In Wake of Alleged Rape, Mayor and School Superintendent Outline Support Services

The following is a statement from Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi about the alleged rape involving Somerville High School students that took place at a school-sponsored sports camp in late August.

You can find out more information about the story here:

• Letter: You Are Not Alone When Dealing with Traumatic Stress
• 9th Grade Victim Raped with Broomstick, Says Prosecutor
• High School Rape Suspects To Be Arraigned Tuesday
• Somerville High School Soccer Players Charged with Rape

Here's the statement, issued Wednesday afternoon:

As our community grapples with the charges facing three Somerville High School students that include aggravated rape and assault with intent to rape, we remain focused on the most important action we can take at this time, which is providing the support and services needed for the victims, students and community to heal.

We are working with the Somerville Trauma Response Network, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, Somerville Police Department Victim Witness Advocate and Riverside Trauma Center to coordinate appropriate support services and provide information to those immediately impacted, as well as to the broader community. We are also providing support to Somerville High School teachers to ensure that staff are able to connect students to any and all support they need. Counselors will be available before, during and after school to support students and staff, and direct them to whatever services they need. All students will be presented with resource information as well today in their Advisory Groups. Small discussion groups and educational sessions for the community are being planned as advised by our expert partners and counseling staff. 

These plans follow the informational and support meetings conducted last week for all team members and the parents and guardians of team members who attended the camp, ensuring they all have access to appropriate services. Services are available to community members and school families who may need them, and we are planning now for educational and support forums for the school community and broader community members to be held in the near future.

We are moving this week to establish a Student Travel Safety Committee with both community and student representation alongside outside experts and school administrators and staff.  This committee will review existing policies and procedures, evaluate current travel safety protocol and practices, and make recommendations for changes in procedures.

Because this an ongoing investigation into an alleged crime, specific information about the allegations and circumstances surrounding the ensuing charges must be provided by the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office, which remains in charge of this investigation.  We will respect the legal process that will determine the facts and again thank Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless and his office, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, and the Massachusetts State Police for their speed and diligence in investigating these allegations.

At this time, the investigation by the Berkshire County D.A.’s Office provides no indication that anyone other than the three individuals arrested have been implicated, and found that this was a single, isolated incident. No other victims have been identified. However, anyone with information related to this incident or any other act of aggression that has not been reported, should contact the Somerville Police, the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, or the school (numbers below). The alleged incident occurred during the day at the annual sports camp held at Camp Lenox in Otis, Massachusetts, rented by the City for the annual summer sports camp for the boys’ soccer, football and girls’ soccer programs. At this year’s camp, 165 student-athletes attended, accompanied by 20 adults.

We remain moved by the courage shown by the victims in speaking up, in awe of the compassion shown by our students and whole community in response to these sad and disturbing allegations, and will continue to focus our energy and efforts on providing support to all those impacted by this incident and in helping our community begin the healing process.

Support services and important numbers:

• Somerville Police Department: 617-625-1600

• Berkshire District Attorney’s Office: 413-443-5951

• Somerville Public Schools Student Services: 617-629-6233

• Somerville Public Schools' Bullying Hotline: 617-629-5222 or by emailing bullying@k12.somerville.ma.us (This line may be used to report any aggression or personal safety concerns and it is completely anonymous.)

• Somerville Trauma Response Network: 857-221-0942

• Boston Area Rape Crisis Center 24-hour hotline: 800-841-8371

• Clinical Youth Specialist: 617-625-6600 ext. 4325

• Somerville Teen Connection at SHS: 617-575-5690

• Guidance Center Referral Line: 617-354-2275

• Cambridge Health Alliance Referral – Adults: 617-591-6033

• Cambridge Health Alliance Referral – Kids: 617-665-3458

• Mass. Substance Use Helpline: 800-327-5050