A family from Somerset County has initiated legal action against the Branchburg Township School District, claiming that officials failed to protect their son from ongoing sexual assaults and harassment by a fellow student. The lawsuit, filed in superior court on December 11, outlines the distressing experiences of the seventh-grade student during the 2023-2024 academic year.
The complaint alleges that school officials ignored repeated warnings about the bullying and harassment, thereby violating New Jersey’s anti-bullying laws. It contends that despite the serious nature of the allegations, the school district allowed the alleged assailant to remain in classes with the victim, exacerbating the situation.
Details of the Allegations
Named in the lawsuit are former Superintendent Karen Chase, middle school Principal Beth Stanton, and Anti-Bullying Coordinator Jennifer Anderson. Current Interim Superintendent of Schools, Christine Burton, has not commented on the ongoing litigation.
According to the family, the troubling behavior began in November 2023 after their son joined the wrestling team. The lawsuit claims that another male student on the team sexually assaulted the victim in the boy’s locker room during after-school practices. The complaint further alleges a lack of adequate supervision by wrestling coaches and school staff, which allowed these incidents to take place on school grounds.
The family’s claims extend beyond the locker room, stating that the student faced repeated sexual assaults in school bathrooms throughout the wrestling season. Despite notifying school staff and administrators about these incidents, the family asserts no effective action was taken.
Failure to Address Complaints
On May 5, 2024, the student’s parents reported a physical assault to the vice principal. Shortly thereafter, they allege that their son communicated incidents of ongoing sexual assaults occurring on school property. The lawsuit claims that the school district did not initiate a Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) investigation, nor did officials inform the student or his parents about their right to file a HIB complaint.
The family is seeking damages from the school district, including coverage for legal fees, interest, and court costs. This lawsuit highlights the critical importance of school safety and the responsibilities educational institutions have to protect their students from harm.
