PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Three students in the Clatskanie School District each received a $75,000 settlement in a case involving bullying and sextortion.
The case began in September 2010 when 12-year-old Josi Harrison’s boyfriend pressured her to send him nude photos of herself.
“He told me if I didn’t send the pictures I wasn’t a good girlfriend and he would just kill himself,” she told KOIN 6 News in June 2013.
So she did, but that decision would soon haunt her. Other boys joined in.
The stress led to a heart condition, and eventually heart surgery, and forced her family to move away. They sued five minors and 10 adults for more than $2 million.
“The harassment was continuous and ongoing,” her attorney, Amber Lunsford told KOIN 6 News in 2013. She said school officials were notified of the harassment but the principal of Clatskanie Middle High School never followed up.
“He never told Josi what happened,” Lunsford said at that time. “He never told her he reprimanded the boys. He never, they weren’t expelled. They weren’t suspended. She saw no repercussions.”
She also said parents of the boys named in the suit did nothing to prevent further harassment, such as monitor their social media accounts.
In July 2013, a lawsuit filed against the district claimed the district did not do enough to protect female students from a form of harassment being called “sextortion.”
More plaintiffs joined Harrison’s suit against the district.
In announcing the settlement, the district said it “was not easy for the students to file suit against the District, but their efforts have brought about positive change.”
Harrison, now 17, said she’s glad the school took the steps to make changes, and she encourages others to stand up for themselves.
“Come forward and let it be known that it’s happening,” she said. “So that way someone can take action and help you get through it.
Harrison said she will use the money for college.
Among the changes Clatskanie School District announced:
Increasing mental health services for the schools
Formed an anti-bullying committee that includes students, parents and community members
Spoke with the staff and students about sexual harassment
Added more clubs to increase student participation in extracurriculars
Increased supervision by staff in the hallways
Increased communication with parents
Updated their safety plan
Updated drug, alcohol and tobacco policies
Updated cell phone policies
Reorganized administrative structure
Administrators attended training on student discipline, rights