Case 14: The St. Paul’s School Rape Case
Time & Location: 2014, New Hampshire, USA
Victim: A 15-year-old student
Background: In 2014, St. Paul’s School, an elite boarding school in New Hampshire, became the focus of a high-profile rape case. A 15-year-old freshman accused an 18-year-old senior of raping her as part of a school tradition known as the “Senior Salute,” where graduating seniors attempt to have sexual encounters with underclassmen before graduation. The trial revealed a culture of sexual conquest and pressure within the school, sparking widespread media attention and debate.
Current Status: The senior was convicted of misdemeanor sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, but acquitted of the more serious felony rape charges. He was sentenced to a year in jail and required to register as a sex offender. St. Paul’s School faced lawsuits from the victim’s family and increased scrutiny from the public and regulators. The case led to significant changes in the school’s policies on sexual misconduct and student behavior, as well as a broader conversation about consent and sexual violence in educational institutions.
