Complaint Alleges 'Deliberate Indifference' To Rape Claims At Occidental
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Six women who were allegedly sexually assaulted while students at Occidental College filed a complaint against the school Thursday.
Attorney Gloria Allred said in a statement the complaint is the result of what dozens of female students have described as the Eagle Rock-based college's "deliberate indifference to rape victims."
KNX 1070's Ron Kilgore reports several women met with reporters to explain in detail how Occidental allegedly violated their individual rights.
Complaint Alleges 'Deliberate Indifference' To Rape Claims At Occidental
Numerous allegations ranging from rape to sexual battery and retaliation were part of the Title 9 complaint - which guarantees the right to an education and protection of human and civil rights - that was filed with the Office of Civil Rights asking for an investigation.
"I was so excited to go to a school like Oxy, because it had seemed like a great school," said one student. "But I quickly learned that there was a problem of sexual assault on campus."
Other victims have claimed in several cases their alleged assailants received little or no punishment - even when they were determined to be responsible following an investigation.
In February, Occidental officials were publicly criticized after they failed to alert students and professors of a sexual assault that reportedly occurred in the 4900 block of Range View Avenue, an area that includes student housing and a fraternity.
Dean of students Barbara J. Avery sent an email out that confirmed "a report of a sexual assault involving two students," but said the case did not pose "a continuing threat."
Avery said at the time that if the student was assaulted by an unknown person, officials would have immediately issued a campus alert.
