Brantford students protest the way their school handled an alleged sexual assault

Описание: A group of students staged a walkout at Grand Erie Learning Alternatives secondary school in Brantford Wednesday morning, saying they are upset with the way their school is handling an alleged sexual assault.

Protest organizer Kylie Shea says a female student was sexually assaulted off school property by a male student a few years back, and when that teenage girl recently transferred to Grand Erie Alternatives she discovered her alleged assaulter was also attending.

Shea says after the police and the school were made aware, the female student was transferred back to her old school earlier this week. "She got kicked out for his safety because he felt unsafe around her," Shea said.

Shea wants the board's policies for handling alleged sexual assaults reviewed.

Brantford police were unable to tell CHCH News if there are any current investigations into alleged sexual assaults connected to the school, but Shea says the male student was charged on Monday.

A spokesperson for the school board says they can't speak to any of the specifics of the allegations but sent CHCH News this statement:

"We are aware of the background to this situation. We are committed to creating an environment where students feel safe and heard."

The Grand Erie District School Board's statement did not answer many of CHCH News' questions about the alleged transfer, nor did it deny that it happened, or offer an explanation.

The board says social workers and child and youth workers were sent to the school to support students.