Family sues after alleged hazing, rape

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DES PLAINES, Ill., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A suburban Chicago mother has filed suit after her son was allegedly beaten and sodomized as part of a hazing ritual on his high school soccer team.

The mother and son, who were not identified by name in the court documents, allege the 14-year-old and three other freshmen on the Maine West High School team were held down and beaten by older teammates. The documents allege the boys' clothes were torn off and they were sexually assaulted during the incident, which took place after a Sept. 27 practice, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday.

The suit goes on to state that the coaches and principal at the Des Plaines high school did or should have known the hazing was taking place and did nothing to stop it.

A school district official said 10 students were disciplined following an investigation but declined to say in what manner, citing privacy policies. Five coaches in total were removed or suspended, including two district teachers who have been temporarily reassigned from classroom duties pending the outcome of an investigation into their conduct, the district said.

Des Plaines police said six juveniles were referred to family court following their investigation into the allegations. The department declined to offer details of the charges because all involved are minors, the Tribune said.

The family's lawsuit seeks unspecified financial compensation and an injunction stopping all hazing acts from taking place at the school.