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NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — The Norman Public Schools superintendent has announced plans to expand a task force that has been studying a comprehensive sexual assault curriculum.
Superintendent Joe Siano said in a letter to The Norman Transcript (http://bit.ly/1vtDu36 ), days after hundreds of Norman High School students walked out of class to protest the alleged bullying of three girls who reported being raped, that full details will be announced next week.
"The demonstration ... sent a clear message that the school's student body will not tolerate sexual assault and the re-victimization of any victims," Siano wrote. "There is not an administrator or teacher at Norman High who does not want our students to feel safe, secure and supported in their school."
The task force will be expanded to include students of Norman High and Norman North and additional community members, including mental health specialists, Siano said.
Members will study and make recommendations whether additional training of staff, and whether school board policies and school procedures should be modified, in the areas of sexual assault and bullying
Kathy Moxley, director of the University of Oklahoma's Women's Outreach Center and its sexual assault response team coordinator has agreed to chair the committee, according to NPS spokeswoman Shelly Hickman.
Members of the student group #YesAllDaughters said they are pleased.
"It is our sincerest wish that we transform these tragic stories - coupled with the staggering number of horrific bullying and sexual harassment stories shared with us from the Norman community - into lasting positive change," members told the newspaper. "We hope that NPS will not sweep this under the rug once the media frenzy wanes, and this remains a top priority in the days to come."
Protest organizers said they were sending a message that school administrators should have done more to protect girls who said they were raped by the same male student who has since been expelled.
No criminal charges have been filed and police said their investigation into the allegations is ongoing.
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Information from: The Norman Transcript, http://www.normantranscript.com
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