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Oh No…Not again!!   In an article on ABCNews.com, by By Alexis Shaw,(click her for the full article) Shaw reported that another case involving accusations of rape against 2 High School football players, this time in Torrington, Connecticut.  A state judge sealed the details of the accusations from the public, the Associated Press reported, however the local newspaper has done an article on the support that the accused football players have received from their friends and peers have posted on social media and how that support has sparked controversy within the community.

The 2 players, 18 year-old Edgar Gonzalez and Joan Toribio, were charged with the sexual assault of two 13 year old girls.  Another male student has also been charge with 2nd degree sexual assault in this case.   For instance, from the article, “At Torrington High School’s annual Dodgeball charity tournament March 22, students are seen displaying the number 21 with their fingers, which was Gonzalez’ football jersey number. The picture was posted to Instagram by the user aaliyahhx, according to The Register Citizen.”

While the article seems to be focused on the people who are expressing support for the accused, at  least the local Mayor, town police and school district seem to be trying to do something useful in this case by informing the community and students about what sexual assault is and cyber bullying.

Per the artick “Gonzalez is in custody at New Haven Correctional Center and is due back in court on April 2. Toribio posted $100,000 bail. He is under electronic monitoring and has a court date scheduled for April 23.”  Both Gonzalez and Toribio have pled not guilty to the charges.

One of the key messages that needs addressing in these discussions is that nothing that happens online is private, said Stephanie Barksdale, executive director of the United Way of Northwest Connecticut, a community impact network that plans to assist in these conversations within the Torrington school district.

Now a days, parents and the school need to explain to their kids and students the effects of their actions and that they are going to be held accountable for their actions.  The courts will determine if they are guilty or not.  The legal system will do its work.  Too many kids are sheltered from the real world any more and getting their moral compass from reality TV.

The article listed on ABCNews does not really explain why it listed the 2 suspects as football players and not just students.  Touting the fact that the 2 students were football players is the media’s way to exploit the stereotype that football is played by violent people.

You High School football players have to understand that their are benefits to playing football, but when a girl says “no”, it is never ok to go any further.   You need to understand that with the spotlight of football, also comes the spotlight of trouble or embarrassment if you let it find you.  ghis is just another sad case where everyone loses in this situation.  The real world comes knocking quickly when someone screws up, football player or not.