The parents of a girl who was sexually assaulted by a former graduate of St. Paul’s School are suing the Concord prep school. The family filed the lawsuit Wednesday in federal court.
Scroll to the bottom of this story to read the lawsuit filed at the U.S. District Court in New Hampshire today.
The family is suing under the names John and Jane Doe and claims the school knew and did nothing about a student-led tradition where seniors tried to have sex with as many underclassmen as they could before graduating.
Last summer Owen Labrie was sentenced to one year in jail for having sex with a minor on campus and using a computer to lure her. In the lawsuit, the girls parents ask for an excess of $75,ooo for five different counts involving negligence and emotional distress. They also ask for a jury trial.
Included in the lawsuit are examples of the school ignoring a so-called "Senior Salute" tradition created by students known as "Slaymakers."
It also points to a student newspaper article written by Labrie that references the tradition, and claims the rector's wife was even pursued.
But in a written response issued Wednesday evening, St. Paul's School strongly denies these claims. “We believe this lawsuit is without merit, and we plan to vigorously defend ourselves," said school spokeswoman Sarah Aldag. "We categorically reject any allegations that St. Paul’s has an unhealthy culture. The safety of our students has been and will continue to be the single most important priority for our School.”
Labrie is appealing his conviction to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
Read the lawsuit filed against St. Paul's by New Hampshire attorney Chuck Douglas. Contains sensitive material.
