Allegations of sex abuse put DC teacher on leave. Former student talks with WTOP

A former DC student, who’s now 22 years outdated, lately took to social media to degree allegations of sex abuse towards his former coach, a teacher at Banneker High School.

The accusation has left dad and mom and college students upset, and the college despatched a letter dwelling to folks saying the teacher is now on go away.

On the identical day that letter went out, the person behind the allegations sat down to speak with WTOP about what occurred.

Rashad Williams stated he was 17 years outdated on the time of the incident. He stated it occurred in July 2020, though he does not know precisely when. That’s additionally the timeline listed in a report taken by DC police, which in any other case affords few particulars.

Williams stated the incident happened on the coach’s dwelling. He instructed WTOP he would typically go there to hang around.

“He woke me up out of my sleep,” stated Williams, who then described a sex act he stated the teacher was committing. “When I woke up, I just kind of froze up. I froze up.”

“It traumatized me, genuinely traumatized me,” Williams stated. “I cried a little bit. I was just trying to figure out how I’d get home. I just went out the bathroom and I just… I acted like nothing happened so I could get home because he was my only way home.”

Williams stated nothing ever occurred once more as a result of he lower off all contact with the teacher and coach. At the time, the world had basically shut down as a result of of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I just genuinely thought he was trying to mentor me and help me be a better student,” Williams stated.

DC police confirmed there may be an investigation relationship again to final summer season, however WTOP is just not figuring out the teacher by identify as no prices have been filed.

“Around this time, I was smoking,” Williams stated, referring to marijuana use. “He would smoke with graduates or other teenagers outside of school.”

Williams stated that on the time he was lonely and on the lookout for camaraderie.

“Him giving me that access to the weed and stuff like that, it was beneficial for me,” he stated. “I wasn’t trying to get anything else out of it other than that — the weed, the smoking and just the camaraderie, the connection.”

DC Public Schools stated in a press release to WTOP it “is required to maintain confidentiality regarding personnel matters and cannot provide comment on individual employees.”

The assertion goes on to say the college district treats allegations of worker misconduct with the “utmost seriousness.”

Last week, a letter was despatched dwelling to folks at Banneker confirming “an allegation of sexual misconduct has recently been made against a staff member at Banneker High School.”

The letter from the principal goes on to say, “While I am unable to provide further details as these allegations are being investigated by MPD, I can confirm that the staff member is out of the building on leave and will not report while this matter is under review.”

School counselors and different psychological well being help have been provided to college students whereas the matter is investigated.

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