sexual Assault Lawsuit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Assault
- Google News: Florence One Schools
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
