WASHINGTON – Security is being stepped up at a D.C. high school after an alleged sexual assault last week.
A female student at Dunbar High School in Northwest says she was sexually assaulted at the school Nov. 22. Six boys have been arrested and charged in the incident.
In a letter sent to Dunbar parents Monday, interim D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson says the assault allegedly took place in an unused portion of the school building during school hours. She tells parents officials have increased security at Dunbar and will be conducting a review “to assess key facility and security issues.”
Henderson says officials also will examine whether additional resources like security cameras should be placed at the school.
“Your student’s safety remains my top priority,” Henderson says in the letter. “You have my commitment to ensure that we will do everything possible to ensure that all students and staff remain safe and that Dunbar is an environment where all students can learn and teachers can teach.”
Henderson says DCPS is working with Friends of Bedford — the group that operates Dunbar for the school system — “to ensure they are communicating with staff and students.” She says the incident is still being investigated by D.C. Police.
DCPS spokeswoman Safiya Simmons says Dunbar learned of the assault Nov. 23, and that the student reported the incident after she went home Monday evening.
Simmons says no further details about the victim or suspects will be released “to protect their privacy and the ongoing criminal investigation.”
WTOP’s Mark Segraves contributed to this report. Follow him on Twitter.
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