Sexual Assault Alleged In Lawsuit Against BUSD: Report

BERKELEY, CA — A former Berkeley High School student has filed a lawsuit against a former teacher and the Berkeley Unified School District alleging a pattern of sexual abuse and harassment and the failure of school administrators to protect her despite multiple complaints, Berkeleyside reports.

Matthew Bissell, a former BHS science and physical education teacher who also coached football at the school, is at the center of the lawsuit according to the report.

The lawsuit was filed by Rachel Phillips, who attended BHS from 1999 to 2003, the report said.

Phillips’ lawsuit alleges Bissell engaged in a pattern of inappropriate contact, including grabbing her crotch and buttocks and reaching into her pants to grab her thong underwear, the report said.

Her claims against Bissell have been substantiated by the school district, ABC7 reports.

Bissell is seen in a 2003 yearbook photo with his arms around Phillips from behind her.

Repeated complaints to an administrator, a teacher and her volleyball team coaches never led to her being protected from Bissell, the report said.

“At a certain point, you stop reporting,” Phillips told Berkeleyside.

Phillips is being represented by an Oakland law firm that is readying an additional lawsuit alleging Bissell sexually harassed other former students according to the report.

Read more in Berkeleyside