Care taken with Rusheon Middle Schoolers, parents

As students and parents continue to deal with the alleged sexual assault of two Rusheon Middle Schoolers, the Bossier School Board pledged safety and help.

Bossier City police arrested three male juveniles in connection with an incident last Friday after school hours at the school involving the assault of two 13-year-old girls.

A 14-year-old was booked into the Bossier Juvenile Detention Center on a charge of simple rape while a 13-year-old was arrested by citation for simple battery. A  14-year-old boy was arrested by citation on a charge of simple battery.

Superintendent D.C. Machen and Principal Harriet Johnson sent a letter to parents of Rusheon Middle School students, assuring the parents their children's safety is the system's top priority.

"We will not hesitate to address and take the appropriate action necessary to eliminate inappropriate activity or threats to any student or faculty member," the letter said.

It was pointed out the alleged assault took place after normal hours of the school and there was a teacher and three adult chaperones accompanying the 45 students on the trip.

The incident occurred at approximately 5 p.m. last Friday after students retumed from a band trip to Monroe. The three suspects reportedly forced the two victims into a boys' restroom and assaulted them.

The 14-year old arrested for simple rape is accused of having one of the victims conduct a sex act while the two juveniles arrested for simple battery attempted to remove a belt from the second victim.

The letter also noted there is a school resource officer on campus as well as teachers stationed at "strategic" locations at the school.

"Unfortunately, even with the practices and strategies put in place, there are no guarantees that we can prevent all acts of violence that exist in our society today."

The letter also outlined security measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the middle schoolers, such as monitoring and implementing all strategies to ensure a safe and positive environment is maintained.

Extra counselors and crisis interventionists are available to all students

"I am asking you continue to trust and work with us to do all we can to strive for the most positive and safe environment for all of our students," the letter concluded.

However, not all children who are frightened by the incident or have experienced similar abuse will contact their school's counselor.

For parents who have noticed a change in their child, Jessica Miller, executive director of the Gingerbread House Bossier/Caddo Children's Advocacy Center, noted parents need to pay attention to body language when it comes to possible abuse.

“Oftentimes children’s nonverbal behaviors, including their body language, will give important clues even before children are ready to talk about the abuse.  As a parent, it is important to become familiar with the warning signs of possible child abuse so that you will be able to recognize behaviors that may suggest a child is or has been abused; or in the case of an underage offender, the child is struggling to control potentially harmful impulses,” Miller said.

Signs that a child may be hiding abuse include:

Has nightmares or other sleep problems without an explanation

Seems distracted or distant at odd times

Has a sudden change in eating habits

Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, insecurity or withdrawal

Leaves “clues” that seem likely to provoke a discussion about sexual issues

Writes, draws, plays or dreams of sexual or frightening images

Develops new or unusual fear of certain people or places

Refuses to talk about a secret shared with an adult or older child

Talks about a new older friend

Suddenly has money, toys or other gifts without reason

Thinks of self or body as repulsive, dirty or bad

Exhibits adult-like sexual behaviors, language and knowledge

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