The problem we need to solve is the disregard of numerous sexual crimes (Rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, etc.) within Puyallup schools.The Puyallup schools are not the safe environment we should expect. It is so common for reports of sexual violence to not be investigated or for investigated reports to be given inadequate consequences, that students are carrying rape whistles and mace at school in fear.

The petition is for two causes:

• to change policies for allegations of sexual violence to include mandatory documentation and parent notification for all reports of sexual violence, assault and harassment, and to require that all staff and students are educated on the district's HIB report investigation standards, including the 12 day resolution. This transparency will ensure the victims feel heard and cases are properly addressed, allowing students to feel safer in their schools.
• re-examine cases that have not been resolved to the victim's satisfaction. (with the permission of the victim)

This is obviously a monumental problem, because sweeping sexual violence under the rug creates an unsafe learning environment by allowing the offender to go undisciplined and to continue assaulting students. Students who report any type of sexual violence to a trusted staff member must know that their trauma will not go ignored.

We are the students of The Puyallup School District, these are our peers and our friends being ignored. We cannot learn when we feel unsafe at school.

Close to100 ERHS students recently protested this issue on campus. All in all, even with protests, and multitudes off students of all colors, genders and ages speaking out, it still hasn't been enough. We need a change in Puyallup, and people need to be aware of the situation. If something changes for the better it reduces the opportunity for more assaults, holds assailants accountable and will help students like myself and others to not live in fear anymore. But that hasn't happened yet. We are the students and we are scared.

Enough is enough.