Former students allege years of sex abuse at NC School of Arts
Seven former students at the North Carolina School of Arts in Winston-Salem are suing the school, former administrators and one teacher for what they say was years of sexual abuse. Their attorneys say the plaintiffs aren't alone and hope to find other victims and witnesses to seek justice.
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California attorney Gloria Allred, who has represented sexual abuse victims in rapper R. Kelly’s rape trial and currently represents three women in the Harvey Weinstein rape case, is the lead attorney in the lawsuit against NCSA.
The plaintiffs in the current lawsuit offer details about inappropriate touching, sexual relationships with staff members, constant pornographic speech from teachers and sexual grooming of young boys.
The lawsuit claims complaints were made by the students about the activity in the 1970’s and 1980’s, but nothing was ever done.
Allred spoke about the negligence during a video press conference today, "And despite the knowledge acted with deliberate indifference and failed to report, intervene, investigate, discipline, pursue criminal charges, stop the abuse and exploitation or otherwise take any action to protect the plaintiffs and other students."
The sexual abuse accusations cover multiple disciplines at the school, including the dance, film and drama departments.
In a response to the lawsuit, chancellor Brian Cole said the allegations were "deeply disturbing and run counter to UNCSA's institutional values."
"While they have been raised in the context of a lawsuit against UNCSA, it is our intent to respond to this litigation in a manner consistent with our institutional values -- to listen to the accounts with openness, to appreciate the courage it took for our former students and alumni to share their experiences, especially given the long-term impacts of trauma many have described; and to take steps to acknowledge and address any historical sexual misconduct with candor and compassion," said Cole.
Three of the plaintiffs provided live statements during today’s video conference, while one offered a recorded testimonial.
Mary said the sexual abuse she suffered at the school impacts her to this day, "A sense of powerlessness was established in me as a result of the sexual abuse during those childhood years that made me feel like less of a person than everyone else."
Another plaintiff, Terence, says he was groomed by an adult staff member beginning at the age of 12. He said he tried to commit suicide twice since leaving the school because of the traumatic experience. Terence said he decided to come forward to make sure the culture of the school has changed to keep current and future students safe from predators.
Normally, alleged victims at UNCSA would be barred from filing this lawsuit so long after the abuse because the statute of limitations ran out. However, North Carolina lawmakers passed the Safe Child Act, which provided a two year window for victims of childhood abuse to seek justice. That window closes at the end of this year.
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