School District Sued Over Alleged Sexual Assault of Student on a School Bus
According to a report from Jax Today, the family of a then-freshman student who was allegedly sexually assaulted on a school bus by another student back in 2024 has filed a civil lawsuit against Duval County Public Schools. The federal civil rights lawsuit argues that the school district violated its duty to provide a safe environment to the young student. In this article, our Miami sexual assault attorney for victims explains what we know about these allegations.
Lawsuit Alleges a Student Was Assaulted Three Times on Her School Bus
As confirmed by Jax Today, the federal civil sexual assault lawsuit was filed on behalf of a student based on three alleged incidents that happened while she was enrolled at the Stanton College Preparatory School. The incidents occurred in September of 2024 aboard a bus operated by Student Transportation of America. Notably, that company is a contractor for Duval County Public Schools.
The complaint alleges that the most serious incident happened near the front of the bus and that video footage shows the driver looking toward the students while the assault was occurring. After the student reported what happened, her family alleges that school officials minimized her complaints, failed to provide appropriate Title IX support, and mishandled the district’s response. The lawsuit names the district, Superintendent Christopher Bernier, school administrators, a school resource officer, the bus company, and the driver as defendants. The other student has since pleaded guilty to a criminal felony sexual battery charge.
Title IX Protects Students From Sex-Based Harassment
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Its protections can extend to sexual harassment and sexual violence committed by one student against another. Schools that learn of sexual harassment must respond promptly and cannot act with deliberate indifference to the situation. Federal regulations also require schools to make supportive measures available and provide information about the Title IX complaint process.
A School District Is Not Automatically Liable for Another Student’s Conduct
A Title IX lawsuit against a school district does not simply ask whether one student sexually assaulted another. The Supreme Court established a demanding standard for district liability in Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education. A school district may face damages liability for student-on-student sexual harassment when it has actual knowledge of harassment, responds with deliberate indifference, and the harassment is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies the victim equal access to educational opportunities. As these are notoriously complex, sensitive cases, it is imperative that victims and families have access to reliable legal representation.
We Represent Sexual Assault Victims in South Florida
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami civil sexual assault lawyer puts victims first. If your child was a victim of sexual misconduct while on school grounds, we are here to help. Contact us today for a free, no obligation, and strictly confidential consultation. Our firm fights for justice for sexual abuse victims throughout South Florida.
Source:
jaxtoday.org/2026/08/10/sexual-assault-school-bus-duval/
