Alleged Hazing Baffles Mephan [Long Island, NY] Residents

Newsday.com ^ | September 14, 2003 (Sunday) | Ann Givens

[First_Salute]

When Michelle Davis heard two women at a Bellmore nail salon describe a recent alleged sex abuse incident by Mepham High School football team as "kids getting carried away," she threw up her hands so fast she nearly smudged her still-fresh manicure.

"Carried away?," the Bellmore resident shouted. "These kids are criminals! They should go to prison!"

Less than a week after members of the football team were accused of sodomizing younger players at a preseason camp in Pennsylvania with what a source close to a victim said was a broomstick, there is both nervous chatter and uncomfortable silence on the streets of Bellmore and Merrick.

Many adults turned their backs on questions about the alleged incident, saying the community has been humiliated enough. [snip]

"It's so horrifying there aren't even words," said Linda Fishman, 47, of Merrick, who was running errands yesterday. "I sent my son to wrestling camp this March. After this, I'm not sure I would do that again." [snip]

But Alison Humphreys, 17, and her friend Jesse Ganzer, 18, who both graduated from Bellmore's John F. Kennedy High School recently, said they weren't surprised by what allegedly happened. They said even the Kennedy drama club, of which they were members, had terrible verbal hazing rituals. At the annual cast party at the end of the year, the younger students were singled out and ridiculed about their appearances and personalities. Sometimes the verbal abuse became homophobic and racist, they said. [snip]

(The same page has a Newsday.com columnist's article (link) entitled, "Searching for Grownups.")

[BJungNan]

You either forgot the sarcasm tag, or you have a serious problem.

The serious problem I was commenting on was that some feel this calls for the police to step in, the district attorney to bring charges, and kids to go to jail over a hazing incident that showed poor judgement but was kids being kids.

The parents can't solve this amoung themselves? We have to bring the government in on every problem we have? That is the problem I have. We complain and then we ask for it.

[cyborg]

It happens more than you think. This episode of hazing just leaked out to the news.

[cyborg]

Sodomy? Suppose that was YOUR kid? Ooops my bad. No need to get worried my friend, I won't send your son to jail for SODOMIZING my kid. No problem.

[cyborg]

I know Newsday is a liberal rag. That's no excuse though. This is not the first time I've heard of hazing in the form of sodomy for football players. All of it was covered up. Let's not even mention bullying. I went to Sacred Heart, and my sister went to Uniondale High School. No bullies in either school thank GOD.

[MEG33]

If the law isn't brought in one way ..there's a danger that it may have to be brought in another.

I have NEVER heard of sodomy hazing.It's RAPE!Boys will be boys?Outrageous!My husband's calm and reasonable demeanor would have exploded if some kid had done that to our son.I am without words.

[cyborg]

Kids are notorious at keeping secrets. Earlier in my school life before I moved to Long Island, I suffered severe bullying. If I ever told my mom what happened, she'd feel very guilty. I have never been to public school. I'm glad I never went as I do not think I would have ever survived. Kids are finding new and ugly ways to be cruel to eachother. Parents really need to pay attention and communicate with their kids.

[MEG33]

I know Moms don't know all, but you'd think I'd have read about it happening somewhere.Of course it's been many moons since I had a child in school.

I detest bullying.I was made afraid and humiliated by some tough girls and I didn't tell.It was nothing physical,though.

My husband played football and joined a fraternity during a time hazing during pledgeship was tough.He never encountered this.

[cyborg]

My husband played football and joined a fraternity during a time hazing during pledgeship was tough.He never encountered this.

** I think that's why private schools and homeschooling are becoming so popular. Public schools are just becoming soupy concoctions of social disease and liberal social engineering.

[Free Trapper]

Some people wonder what could cause a kid to kill.

This would be reason enough for me.

If anyone had even tried something like this on me when I was a kid they would have died long and hard,no question about it.

[MEG33]

I went to a younger expert,my 21yr old grandson and he says he never heard of it.He also said "You'd never tell,of course".

The humiliation keeps the perps from exposure.

I am a law abiding gentle soul but this story makes me feel murderous!

[cyborg]

Yeah when I read stories like this, or anything where children are harmed, I very outraged. I probably should be just as angry for adults, but you know there's something about kids.

[Free Trapper]

The victim of this rape will have problems because of this his entire life,I would guess.

The monsters that did this should be locked away for a long time and have the "sex abuser" brand to carry the rest of their lives,at the very least.

However,I believe the victim or his family have the moral right although not the legal right to hand out their own punishment if they prefer.I couldn't convict them in a court of law for handing out their own justice.

[BJungNan]

I have NEVER heard of sodomy hazing.It's RAPE!Boys will be boys?Outrageous!My husband's calm and reasonable demeanor would have exploded if some kid had done that to our son.I am without words.

Ask your husband what sort of things he did when he was a teenager. If you actually tells you, which he won't, you will be equally speechless.

[BJungNan]

The victim of this rape will have problems because of this his entire life,I would guess.

I am going to have to go back and read this story more closely. I thought it said it was a hazing and that all participates took part voluntarily.

[ladyjane]

For teachers to defend and excuse that behavior is a statement of our culture today.

Every day teachers excuse and pretend not to see assault, harassment and bullying. Perhaps they're afraid of not being 'popular' or afraid the bullies will turn on them. I'm glad you stood up to the system.

[FeliciaCat]

How can sodomy with a broomstick be "Boys Being Boys"????? you are seriously TWISTED....

[MEG33]

Oh,sure.That's why the police were called.I am sorry about your experiences.I

[Conservative til I die]

Oh please! This is nothing more than boys being boys. This country has so gone off its rocker. It may have been over the top - but bring criminal charges!

Please poke yourself in the ear with an icepick.

[Conservative til I die]

So you're talking of eliminating law enforcement ands implementing a vigilante system???

[Conservative til I die]

Funny, I went to high school and never raped anyone of either sex. You must live in a sick world.