Homewood-Flossmoor High School Student Settles $3.5M Sexual Assault Lawsuit.
A years-long legal battle between Amayah Blair, a former student of Homewood-Flossmoor High School, and the school district has concluded with a $3.5 million settlement. The lawsuit stemmed from allegations that the school mishandled a sexual assault reported by Blair on campus in 2022.
Allegations of Mishandling the Assault
Blair, along with her mother, Jessica Johnson, filed the lawsuit against Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233. According to the suit, Blair reported the assault during her first-period theater class but was not notified to her mother for over an hour.
Blair also claimed she was not given medical assistance at the school before being sent to the hospital.
Details of the Assault and Public Response
Blair, who was in her first-period class, alleges that a male student followed her into a room on school grounds where the assault occurred. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the male student entering the room with Blair, but no cameras recorded the actual assault.
Blair’s mother, Jessica Johnson, described the events, claiming her daughter repeatedly rejected the student’s advances, saying “no,” before being attacked.
The incident led to student walkouts in support of Blair and sparked a broader conversation about sexual violence in schools, drawing attention to the importance of school policies on sexual assault.
Settlement and School District’s Response
On March 18, 2024, the Blair family reached a $3.5 million settlement with Homewood-Flossmoor District 233, three years after the lawsuit was initially filed. However, the school district’s Board of Education defended its response to the incident.
In a statement, the board claimed that staff acted appropriately and swiftly in the best interest of all students involved. The settlement does not admit any fault or wrongdoing by the district or its staff.
Blair’s Continued Advocacy for Victims
Despite the financial settlement, Blair continues to speak out about her experience. While state law allows her to remain anonymous, she has chosen to come forward to raise awareness about sexual violence.
In a public statement, Blair emphasized the impact of sexual assault on both men and women, stating, “It’s hard, you know? Having to try to explain yourself about something that happened to you… it happens and it shouldn’t.”