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SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ON SUBMITTING TO THE AG
THE INVESTIGATION
“Every student on Long Island and across New York deserves to feel safe and protected at school. The reports of sexual abuse of students at the hands of their teachers and coaches are troubling and must be investigated. My office is launching an investigation into the Babylon School District over these disturbing allegations. The safety and wellbeing of students — both past and present — is of utmost importance, and we will do everything in our power to protect their right to a safe learning environment.”
On, November 24th, 2021 NYS Attorney General Leticia James announced her office's investigation into the sexual abuse and misconduct accusations against the Babylon School District. BAAC encourages all BHS alumni and their families to consider submitting a report to the Attorney General about inappropriate staff behavior you experienced, witnessed, or heard about while a student.
WHY YOU SHOULD SUBMIT
BAAC encourages all Babylon Jr Sr High graduates to carefully reflect on their time walking those halls. Teacher-student relationships, sexual harassment, and sexual innuendos made by staff were all normalized as part of a greater culture of grooming. Coming of age in this environment has likely impaired your understanding of what is or is not problematic or "red flag" behavior (texting teachers outside of class/school).
Please consider taking the following steps when considering whether to submit your account to the Attorney General:
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Look through old yearbooks
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Talk to your High School friends about their experiences/memories
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Compare your experience to that of folks outside of BHS/your high school
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Educate yourself on grooming red flags
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Reflect on your HS experience as if it was a workplace, would these behaviors be considered misconduct or harassment?
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Follow us at @wegotyourbaac for more content and resources on understanding grooming, assault, and rape culture
Be sure to keep yourself psychologically safe when revisiting the past. If you find yourself overwhelmed by memories of assault or grooming and need support, learn more here.
FAQ
Is My Testimony Anonymous? That's up to you. This investigation can only lead to a civil suit against the Babylon School District. It is not a criminal investigation into individual parties.
Do I Need Evidence? No, you do not need physical evidence; your testimony is considered evidence.
Should I Use Names? If you are comfortable, yes. While typically we would discourage folks from disclosing others' trauma, in the case of this investigation, using names (especially perpetrator names) can potentially corroborate a victim's testimony.
What Should I Report? Anything from one-time inappropriate comments to teacher-student sex regardless of whether you experienced, witnessed or heard about it. Vague rumors about "creepy" teachers might feel like an insignificant thing to mention to the Attorney General's Office - but if hundreds of people have the same story, this is significant.
I'm not a Babylon Alum, Can I Make A Report? Yes. The AG is interested in misconduct across New York State.
