Gloucester student alleges school staff member sexually assaulted her
The staff member has been placed on administrative leave, Gloucester Superintendent Richard Safier said.
A Gloucester school staff member has been placed on administrative leave after a female student alleged that she had been sexually assaulted by them.The alleged sexual assault “occurred in the past,” but the student reported it to another staff member Monday morning, Superintendent Richard Safier wrote in a letter to the community, posted online by the Gloucester Daily Times.The police department was notified, and, as of about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, no charges had been filed against the unidentified staff member, according to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.Safier didn’t say which school the alleged assault occurred at, but did say in the letter that he wanted “to express my gratitude to the high school staff.”“Upon learning of the allegation, we immediately began an investigation and took steps to ensure both the physical and emotional well-being of the student while the investigation is pending,” Safier wrote, noting that the school district would continue to work with the police on the investigation.The student’s parents were told, and the school notified the state Department of Children and Families.Safier did not return requests for comment Wednesday.“We understand how difficult it is for a student to come forward and express such concerns,” he wrote, “and whenever or wherever such a circumstance might occur, we encourage students to do so.”
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