STUDENT LOCKED OUT OF SCHOOL SUES AFTER RAPE

Jim Suhr wrote an interesting article in the May 4, 2006 Chicago Sun-TImes about a tragic situation in East St. Louis, Illinois. According to the article, a female high school student had stayed late at school in order to meet with her counselor. After the meeting was completed, the student went outside, but realized she had missed her bus. The student attempted to get back into the school to call for a ride, but was barred from re-entry, and told to walk home or walk to a nearby bus stop. The student then began to walk to the bus stop. As she approached the bus stop, she was accosted by four men who forced her into a car. The student was subsequently raped by one of the men. The student recently filed a federal lawsuit against the school district and several administrators. The lawsuit alleges that the policy to bar re-entry to the school building strands students in an area riddled with violent crime. The complaint goes on to allege the school knew that students locked out on the street were in danger, but enforced the policy anyway, in reckless disregard for their safety. I anticipate the District attempting to get the suit tossed claiming protection under the Intergovernmental Tort Immunity Act. Have to see where this case goes...