Fairley High School Students Unfazed by Police Rape Allegations

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis Police are investigating one of their own for charges of rape. A Fairley High School student says she was raped by a cop who was also a school resource officer. Students at the Whitehaven school say they aren't surprised by the allegations.

As Ashley Ratliff, a Fairly High School junior, left campus on Tuesday, she shared her thoughts regarding allegations of a Memphis Police school resource officer being sexually involved with a female student.

"I'm really not surprised 'cause I done seen a lot of stuff with my own eyes, but I really don't want to say, but I'm not surprised."

Without getting into graphic detail, students tell us adult males on the school campus are inappropriate with the young, female students.

We asked, "What are some of the things men, teachers or officers, do or say to the girls that you think are inappropriate?"
"[They] call them honey, baby, sweetie, stuff like that."

"I think it's really disgusting for them to even be looking at the kids like that, even though how they might dress or how they might appear."

Joann Townsend says it hasn't been too long since she was in high school herself, so she knows what goes on inside the walls of city schools. Still, she says adults, especially officers, should play their part.

"You ought to know your limit. To risk your job, and your whole life to mess with a child, is ridiculous."

Beryl Wight with the Memphis Child Advocacy Center blames the adult when a child is involved.

"We need to be looking at the older men and what is it that gives them permission to do this," said Wight. "What's going on in their minds? They're the cause of this, not the girls."

Wight says when victims come to the center, their main objective is to reverse societal stereotypes that often leaves the victim blaming themselves.

"No matter what happens, no matter what behavior a girl might participate in, even if it's behavior we might not approve of, the important thing we have to realize is that adults are responsible for their behaviors, and they are responsible for protecting children and teenagers."

Memphis Police are not releasing any information about the incident at this time.

If you or anyone you know needs to talk to anyone about a sexual assault or any other uncomfortable experience, the Memphis area offers several options:

• LINK | The Child Advocacy Center
• LINK | The Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center
• LINK | The Family Exchange Center