St. George's Victims Continue to Call for Headmaster's Resignation

By Adam Bagn
NBC 10
January 13, 2016

http://turnto10.com/news/local/only-on-10-st-georges-victims-continue-to-call-for-headmasters-resignation

Alleged victims are continuing to call for the resignation of the headmaster at St. George's School, even as the school announced a new independent investigator earlier this week.

The elite Middletown prep school is currently engulfed in a major sex abuse scandal.

Attorneys for the alleged victims say more than 40 people have told them they were sexually assaulted at St. George's.

Of the three that have spoken publicly, all of them want the resignation of headmaster Eric Peterson.

"Eric Peterson has been covering this up since 2004 - my issue, as well as others," said alleged victim Harry Groome.

In a press conference last week, Groome said he told Peterson in 2012 about his rape in the 1970s, but claims the headmaster gave him the run around.

Alleged victim Katie Wales Lovkay told a similar story.

"He's a really good salesman - used car salesman," she said.

In letters and emails provided to NBC 10 News by the victims' attorneys, as well as in the school's own report, it's clear Peterson knew about the allegations for years.

But Rhode Island State Police said they weren't notified of any allegations until November 1. That's seemingly a violation of the state's mandatory reporting law.

"Why did it take until November 1? They knew about [Al] Gibbs in 1988. They knew about [Al] Gibbs in 2011, 2012, and they didn't do anything. Mr. Peterson sat in this office - where we are right now," said the alleged victim's lawyer Eric Macleish.

However, Peterson has said he won't resign, despite pressure from students, alumni, and the general public.

In a statement to NBC 10, the school noted it was Peterson, who launched an inquiry into the problem.

"Mr. Peterson has supported a vigorous investigation of alleged sexual abuse. While at the same time, offering his compassion and empathy to survivors," the statement said, in part.

But alleged victim Anne Scott disagrees.

She provided NBC 10 with an email in which Peterson fails to release her from a 25-year-old gag order.

Peterson wrote that was comfortable with Scott speaking to her "...friends, family members, [and] therapists..."

Scott said Peterson relented months later, but only after her lawyer threatened to file a federal motion.

Meanwhile, her attorney remains incensed at school officials, and their apparent failures to properly notify authorities.

"The school reports this three days after the Globe calls. Well, maybe those events are unrelated. We'll let your viewers decide," said Macleish.

The school released the following statement Wednesday evening:

"Nearly a year ago, on its own initiative, and at the request of the current Head of School Eric Peterson, St. George's School and the Board of Trustees launched an internal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by former employees and former students. More than 100 individuals came forward to participate in that investigation, and others still have come forward since its conclusion.

The school has an unwavering commitment to seeking the truth and supporting survivors of abuse. The joint appointment by the Board and SGS for Healing of Scott Harshbarger as the independent investigator and the selection of Day One as the entity to provide counseling services to survivors were positive and cooperative steps forward. Mr. Peterson and the Board hope these actions will continue to foster healing for the survivors and the entire St. George's community."