Would you call the cops?

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by smurfalicious

"sexual assault"???... We're all really getting to be a bunch of whiny drama queens and it sickens me.

Originally Posted by Radar

smurfalicious says to get over it? If someone whips out their junk and rubs it on you, it's the textbook definition of sexual assault regardless of the age of the people doing it.

Totally with Radar on this. Sexual (masturbation even if you don't count exposure) assualt (act perpetrated on someone unwilling). End of.

Originally Posted by smurfalicious

Before anyone goes slinging "sexual assault" around, what about considering the age of the child(ren) involved? Because I know some 5-6 year olds that have been suspended/expelled under the "zero tolerance" policy for "sexual assault" - their actions being as innocent as kissing another child on a playground or looking up a skirt.

I agree with the above, too. But the way in which the incident was described goes beyond childhood curiousity. If it turns out the boy in question was 6 I will readdress my response, but the school still needs to be involved in a case of simulated masturbation even at this age

Originally Posted by smurfalicious

If the assaulter is handicapped, well, it might be best to let it go. Boys are boys, they're going to pull sh!t like this, especially when there's a group of them egging him on.

No. If this is assault it still needs to be addressed, but I agree with glatt that it needs to be addressed by those competent to do so. If the school has been informed and the boy/ teen suffers from any kind of disability then it will already have been flagged to his family/ counsellors. If someone already has recognised behavioural problems - whether they have a social or medical cause - they need to be addressed before that person escalates to more dangerous behaviour. If this boy has Aspergers then it will be taken into account by the authorities already dealing with the case - a mental condition is not a carte blanche to assault other members of society.

Ali, I don't think you should contact the police. You are too removed from the situation and without first hand knowledge might be reporting a skewed perception of events. Just tell your co-worker that you think she should follow this up with the school and as a family member she should raise her concerns that this is serious incident. I doubt the school will be able to go into details of the other pupil's situation, but they may be able to set her mind at rest re the suspension being the end of the matter.

[Yznhymr]

After re-reading the original post, I can't but help but be reminded of Richard Hatch when he rubbed his nakie parts up against Sue Hawk on Survivor All-Stars. I mean my gosh, if a grown woman freaked out like she did, how much more traumatic for a child?

I also know from personal experience. When I was 14, I was in a department store minding my own business when this creepy guy twice my size walks between me and the clothes I was looking at and grabs my crotchity area. I was immediately embarrassed and angry and could only think of getting away. When he started following me around, I ran (and I mean ran) out to the car to get my step dad’s gun so that I could protect myself. My mom stopped me and took me home. Then I had to re-live the very embarrassing scene by explaining in detail in to my step dad (who was a Sheriff Deputy) and to my mom what he did. They never did anything about it and I held it against them for a very long time.

That poor little girl is probably going through similar feelings and I feel extremely bad for her. Shame on her family for not doing everything they can to make sure she feels safe and comfortable going back to the school or going past that bus stop.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Yznhymr

Shame on her family for not doing everything they can to make sure she feels safe and comfortable going back to the school or going past that bus stop.

This is unfair. There's nothing in the original post that states the girl feels unsafe now with the action her family has already taken.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I'm with LJ. The school knows about it and has acted, which means everyone involved knows. There are plenty of people, directly involved, and fully cognizant of what happened, to find a solution. Butt out.

Was Grandma asking for advice or just sharing the gossip? If it's the former doesn't she trust her children to do whats right?

[Yznhymr]

Originally Posted by glatt

This is unfair. There's nothing in the original post that states the girl feels unsafe now with the action her family has already taken.

Hmmm...you may be right. My parents were certainly oblivious. Have you ever experienced a painful memory when you pass a certain spot, hear a certain phrase, or hear the name of a person that has harmed you in some way? If so, then you can surmise she will, too. Hopfully she will have the memory limited to the boy and not about her family's reaction, like I do. Just sharing a POV. Thanks glatt for pointing that out.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Or she might laugh about it with her girlfriends, at a pajama party, down the road. We can't project what we think she should, could, would, feel.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Or she might laugh about it with her girlfriends, at a pajama party, down the road. We can't project what we think she should, could, would, feel.

Or maybe she will post it online as a random anecdote (the link is a Cellar post - my brief encounter with a verbal pervert).

I was very distressed at the time, and yes I felt dirty and violated. I put it in perspective given time, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest now. But it happened at an age I still had to leave the room when feminine hygiene products were advertised. Don't underestimate young'uns sensitivity, but don't overestimate its affect on their life as a whole.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Yeah, but it's strictly speculation. Concrete action based of speculation is unwise.