Reported hazing incident involving Damascus High School JV Football team

[Anonymous]

I can understand that MCPS is responsible for the staff they hire. But, I am not buying that MCPS is responsible for the behaviour of the student. If the student breaks the rule, first of all someone has to report them. This was reported and investigated. Now, MCPS can go ahead and throw these students out of the school.

At this point MOCO needs to step in and the law should punish the students as harshly as they want to.

[Anonymous]

I do not see alcohol use by teenagers as a problem, that is part of growing up. What I do not agree with is drugs

[Anonymous]

So sad for the kids that were so violated, but I am equally sad for the kids who did the violation. They were probably raped in a similar manner and they did not think that what they were doing was bad. To tape and put it online means that they will also be caught for child pornography. I am quite sure that some kids were fearful that they would be killed if they refused to participate.

This is sickening on so many levels. Feel very sad for DHS also. No one wants this kind of shame.

[Anonymous]

Just got an update email from Jack Smith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Father of Damascus High School student. My son heard that two JV football players were hazed with a broom. I called the school and they told me they're working on a letter home.

Has anyone else heard about this?

You mean RAPED with a broom, right?

The Damascus Principal called it hazing instead of rape.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Three-Damascus-High-School-Students-Charged-With-Rape-499433971.html

He should be demoted to janitor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Father of Damascus High School student. My son heard that two JV football players were hazed with a broom. I called the school and they told me they're working on a letter home.

Has anyone else heard about this?

You mean RAPED with a broom, right?

The Damascus Principal called it hazing instead of rape.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Three-Damascus-High-School-Students-Charged-With-Rape-499433971.html

He should be demoted to janitor.

I think we have now achieved equality, as they are now minimizing when men are raped too! (sarcasm)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So sad for the kids that were so violated, but I am equally sad for the kids who did the violation. They were probably raped in a similar manner and they did not think that what they were doing was bad. To tape and put it online means that they will also be caught for child pornography. I am quite sure that some kids were fearful that they would be killed if they refused to participate.

This is sickening on so many levels. Feel very sad for DHS also. No one wants this kind of shame.

I hate to disagree with anyone who seems as kind hearted as you, but no, just no. I don’t buy that these guys, who violated a fellow teammate with a broom and posted it online, did not have understanding of how horrible their actions were. To suggest that, suggests that they lack humanity and common sense.

[Anonymous]

Wow!! This is repulsive. I went to a private military boarding high school for six years. I was hazed and did some hazing. But nothing was ever done to haze anybody in a sexual way. And I never even heard rumors of that type of hazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So sad for the kids that were so violated, but I am equally sad for the kids who did the violation. They were probably raped in a similar manner and they did not think that what they were doing was bad. To tape and put it online means that they will also be caught for child pornography. I am quite sure that some kids were fearful that they would be killed if they refused to participate.

This is sickening on so many levels. Feel very sad for DHS also. No one wants this kind of shame.

I hate to disagree with anyone who seems as kind hearted as you, but no, just no. I don’t buy that these guys, who violated a fellow teammate with a broom and posted it online, did not have understanding of how horrible their actions were. To suggest that, suggests that they lack humanity and common sense.

It seems like the perpetrators were also under 16 from the reporting. So we are talking about young teens. I don’t think there’s any reason to think they were abused or raped themselves, but in terms of what’s “that bad” - teens really don’t have the same brains as adults. Lots of traits that are sociopathic in adults are actually pretty normal in adolescents. Which is why they need supervision and are so vulnerable to toxic cultures. They need to be held accountable for their actions, but they also need adults and older peers to set an example of positive ways to be in the world. I am interested to see what the investigation can reveal about the coaching staff and the varsity team as well. I’m somewhat disappointed the varsity team didn’t also forfeit their last game because when push comes to shove it is one team and they should be responsible for setting the example of how the JV boys see the team and team culture.

[Anonymous]

Why aren't they being charged adults. Rape is a very serious crime. The victims will suffer for the rest of their lives. Stop protecting the criminals, Charge them as adults and give their name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Charged as juveniles ... must be white

I am confused. What does that mean?

Means nothing. The assailants were not even actually white. Not that it matters, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just got an update email from Jack Smith.

It was so insightful. Right? And now I believe that MCPS is truly worried about the safety of my kid. As the email said that there will be immediate changes to the Damascus athletic department.

Oh wait, that was me dreaming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Charged as juveniles ... must be white

I am confused. What does that mean?

Means nothing. The assailants were not even actually white. Not that it matters, IMO.

Is race immaterial? Should not race be immaterial for everything? Are they Asians by any chance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Charged as juveniles ... must be white

I am confused. What does that mean?

Means nothing. The assailants were not even actually white. Not that it matters, IMO.

Is race immaterial? Should not race be immaterial for everything? Are they Asians by any chance?

Yes it’s immaterial. This really has nothing to do with race. Sexual abuse happens in EVERY color. Every race. And there needs to be stronger punishments implemented for whatever race the assailants are.

[Anonymous]

Do we think that the athletic department was responsible in any way? What should they have done differently if they did not know that this was happening. There is more to this story if this was being taped and posted online.

These poor children. This is so shocking and sad. I am so heartbroken that this kind of thing can happen.