Sexual Assault Allegations Rock BVI School; Teacher Under Investigation

For at least two weeks, perhaps longer, rumors have been circulating in the British Virgin Islands that a teacher at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) had sexually assaulted a student. On Friday, the BVI Ministry of Education,, Youth Affairs, and Sports attempted to address the situation. A terse, two-paragraph press release from the Ministry said only that officials were “aware of a serious allegation involving a teacher and a student.”‌ While declining to name the school in question or the accused teacher, the Ministry nevertheless reassured the public that it is “following the proper process, which includes the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the Social Development Department, and the Teaching Service Commission.” ‌While an investigation takes place, the Ministry says that “measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of the school community.” What those measures are, the press release did not say.‌ Reporting from local news outlet 284 Media indicates that while an...