Students don't want to go to school with their rapist, they tell legislature

[TexasTowelie]

LANSING, MI - Juveniles who have sexually assaulted fellow students would not be allowed to return to school with their victims under legislation considered in the House Law and Justice Committee on Tuesday.

Rep. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, said the bills were inspired by a case in Brighton Area Schools. A student there pleaded guilty to six counts of criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to 45 days in a youth facility. When he got out, his victims were faced with the possibility of having to go back to school with him.

"This case focuses a spotlight on holes in our current law by exposing a massive lack of protection for victims of sexual assault," Theis said.

House Bills 5530-5532, sponsored by Theis and Rep. Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit, seek to amend Michigan law to stop students from being forced to attend school with their sexual assailants. Juveniles convicted of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th degree criminal sexual assault charges would not be allowed to attend the same school building as their victims.

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/02/students_dont_want_to_go_to_sc.html

[Rhiannon12866]

1. I was going to ask, wouldn't they be subject to incarceration?

I certainly don't think that solves anything, but letting them return to school with their victims is worse. I don't know what the solution is for those convicted of these crimes, but they certainly need some kind of treatment.

[TexasTowelie]

2. Apparently a 45 day suspension in youth detention

is adequate punishment for the crime.

I would hate to see someone's life ruined at such an early age, but in this case the punishment does not fit the crime. While I'm not enthusiastic about returning the offenders back to the classroom I also see why they need to continue their education. If the state is required to provide an education, then the offender should either be sent to another campus or a different school district. The offender may encounter some inconveniences by having to transfer out of their local school, but the inconvenience is minor compared to the intimidation and fear that the victims experience.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. But if detention is the only result of the crime, then that wouldn't have affected any changes

And it seems like a pretty risky proposition to place them in a whole new environment with a whole new set of unsuspecting potential victims. I don't know what the solution is, but I'm pretty sure that detention, then just returning to school, isn't it.