GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — (Warning: Story contains graphic details or images)
A mother is calling on Gaston County Schools to handle sexual assault cases better.
Miranda Black alleges her daughter was sexually assaulted by a classmate at Cherryville High School in February and school administrators did not believe her or try to help.
"It's been pretty rough," Black shared with WCNC Charlotte. With tears in her eyes, she added, "We have to protect our daughters."
Black said when her daughter reported to the school resource officer (SRO) and assistant principal she had been assaulted, they did not believe her. Their response further traumatized her daughter for coming forward, the mother believes.
The mother explained that the SRO called her when he learned about the alleged sexual assault, but it wasn't the conversation she expected.
"He said if he didn't see [the assault] happen on camera, that he was filing a falsified police report charge on her," Black recalled. "He basically said that because she kissed him and laid her head on his chest he would be laughed at if he tried to take that to court," she added.
The SRO did take a report and referred it to detectives for investigation. However, the victim and her mother signed a form saying she was declining prosecution, according to a county official.
Black's daughter remained in class with the boy for several days. Black said a counselor never reached out to check on her.
"They didn’t even try to help her," Black said. "They basically made me feel like my child was lying."
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At the end of the week, Black spoke to the principal and unenrolled her daughter from school. "The principal had no idea," she claimed.
Ann Glaser with Pat’s Place said the organization has created steps for schools to follow when a child reports a sexual assault.
"Believe the child even if it doesn’t sound like something that could’ve happened," Glaser urged. She added it's important to not, "have a reaction that will scare the child away or stop the child from sharing."
Glaser said there are child advocacy centers, including Pat's Place, that offer training for school districts in and around Mecklenburg County.
Gaston County Schools told WCNC Charlotte that Cherryville High School investigated the incident and notified law enforcement. In a statement, a district spokesperson wrote, “The school has not received information or evidence to confirm that a sexual assault occurred at school.”
Black said her daughter does not want charges to be filed at this point because she's scared to face the boy in court. However, Black plans to file a formal complaint with Gaston County Police against the SRO.
"I hope that he learns that this is not the way that you speak to a sexual assault victim," Black said.
Black hopes her family’s story prompts a change in how schools handle reports of sexual assault.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.