BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Minneapolis law firm says poor policies, training and supervision have plagued a small North Dakota high school where alleged hazing led to charges against five boys.

The report by the Langevin Lentz firm for the Richland 44 School Board details reports from parents of what has come to be called the “rape game” in the community. But it also says there’s confusion about what that actually is.

The term has been described several ways, from finger-poking of the buttocks through clothes to students being restrained and anally penetrated with fingers.

Authorities in mid-February referred five boys to juvenile court for alleged offenses including felonious restraint, terrorizing, hazing and sexual assault.

The law firm found issues with school policies, training and supervision. The school board says they’ll be addressed.

 

Previously…

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — There’s been another departure at the North Dakota high school where an alleged hazing incident led to charges against five boys.

Richland 44 School District board president Lisa Amundson says athletic director and head football coach John Freeman has left the high school. WDAY-TV reports Amundson would not say whether Freeman was dismissed or resigned.

Freeman’s departure follows announcements earlier this week of superintendent Tim Godfrey resigning and high school principal Bruce Anderson retiring. It’s not immediately clear if the leadership changes are related to the ongoing investigation into hazing and sexual misconduct alleged to have occurred in the boys locker room. Authorities in mid-February referred five boys to juvenile court for offenses that include felonious restraint, terrorizing, hazing and sexual assault.