8 Former Students Sue Ringling Over Sexual Assaults

Eight former students have sued the Ringling College of Art and Design, charging it mishandled reports of sexual assault, violence and stalking, ABC7 News reported.

“Ringling breached its duty to protect its student population by providing a safe campus environment,” the suit says. “Ringling engaged in the pattern and practice of dissuading victim reports involved manipulative tactics including minimalization, blaming and rejecting, to the victim, the victim’s perception of their experience.”

One case cited is of a woman who said that she was shocked to find the man she accused of assaulting her at her first meeting with college officials about her report. She was never informed if he was punished, but the suit says he remained enrolled at the college. The suit also claims the alleged assault was not reported, as required, to the U.S. Department of Education.

Chelsea Garner-Ferris, editorial director of marketing and communications for Ringling, said, “The safety of our students and the entire Ringling College community is and always has been a top priority. As a practice, however, the college does not comment on pending legal matters.”