Community demands accountability after Antioch High School hazing incident

"In a video that appeared on social media platforms last month, some members of the Antioch football team could be seen hazing an unidentified teenager. School and district officials have not confirmed if the teen in the 34-second clip is a special needs student. In the video, the teen is seen lying on the ground, screaming, while others, believed to be football players, surround him and laugh."

"Elizabeth LaVasse, the chief executive officer and president of the We Get It Foundation that supports autistic and neurodivergent individuals, said the episode was not the first, and it was due to a culture of silence and a culture of looking the other way. Students and alumni have told me privately, even recently, that this happens all the time that this is a normal rite of passage in these locker rooms, said LaVasse. When abuse becomes tradition, something is deeply wrong."

"LaVasse said she has spoken publicly about the incident, but claimed she was bullied by school district staff members, which she said has left her feeling unsafe. I am not here to attack staff. There are incredible, incredible educators in this district, but there are also staff members who have retaliated, who do bully parents, who mock advocates, and who have created an environment where good people stay silent because speaking up feels unsafe, she said. This district does not have a student problem."

A social media video showed members of the Antioch football team hazing an unidentified teenager, who is seen lying on the ground screaming while others laugh. School and district officials have not confirmed whether the teen in the 34-second clip is a special needs student. Advocates and parents called for transparency and accountability at a Board of Trustees meeting. Elizabeth LaVasse of the We Get It Foundation described the incident as part of a recurring culture of silence and ritualized abuse in locker rooms. LaVasse reported being bullied by district staff and warned that staff retaliation has silenced concerns.

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