The Feminist Hub

Help the Cheerleader! Please, spread the word!

TW: rape

A while back, we shared this story about a high school cheerleader who was forced to cheer for her rapist and about her family who is now expected to pay $45,000 in legal fees. Now, there is a way to help her!

Here’s the situation:

A Silsbee High School cheerleader took her school to court when they kicked her off the squad for refusing to cheer her own rapist.

The week of May 5, 2011 the Supreme Court refused to hear the case and is requiring her family pay the school $45,000 in legal fees.

We want to help – and we want to give you the opportunity to help too.

This girl was raped at the age of 16.  When she spoke out against the star athlete, she had to deal with constant harassment from her fellow students.  The administration’s way of coping with this treatment was to suggest she avoid the cafeteria and not go to Homecoming.  Her rape counselor encouraged her to continue all the activities she did before the rape, so she stayed on the squad,  an activity she loved.

She went to the games and cheered for the entire team, but when it came time to cheer her rapist’s name individually as he shot a free throw, she simply crossed her arms and stayed silent.  She was summarily, and publicly, kicked off the squad. Her family went to court.

An ABC News article from October 2010 says :

“It frustrates me,” said the teen, who is referred to by her initials H.S. in court documents. “All I’ve wanted out of this all along is for somebody to say they’ve done wrong.” She insists, however, that the fight is worth it, if only to give other rape victims a reason to stand up for themselves. “If everything works out the way that we’re hoping … then it makes a point that it’s not all right,” she said. “And if we keep fighting for that, then maybe other people will too.”

Unfortunately, things did not work out the way they hoped. We have included links below so you can research the incident yourselves and make the decision you feel is right.  Our opinion, regardless of the legal issues, is that this girl has been punished enough.

For more information about this case, visit Articles About this Case.

To find out more ways to help, see How You Can Help.

Thank you for your time!

Mel