Lorain Schools starts staff training following student protest

LORAIN — Lorain Schools students and staff returned to additional support this week after a student walk-out Friday in regards to sexual assault allegations, according to the district. About 150 students walked out of class at Lorain High School on Friday, alleging the district failed to adequately investigate sexual assaults. After leaving class, students spent almost two hours in the auditorium, sharing allegations of abuse on and off school grounds and throughout their lives. Those claims included allegations against football players, including girls approached by 18-year-old men when they were 14. Others alleged they'd been abused by family members as children, or their reports were not taken seriously by school staff or law enforcement. Those claims, and the handling of prior allegations, will be reviewed by an outside firm, CEO Jeff Graham said Saturday. Additional training for staff began Wednesday. Director of Safety and Security Reuben Figueroa and Nord Center Director of Sexual Assault Services Bethany Lewis are reiterating reporting requirements and processes, and the role of personnel in incidents of suspected or alleged abuse in meetings with principals Wednesday and Thursday, according to the district. Those meetings are for the leaders of all 14 buildings, not just the high school. The Nord Center also is working on professional development for staff, according to the district, providing resources, processes and procedures on reporting and supports for adults and children when sexual assault or other trauma allegations arise. "Even though our staff is required to do mandatory training on this topic each year, we'd like to ensure absolute clarity on expectations and processes in reporting the abuse of a child," the district said in an email to staff sent to The Chronicle-Telegram. The high school's health classes will be providing information on reporting and support, and a staff team will be participating in trauma training at the end of the month. Lorain police and Children's Services are investigating allegations made during Friday's event, Graham previously confirmed. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.