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.