A young Chicago woman bravely shared her story of surviving sexual assault during her time as a student in the city’s public school district.
A young Chicago woman bravely shared her story of surviving sexual assault during her time as a student in the city’s public school district. The lawsuit alleges that the district hired and retained an employee even after accusations surfaced.
The survivor, now 25, has chosen to remain anonymous. She was a high school sophomore when she alleges Brian Crowder sexually abused her. Crowder was the former dean of students at Little Village Lawndale High School and now faces a civil lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims that Crowder began messaging the 15-year-old on Snapchat: sending photos and videos including one in which he stated “I want you.” He allegedly brought the girl to his home, supplied her with alcohol, and raped her multiple times.
"I couldn't tell anybody, you know? He was like: 'You can't tell nobody; like, it has to stay between us,'" said the survivor. "So I just like bottled everything inside of me."
Attorneys for the plaintiff anticipate “more than a dozen” additional survivors to come forward with evidence of abuse under the Chicago Public Schools system.
According to the lawsuit, Crowder impregnated the young girl twice and pressured her to get an abortion each time. He accompanied her to the clinic, where he lied and stated that he was her father.
"He told her he loved her. He told her he wanted to have a family with her when she was an adult,” said her attorney, Martin Gould.
The survivor states that she confided in another teacher at the school during this time. However, despite this educator’s position as a mandated reporter, no action was taken.
Since the unidentified woman has come forward, her attorneys have encountered instances of grooming and sexual abuse at another CPS institution: Little Village Lawndale High School. Allegedly, these investigations include the misconduct of multiple staff members.
Lawyers believe that this young woman’s case demonstrates the need for more educators to comply in reporting abuse. The survivor is grateful that her story has allowed others in similar situations to speak up.
"I don't want them to ever feel how I felt," she said. "You can go to someone. You can speak to someone – and you should."
Authors: Alexis Kabat and Andy Goldwasser
