What to Know
- Student told police she was raped by another student in March.
- Police presented the case to prosecutors, but no charges were filed.
- The school is reviewing an expert's recommendations for the school's policies, procedures and discipline.
A prestigious Washington, D.C., Quaker school is revising its polices and procedures following allegations of a sexual assault in March.
A student told police she was raped on the northwest D.C. campus of Sidwell Friends School by another student. The students had a previous sexual relationship, according to a police report.
The Metropolitan Police Department presented the case to prosecutors, but no charges were filed, WTOP reported. The Office of the Attorney General declined to acknowledge or comment to WTOP about the case due to privacy laws.
A June 9 email to Sidwell Friends parents obtained by WTOP says an expert recently completed a review of the school's policies, procedures and discipline regarding consent, harassment, bullying and the use of social media.
"Preliminary recommendations call for the School to develop more explicit policies addressing student sexual misconduct and technology use," the email from Head of School Bryan Garman said.
The Board of Trustees and school administration is reviewing the recommendations and will revise the student and parent handbook, the email said.
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Already in response to the rape accusation, the school installed more security cameras and improved lighting and conducted a security survey of the campus. The school already is considering programming to help students prevent sexual assault, according to the email.
The email did not say whether any student was disciplined, citing privacy of students.
President Barack Obama's oldest daughter, Malia, graduated from Sidwell Friends a week ago. Sasah Obama attends Sidwell, too.
