Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
A group of former high school wrestlers has initiated multimillion-dollar legal actions due to claims of ‘sexualized hazing’ within their team.
Three ex-members of the Liberty High School wrestling team have filed a lawsuit against the Peoria Unified School District.
According to the lawsuit, they allege they ‘were subjected to sexual hazing, sexual harassment, and attempted and/or actual sexual assault by fellow team members.’
Hazing, a common initiation ritual found on college campuses and high schools across the US, can sometimes become extreme.
The three unidentified claimants seek settlements, with two requesting $8 million each, while the third seeks $4 million, as reported by ABC.
This month, the claimants filed a notice of claim, an initial step in a lawsuit, against the Arizona-based school district.
Liberty High School is recognized for its competitive wrestling program, frequently competing in state championships.
Eric Brenton, the school’s long-serving wrestling coach, has been named in the lawsuit.
Currently, Mr. Brenton is on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Peoria Police Department.
This is not the first instance of concern regarding sexual harassment in hazing at the school.
Over a year ago, both the Peoria Police Department and school district officials conducted inquiries into similar allegations regarding the wrestling program.
These past allegations included incidents in the wrestling room and during an out-of-town trip.
A police report mentions a video purportedly showing a wrestler placing his genitalia on a teammate’s face and moving up and down.
Kim Cobb, the parent of a former Liberty High School wrestler, has voiced her concerns regarding these alleged practices at school board meetings.
“Any adults or parents who think this is acceptable behavior, boys being boys, the way it always has been, or a rite of passage, is part of the problem,” she stated.
In a recent message to the families of the school’s wrestlers, district officials stated: “We continue to conduct outreach to current and former wrestlers to request interviews, and this process takes time.”
The message further stated: “We intend to review all available information and reach a fair and appropriate resolution consistent with district policy and law.”
Comment has been sought from the Peoria Unified School District regarding these developments.