A volleyball coach at a prestigious private school in New York City is facing allegations of grooming and sexually assaulting a former student over a period of several years. The lawsuit, filed by a 36-year-old woman who remains anonymous under the pseudonym “Jane Doe,” accuses Collin Henry, her former varsity volleyball coach at The Ethical Culture Fieldston School in the Bronx, of initiating a sexual relationship with her when she was 17 years old.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/volleyball-022325-1--06899c3bf3d147a497e7a78b98517d5f.jpg)
The plaintiff claims that the abuse began in 2004 when Henry allegedly started grooming her during her junior year. She states that the coach blurred the boundaries between them with inappropriate sexual jokes and personal anecdotes. The situation escalated in 2005 when Henry allegedly informed her that the age of consent in New York was 17, leading to a sexual relationship that continued into her senior year.
According to the lawsuit, Henry used his position of authority to manipulate and control Jane Doe, frequently sending sexually explicit messages and escalating to unwanted physical advances. The plaintiff alleges that Henry raped her multiple times without protection and coerced her into silence by threatening her future prospects, claiming she would be equally responsible if the abuse was disclosed.
Despite the plaintiff confiding in the school’s junior varsity coach about the ongoing abuse, no action was taken to address the situation. Allegations in the lawsuit suggest that rumors of the illicit relationship were known among teammates and even the athletic director, yet no intervention occurred. The enduring effects of the abuse have had a profound impact on Jane Doe’s mental health and well-being, leading her to seek legal recourse under the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law.
In response to the allegations, The Ethical Culture Fieldston School stated that it acted promptly to terminate Henry’s employment once the issue was raised in July 2024. However, the lawsuit contends that the school failed to disclose the true nature of Henry’s misconduct, leaving parents and students uninformed about his history of alleged sexual abuse.
The plaintiff is seeking punitive damages and has highlighted the need for accountability and justice in cases of sexual abuse. The school maintains that it prioritizes the safety and welfare of its students and refutes any suggestion of mishandling the allegations. Legal representation for Henry and the junior varsity coach, Lynford Foreman, have yet to make public statements regarding the accusations.
For support and assistance related to sexual abuse, individuals can reach out to resources such as the Crisis Text Line by texting “STRENGTH” to 741-741 or contacting the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). These services offer confidential and compassionate support for those in need.
As the case unfolds, it underscores the importance of addressing and preventing sexual abuse within educational institutions and reinforces the need for transparent and robust safeguarding policies to protect students from harm. The pursuit of justice in such cases remains crucial to holding perpetrators accountable and supporting survivors in their journey towards healing and recovery.