Report: School officials delayed alerting police about rapes

DAMASCUS, Md. – Officials at a Maryland high school waited hours to tell police that a football player had been credibly accused of raping a teammate with a broomstick, despite an agreement with police requiring the immediate reporting of sexual assaults.

The Washington Post reports that Damascus High School officials instead launched their own investigation, questioned students and uncovered a total of four suspects and four victims. The report says the victims weren’t given medical care then, and their parents weren’t immediately notified. Police later sent the victims to be medically evaluated.

Four teens are being prosecuted as juveniles on charges of rape and attempted rape. According to statements to police and text messages, as many as 10 other junior-varsity players watched and laughed at the “brooming” attacks last October.

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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com