Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 15, 2005 Cops close bookson Phoenix High’s sexual ‘horseplay’ Police say no charges will be filed, but school officials are teaching students about the consequences of bullying By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file charges in a case in which a Phoenix High School student claimed a fellow student sexually abused him Oct. 21 inside the school’s weight room. The victim complained to Ben Bergreen, superintendent of the Phoenix-Talent School District, that the student pushed his thumb into the victim’s anus through clothing. Bergreen reported the incident Nov. 11 to the Phoenix Police Department, spurring an investigation that involved interviews with about 40 students, said Chief Bob Kershaw. "Initially when it came to us it sounded like something sexual was involved," Kershaw said. "What it amounted to was inappropriate horseplay in the weight room, but it was not just one incident." The information was forwarded to David Hoppe, deputy district attorney, for consideration. Advertisement "We declined to file charges because we couldn’t determine who had, in fact, done the harassment," Hoppe said. "Because it happened from behind, the victim couldn’t determine who did it." Harassment is a misdemeanor, he said. There were at least six incidents of the practice at the school in October and November committed by about 10 students, including members of the football team, based on student interviews, Kershaw said. "The guys on the football team didn’t see anything inappropriate about it," Kershaw said. "They weren’t thinking about what would happen if someone was offended by it." Kershaw said it is up to the school administration to determine whether the students involved will be disciplined. Principal Jani Hale said confidentiality laws prohibit her from discussing any possible disciplinary actions taken against students. However, the school has started an effort to try to make students more aware of bullying, the consequences of it and appropriate behavior, Hale said. The drive to curb bullying has included theatrical presentations by the drama program and Teen Theater, which is a Planned Parenthood program designed to teach children to respect each other, she said. The school’s advisory classes also have addressed the issue, she said. Hale said she also assigned a teacher’s aide to the locker room to monitor student behavior. "After this incident, it brought a greater need to address how people treat each other," Hale said. "The culture of bullying is in the teen media, and bullying is a huge issue in the nation." Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4496 or e-mail Cops close books on Phoenix High�s sexual �horseplay� ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Advertisement s