Oklahoma City, OK
A mother alleges that her 10-year old daughter was raped in a restroom at Edgemere Elementary School. Her daughter came running out of the school in tears and told her mother, "Mama, they touched me down there." The mother took her daughter to the hospital, where doctors said her injuries were "consistent with a sexual assault". Allegedly, the boy's sister held the victim down while he pulled down her underwear, pulled his pants down, and raped her.
Oklahoma City School District officials immediately called the police, and are cooperating with the investigation.
Analysis
In such incidents, the attention is first turned toward the safety of the child, and then the question, "How could this happen?" is asked. The first thing I would look at is the procedures by which students leave the classroom. Do they sign in and out of the classroom? How do teachers maintain accountability of students at all times?
It is easy to think that elementary schools are safe because the kids are so young and the teachers are so attentive. This is denial thinking. In Staying Alive, we outline how to combat denial. Denial is a very powerful thought process, but it is one that is chosen. Elementary schools are sometimes places of violence. While not at the same rate as middle schools and high schools, violence does happen there.
Overcome denial and prepare properly.
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