Fairfax County Public Schools cleared of wrongdoing in middle school rape case
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The woman who sued Fairfax County Public Schools for millions of dollars after accusing a classmate of raping her in middle school lost the case.
On Wednesday afternoon, a federal jury ultimately rejected all of her allegations.
The victim says when the verdict came down, she was confused, hurt, and even felt numb.
Fairfax County Public Schools cleared of wrongdoing in middle school rape case
Fairfax County Public Schools cleared of wrongdoing in middle school rape case
She exclusively told FOX 5's Sierra Fox, "I’m the one struggling with life-altering injuries that I’ll suffer with for the rest of my life, and they get to walk away from this case with no consequences, but I have to live with it forever."
This 24-year-old victim, identified as B.R. in court documents, said more than a decade ago she was repeatedly bullied, sexually harassed, and even gang-raped as a seventh grader at Rachel Carson Middle School in Herndon, Virginia..
Woman accuses schoolmate of raping her at age 12 in Fairfax County, school system denies it
A 24-year-old woman told jurors Tuesday that she was repeatedly raped and sexually harassed a decade ago as a seventh-grade student in Virginia, and that school officials reacted to her pleas for help with indifference.
"It makes me feel so terrible because I know some other survivors have told me when you go through trials, it feels like the memories resurface; you have flashbacks, you feel similar feelings that you did when you experienced the trauma," said B.R. "But I felt like I literally relived this with the same administrators, the same teachers, just acting with no remorse, no care, no regard."
She claims Fairfax County Public Schools ignored her cries for help and even retaliated against her. However, after a lengthy trial lasting more than five weeks at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, a jury decided the school board was not guilty of any wrongdoing.
Fairfax County Public Schools cleared of wrongdoing in middle school rape case
"I feel extremely sad and disappointed," B.R. said. "I feel like this was yet another failure and miscarriage of justice."
Fairfax County Public Schools sent FOX 5 this statement, "The jury’s verdict today affirms that the FCPS board and nine current and former educators acted in a caring, respectful, and professional manner to support the plaintiff when she was a student 12 years ago. We are grateful to the jury for their careful evaluation of the evidence and their service on this important case."
Lawsuit claims Fairfax County Public Schools downplayed former student's rape
Fairfax County Public Schools is accused of turning a blind eye to a horrific sexual abuse case.
"I have no regrets. I know the school board wants me to feel ashamed for bringing this, but I’m extremely proud of myself for fighting this for 12 years. I’ve been in this lawsuit for five," B.R. said.
The victim said she doesn’t want any other child to have to go through the traumatic experiences she did.
"I think it’s important to speak up. I know that you may see things like me losing my case, which may look like a deterrent from coming forward because it feels like the system fails victims like me, but we’re stronger together than speaking up alone," B.R. said.
She plans to explore other legal options and believes this case is far from over.