POLL: How Does Wayland High Handle Sexual Assault Reports?

WAYLAND, MA—On Monday morning, hundreds of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School walked out of classto make a statement about a sexual assault that reportedly occurred years ago, but only came to light recently through a lawsuit that was filed. The walkout, according to students, was a demand from them and parents for action.

The students at L-S are critical of the school's handling of the sexual assault and filed out of the building into the athletic fields. The L-S walk-out stems from support for a former student at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, who last week filed a lawsuit against the school and its officials over the handling of an alleged rape that occurred at the school when she was 15.

The Massachusetts woman filed a civil action that she was sexually assaulted by two boys in November of 2013 during a football game at the school. Over the weekend, several in the Sudbury and Lincoln communities and school system banded together to create a petition protesting the matter.

Responding to the walk-out, Superintendent Bella Wong addressed the students, staff and families with an emailed notice in support of the walk-out.

In light of recent incidents at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, we reached out to Wayland High School regarding its policies surrounding assault, harassment and serious offenses of that nature. Would Wayland's students feel secure and confident in coming forward with an incident? Are provisions and staff in place to handle something similar as the sexual assault at L-S High?

"I am very confident that our students would feel comfortable coming forward to tell an adult," Wayland Superintendent Arthur Unobskey told Patch. "Our town and schools work together to create a climate of trust. The Wayland Police, school administration, guidance and teachers provide clear and multiple pathways for students to share their concerns and clear protocols to follow once concerns are shared so that students are treated as individuals and responded to promptly and effectively. In addition we offer an extremely robust set of learning experiences in the classroom ranging from guidance seminars to our health curriculum that focuses on healthy relationships. We also enjoy a close partnership with REACH Beyond Domestic Violence and other community-based organizations that help us work with families and support students."

How do you, the students, parents and community, feel Wayland would handle a complaint should someone come forward?