How many sexual assaults are reported in BPS? The answer is murky. Here’s why.

by BPS Equity Watch email author January 25, 2023

Arecent Boston Globe article states the following: “City Councilor Erin Murphy recently has come under fire after repeatedly reporting that Boston Public Schools last year had 744 reported sexual assaults, a characterization disputed by the district.”. Now before one forms any opinion on Councilor Murphy’s assertions, one needs to ask themselves, “What personal, professional, or political gain would she have by trying to inflate these numbers?” The only remote possible answer one could come up with, and this is a stretch, is that as the article suggests it strengthens the argument that police need to be back in the schools. Even with that, she is not gaining anything, other than her desire to see BPS Students and staff living in a safer environment.

Before I even explore the safety issue, I think it’s important to address the idea that the district is disputing these numbers. Well, of course the district is disputing these numbers. Have no doubt that the new Superintendent (who bears no responsibility for what happened during SY 21/22) is under pressure to minimize negative accusations regarding what goes on in BPS. As for the credibility of the BPS, many should already be aware of the coverups and lies that were told regarding the culture at The Mission Hill School. How about the BPS response when a student was having a stroke and a Nurse chose not to call 911? One could go on and on naming some extremely questionable behavior on the part of BPS officials.

My main point in this message is to state emphatically that it is just plain wrong for Councilor Murphy to have her name and reputation dragged through the mud for stating what appear to be facts. Those who are gifted at manipulating data and playing with semantics can say what they want, but she did not create

January 26 20223 these numbers out of thin air. It is one thing if you disagree with her (and 3 other Councilors) positions on police in schools. Honestly, I see arguments for both sides, though given the recent spike in BPS violence, I lean towards police presence, (even just temporarily). Councilor Murphy was a BPS teacher, and while I do not know her personally, I do know that the vast majority of BPS teachers, with some exceptions of course, care for the success and safety of students. Many receiving this message are parents of BPS students. Ask yourself how you would feel if your child was the victim of some type of sexual misbehavior. Would you want that swept under the rug? Sadly, it seems that BPS and even other education institutions find it more advantageous to cover up these incidents (Google Owen Labrie and the St. Paul’s School). The damage to victims of these incidents is harrowing. I personally prefer people like Councilor Murphy, who are willing to speak facts regardless of what type of political backlash is the result. If people truly care about our students, they should applaud her stance on this issue as well.

A Message From City Councilor Erin Murphy:

“One point of clarity. The district isn’t disputing these numbers. The district provided these numbers to the Boston City Council after I requested them. The BTU, some in the BPS district, and others didn’t like that they were labeled all as sexual assaults. They would have preferred that the word “misconduct” was used. I talked to Supt. Skipper after this article came out and she called the Globe to ask them to edit it. They refused. I also called the Globe writer. She refused. Bottom line for me is that any acts of misconduct/violence that are sexual in nature are outrageous and need to be addressed appropriately. 744 in one year is alarming to me and our children deserve better! They deserve people in power, and local news outlets, to be responsible and hopefully outraged also. Not spending their efforts trying to slander me for bringing this to light. I have advocated for children my entire adult life and I will continue to do so on the Boston City Council. Getting bogged down in semantics over the words assault and misconduct for political reasons, and not focusing on the children, is why our system is in the state it is in. Please continue to follow along because the work has only begun!”

Sincerely, Councilor Murphy

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