The Florence NAACP has strongly criticized the school district in Florence County, South Carolina, following a suspected rape incident at West Florence High School. The organization expressed not only its concern over the alleged sexual assault but also its dismay at the school district’s delay in notifying parents and the community about the ongoing investigation.
According to a police report, a 16-year-old student reported on November 8 that she had been raped in a school bathroom. Assistant principals reviewed security footage, which showed the girl being pulled into the bathroom by the suspect, identified as 17-year-old Jackson Lee Stafford. During questioning, Stafford admitted to the alleged sexual assault. He has since been arrested and charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
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The NAACP’s statement highlighted that both the suspect and the victim were identified as exceptional or special needs students. The organization expressed deep concern for the victim, calling the incident “horrendous” and a “nightmare.” Additionally, the NAACP criticized the school district for waiting 12 days before making the incident known to parents, students, and the public.
The organization accused Florence One Schools of withholding important information from concerned citizens, emphasizing the right to timely and transparent information. The NAACP demanded that the school district’s leadership explain how the alleged incident occurred and what steps are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
Earlier this week, when contacted by WMBF News, the district stated that it was actively investigating the report involving the two students. However, in light of the NAACP’s statement, further questions have been raised about the district’s handling of the situation.
WMBF News has reached out to the school district for a response to the NAACP’s criticisms and is awaiting a reply. The safety and well-being of students are of paramount importance, and the community expects a thorough explanation from the district regarding the incident and the measures being implemented to ensure student safety.
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