Port Huron High students organized a walkout, asking for sexual assault policy reform

Port Huron High School students hope that last week's walkout will inspire the district to help improve how victims of sexual assault are treated.

Port Huron High School students walked out of classes last week in support of sexual assault policy reform. The students said that while they are not currently planning another walkout, they said they might plan one next school year if no changes have been made.

The walkout was organized by three sophomores. The students, Alexis Sanchez, Kaylee Endicott and Fletcher Esselink, said they wanted their fellow students who are survivors of sexual assault to feel listened to by school officials. Additionally, Esselink said the issue goes beyond Port Huron Area Schools, and that the walkout was aimed at the general reform of policies surrounding sexual assault.

Endicott said the way the school system currently handles sexual assault is a "he said, she said" kind of system.

"I personally do not like that sort of process," she said. "If someone reports something, I feel that there should be follow-up."

She said that while it's understandable the district may not automatically believe a report in the case someone might have lied about the assault, there should be follow-up if evidence was provided.

Currently, the students are trying to get approval to start a sexual assault awareness club. Endicott said one of the things the club wants to do is raise awareness of what is not OK.

"A lot of kids think that some stuff is just a joke, but if that person tells you to stop, that's their limit," she said.

In a statement sent to the Times Herald, school district officials said the district has a policy students are aware of. The Times Herald had been provided a copy of the district's anti-bullying policy, which defined bullying as any written, verbal, or physical act, or electronic communication that is intended to harm one or more students directly or indirectly.

The policy does not include the words sexual assault or sexual harassment. When asked about the policy not including the language, district officials said they had no further comment.

The policy stated that all reports will be promptly investigated by the school's principal, or a designated official. A description of each reported incident, along with all investigation materials and conclusions reached, will be documented and retained. If the investigation determines bullying has taken place, the district will inform the victim's and perpetrator's parents or guardian.

"Although we do not formally support student walkouts - we strongly believe in 'student voice' and the school administration worked closely with the students on doing this safely," Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas said in the statement.

The students said Port Huron High School was not initially willing to allow them to organize the walkout. Esselink said there had been a miscommunication.

"The school had misinterpreted that students' anger was directed towards the school, so I explained to them that it was more for the general issue and that it's beyond the school," he said.

Esselink said he looked into anything that may be misconstrued about sexual assault and policies surround it. Through this research, Esselink, Sanchez and Endicott wrote an eight-page document of student grievances that they felt should be addressed.

One thing the document suggested was to make sure the victim of a reported assault is informed on the outcome of any investigation. The students said this would keep the victim out of dark and allow them to feel heard by the authority figures.

Another suggestion was to make sure the person who reports a sexual assault is given some form of follow-up to make sure they are doing okay, and that any harassment has ceased.

Sanchez said the walkout went well and was attended by a sizable group of students. Since the school knew about it, none of the students were given disciplinary action for participating. Also, all the students were back in school for their final classes.

Sanchez said she hopes the walkout lets survivors of sexual assault know there are people who will support them.

"There are people out there who will help others and make sure everyone has a safe community," Sanchez said.

Sanchez said while organizing the walkout, people told her and the other organizers their stories of being sexually assaulted. She said these stories should not be ignored.

Esselink said he hopes the walkout inspires his fellow students to speak out against issues that they will face in the future. Additionally, he said he hopes the district will do its part in improving the overall system in a way that will support survivors of sexual assault, while also giving a fair examination of any reported situation.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Port Huron students walkout for sexual assault policy reform