'Smut List' in Area High Schools Raises Concerns of Cyberbullying

A demeaning list of nearly 100 high school girls sent out via Blackberry Messenger and Facebook is raising concerns of cyberbullying in eight area school districts after it surfaced Tuesday afternoon.

The sexually-charged list, titled "The Westchester Smut List," includes in many cases the first and last names of 99 girls from the districts. Almost all of the girls listed are younger than 18.

A Facebook page listing the names was taken down early Thursday morning. The list was also sent out via mass texts in Harrison High School Tuesday afternoon, according to a student who asked not to be named.

"It was out of nowhere," said the student. "Like, everyone got it."

The message was sent out around sixth period at HHS Tuesday. The list, and who was on it, became common knowledge at the school by the end of the day, according to the student.

The list includes students from Harrison, Port Chester, Greenwich, Scarsdale, Rye, New Rochelle and Yonkers. 

It is unknown who created the list or where it came from. The Facebook page, which was posted on Tuesday at 6:37 p.m., garnered hundreds of comments and more than 7,000 "likes" in 24 hours before it was taken down.

A Facebook page dedicated to having the site removed went from less than 10 "likes" Wednesday morning to more than 1,700 Thursday. Comments on that page include links to anti-bullying sites and requests that the "smut list" be removed. 

"This is disgusting, whoever did this should be banned," said one commenter on that page.

While the list has garnered countless views and comments online, several Scarsdale High School students seemed largely unaware of its existence despite the fact that its creator catalogued several local girls as "Westchester Smuts." 

"I haven't heard of it," said John Failla,18, a lacrosse player and SHS senior, about the list. 

Other students were equally stymied. 

"Westchester what?" asked two SHS boys, who refrained from giving their ages or names. "We've never heard anything about it. '

Scarsdale School District spokeswoman Victoria Presser said that she had heard of the list, but had not received any phone calls or inquiries from parents or the press. 

"There’s nothing I can say about it," said Presser. "It’s a police matter. It’s been reported to various police departments, and it’s not just Scarsdale." 

Kendra Porter, executive director of the Scarsdale Teen Center, was not aware of the list, but urged those concerned about the greater implication of cyber bullying to attend the Teen Center's Internet safety workshop this Saturday, where a series of seminars will educate parents and students alike on Internet dangers. 

Harrison Police Chief Anthony Marraccini said his department was made aware of the list Wednesday and is currently looking into the situation. He said police are looking to see if any laws were broken by the list's creators. If so the department would consider forcing Facebook to hand over whoever made the post.

He said he has no reason at this time to believe the list originated in Harrison.