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Denton Guyer High School students stage walkout over 15-year-old's rape on campus

A video showed students accusing the school’s administration, including principal Shaun Perry, of not doing enough to prevent the alleged assault

On Friday, October 15, over 100 students at a Denton, Texas, high school staged a walkout after a 15-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted on campus. The protest took place at Denton Guyer High School where students held up signs and called out their principal for failing to prevent the incident. 

While one of the phrases on one of the signs read, “Blame Rapists for Rape,” another said, “We Believe You!” Videos of the protest were posted by Denton Record-Chronicle reporter Lucinda Breeding, according to which, students yelled, “We are here to be able to feel safe to go to our school." Other students chanted, “We won’t forget.” A video showed students accusing the school’s administration, including principal Shaun Perry, of not doing enough to prevent the alleged assault on campus, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Some of the other high schools which recently made headlines for various reasons include Heritage High School, New Hanover School, Boulder High School, and Timberview High School. 

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Principal writes letter to parents

Perry had written a letter to parents Thursday urging students to remain in class. “A key part of Guyer High School’s reputation is built on the accomplishments of our students and staff,” Perry wrote. “How we treat one another, including in person and online, also plays a part in that reputation.”

The principal added in the letter that teachers would continue to record attendance while school officials monitored the protest, and no outside visitors would be allowed to participate. Parents also gathered to join in the protest and met up with students in front of the school. “I have shared the expectations with our faculty and staff, and each of us stand ready to assist our students as we move forward,” Perry wrote. “Our staff works tirelessly to provide the safest possible learning environment that fosters healthy relationships.”

'Every student deserves to be safe at school'

The 15-year-old victim was reportedly sexually assaulted by another student on the campus of Denton Guyer High School last week. After the alleged assault on October 6, the girl was rushed to a local hospital. According to reports, the accused is a 17-year-old boy. People reacted to the circulating videos of the protest online by standing up for the students on campus. "These students are 100 percent right. The problems at Guyer High School go way beyond the principal but leadership needs to be held accountable for what has happened to these kids, and others, on their watch. #guyerwalkout," one of them wrote. 

Another said, "Sending love and support to Guyer students and other community members as they speak out against rape culture today. Every student deserves to be safe at school. Kudos to those who are fighting to make that happen. #Denton #DentonTX #DentonTexas #Guyer #GuyerHS #GuyerWalkout." A third commented, "You are supported!!!! #guyerwalkout."

No arrests have been made in the case as of Friday. “Should any charges be filed at the conclusion of the investigation, we would be sure to put out a release given the attention this case has gotten,” according to a statement released Friday by Denton police. “We appreciate your patience and sensitivity to the nature of this case." The principal has made it clear that the school was cooperating with the police investigation. "While we cannot comment on the specifics of this police investigation, we want to assure our community that the safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority,” Denton school district spokeswoman Julie Zwahr said in a statement to KXAS-TV.