Community Corner

Sexual Battery Victim's Father Responds to Social Media Messages

The father of the 15-year-old girl who accused Jared Alissandratos, 17, of sexually assaulting her at a party speaks out after hate messages fly via social networking.

After receiving attention from hacktivist group Anonymous as well as countless locals, including high schoolers, the online conversations spun out of control via social media sties regarding the rape of a Tarpon Springs High School student.

Before lashing back, the father of the 15-year-old victim let the dust settle a bit.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the girl's father, who remains unidentified to protect the minor's identity, wrote a nine paragraph letter addressing the public and defending his daughter.

Find out what's happening in Tarpon Springsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The statement was sent to Twitter user "Priest" who is a self-professed affiliate of Anonymous to be released to the public.

In the statement, the father wrote, "It wasn't until the accused admitted to her what happened that she fully realized the horrific reality of what happened that night," the Times reports.

Find out what's happening in Tarpon Springsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

He added that although he was disappointed in his daughter's decision to drink underage, the backlash of negativity from online users was uncalled for.

An affidavit obtained by Patch stated that the 15-year-old girl had been drinking and was taken to a room to lie down, where she was assaulted. 

The following Monday, the victim reported the attack to a campus police officer at Tarpon Springs High School.

Read the full story on the father's response on the Times website here.

Sign up for the free Patch newsletter and receive the top headlines seven days a week in your inbox. Click here to get started.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Tarpon Springs