Babylon Alumni React To Teacher's Arrest: 'Your Pain Is Valid'

BABYLON, NY — Four Babylon High School alumni — who have made accusations of sexual and emotional abuse they said they endured while they were students — are speaking out about a teacher and coach charged with rape on Thursday.

Brittany Rohl, Barbara Maier, Darcy Bennet and Jaycee Angello, as part of the group BHS Alumni & Allies For Change, released video on Youtube on Thursday, reacting to the arrest of teacher Timothy Harrison.

Harrison, 46, of Oak Beach, was arrested on Thursday and charged with two counts of third-degree rape and one count of third-degree criminal sexual act, police said. According to the Babylon School District website, he was a special education teacher and girls' sports coach.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison announced in a press conference on Thursday that the arrest comes after an investigation determined that Harrison had a sexual relationship with a high school student in 2013.

According to organizers, BHS Alumni & Allies For Change advocates for justice for those abused by Babylon School District employees. The group was founded after numerous alumni accused teacher of sexual abuse this fall.

The four alumni watched the press conference together, and stated that they felt proud for the anonymous accuser who stepped forward. The group also issued an emotional press release.

"We're here for you. We know exactly what you're going through, and how difficult this is," said Barbara Maier. "You're a part of our family. So don't ever hesitate to reach out to us, either. We have your back."

Darcy Bennet added: " You have so much courage, and we just want to say how much we really respect you. "

However, the alumni felt mixed emotions, claiming that the district knew of Harrison's actions for years.

"This was known that he was doing stuff like this. And he was allowed to continue coaching," said Maier. "It was a slap in the face."

At a November Board of Education meeting, Rohl, Maier, Bennet, Jaycee Angello, along with a long line of other alumni and current students, spoke about their accusations of sexual abuse as students.

Speakers accused several teachers of abuse— including Harrison.

"Timothy Harrison," Rohl said at the meeting, reading a list of names as those in attendance urged her on. "Today is the first day of the winter sports season. Is he coaching?"

Participants refused to leave the meeting until action was taken — and the board then reassigned six teachers to work at home. Harrison was one of them.

"I want to say that I'm relieved, but I'm really sad," said Rohl. "It just reminds me that we don't know how many victims there are. And for every one that comes forward, we have to imagine that there are more that don't feel comfortable or who may never come forward."

The young woman who spoke on the video also encouraged anyone who felt uncomfortable by a teacher, whether in a sexual or emotional way, to come forward to Attorney General Letitia James, who launched an investigation into the district in November.

"Your pain is valid. Your experience is valid, regardless of how severe it was," said Maier.

Rohl added: "There's so many things that are technically legal, that are incredibly inappropriate and have no place in our school."

In spite of the darkness, the alumni said, they could all agree that the support of other survivors make them feel validated and motivates them to keep fighting for justice.

"As sh---- as it is that there are so many victims and so many perpetrators of Babylon, I have found a sense of community with other survivors that people don't understand," said Rohl. "I have never felt more proud of Babylon."