From New York Post
BY KELLY MAGEELast updated: 9:42 am April 7, 2009
Posted: 12:57 amApril 7, 2009
FOUR students claim they were kept in solitary confinement for two weeks before being expelled from the Oprah Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
The girls, who were among seven pupils accused of forcing fellow students into sexual relationships and engaging in bullying and harassment, told a South African newspaper of how they were treated before being sent home.
Speaking to The Star of Capetown, the girls claim guards were stationed outside their rooms and they were barred from attending class or communicating to other students during the initial investigation.
They slept in separate rooms.
The students were banned from the cafeteria and, instead, meals were brought to their rooms by school staff. But the girls claim they were too distraught to eat.
"I asked myself, 'What's the point?' " said one of the girls. "I'm going to be expelled anyway."
Lisa Halliday, a spokesperson for Oprah, said the girls underwent "in-school suspension." Security guards were there for the safety of the pupils, according to Halliday.
It was the first time the young women involved in the case have spoken publicly -- though the paper did not identify the expelled students by name due to the sexual nature of the case.
A 15-year-old confirmed physical contact between students.
"If they say I was touching other learners, it's true," she told The Star.
In her defense, she said, "No one complained to me about it. Obviously if you touch someone, if they are uncomfortable, they will tell you."
To read more, click below:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04072009/tv/oprah_school_locked_up_students_163229.htm
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