Joint Statement from Mayor, Superintendent Pierantozzi

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Joint statement from Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Tony

Pierantozzi, Superintendent of the Somerville Public Schools.

Earlier today, three members of the Somerville High School junior

varsity boys soccer team were arrested on charges that include aggravated rape

and assault with intent to rape that allegedly occurred at the annual sports

camp in Western Massachusetts. We are disturbed and appalled that these crimes

may have taken place and our

thoughts and concerns are with the victims and their families. We thank

Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless and his office, Middlesex County

District Attorney Marian Ryan, and the Massachusetts

State Police for their speed and diligence in undertaking an investigation of

these allegations, and also for working cooperatively with the Somerville

Police Department and our school officials at every step of this

investigation. 

These

allegations were first reported to members of the Athletic

Department at Somerville High School on Tuesday, August 27, 2013. The

information was immediately reported to the appropriate authorities including

the Department of Children and Families, and a criminal investigation immediately

began under the direction of the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office

with support by State and Somerville Police. An internal investigation is

ongoing.  

At this time, the thorough and meticulous investigation by

the Berkshire County D.A.’s Office provides no indication that anyone other

than the three individuals arrested have been implicated, and found that this

was a single, isolated incident. No other victims have been identified. Our student-athletes

are taught to be leaders in our community and they represent the highest and

best values that our school and our community hold. We would like to thank the

members of the soccer team for their compassionate support of the victims and

their courage in coming forward to assist authorities with the investigation.

Our

primary concern right now is for the victims and other members of the boys

soccer team, as well as for other teams that attended the summer camp. Support

services are in place for all those in need of such services. Informational

meetings have been conducted for all team members and the parents and guardians

of team members who attended the camp to ensure all have access to appropriate

services. We will continue to provide these services including the support of

the Trauma Response Network and counseling. Services are available to community

members and school families who may need them, and an educational and support

forum for the school and community members will be announced in the near

future.

Our coaches, staff and teachers promote the importance of students

working cooperatively and supporting one another at all times. We take great

pride in the fact that our students are actively involved in creating caring

and supportive school communities. We continue to emphasize to all students that any type of aggressive,

criminal or demeaning behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the

Somerville Public Schools.

As

the investigation continues, and as our community processes this very

disturbing information and comes together to heal, we ask that the privacy of student-athletes and families be respected.