Madison, WI — State Representative David Steffen (R-Howard) issued the following statement in response to a federal lawsuit against the Oconto Falls School District alleging a pattern of grooming and sexual abuse within the high school:
“Teachers and school staff have the essential responsibility to protect our students, and I am grateful that the vast majority of staff go above and beyond in carrying out this responsibility. I am deeply disturbed by the allegations within this lawsuit. In any case involving guilt of abuse, predators must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
“Earlier this session, I co-authored Acts 88 and 89 to create and clearly define the crime of grooming as well as to require schools to adopt policies surrounding appropriate communications between staff, volunteers, and students. These new laws are critical steps to keeping students safe and ensuring prosecutors have a clear pathway to pursue justice for victims,” said Rep. Steffen.
For more information, please contact the office of State Representative David Steffen at (608) 237-9104 or by email at Rep.Steffen@legis.wisconsin.gov.
