Local Students Suspended After Locker Room Incident Sparks Controversy
Two Virginia high school students have been suspended for 10 days after being accused of sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination for questioning a female student who identifies as male about being in the boys’ locker room. The Loudoun County Public Schools conducted a Title IX investigation, leading to the suspension of the students, which has sparked backlash from the families and Virginia’s attorney general, who alleged the process was biased.
The school district has not publicly announced the suspension details, but the punishment includes a no-contact order with the complainant, including not being able to be in any of the same classes. The boys are also required to meet with school administrators to determine a corrective action plan, according to their attorney, Josh Heltzer. Heltzer said that LCPS found the boys to be responsible for sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination in a case that has sparked a furious response from the parents of the boys as well as Virginia’s attorney general, who has argued that the school agency’s process was biased and retaliatory.
Seth Wolfe, one of the boys’ parents, told 7News that he was angered by the decision and said it was concerning for the development of their children. Another parent, Renae Smith, was also furious and said she had already pulled her child out of the school and that the family had moved out of state.