Former high school student who was raped repeatedly by her Math teacher wins $49m compensation
"Speak out now. It's never too late. Don't be afraid," the girl said.
A former high school student, who was repeatedly raped by her geometry teacher, has been awarded $49.3m (£41.8m) as compensation by a Florida jury.
The Miami-Dade civil court jury on Tuesday (14 November) ordered Bresnniel Jansen Mones to pay $13,906 for the girl's past medical expenses; $255,000 for her future medical expenses; $4million for past mental anguish, pain and suffering; and $15million for future mental anguish, pain and suffering.
The jury also awarded the victim $30m in punitive damages. The girl settled separately with the school district for an undisclosed amount, The Daily Mail reported.
Mones had raped the girl in 2013 and according to Miami's Leighton Law firm, the "horrible acts" began when the victim was a 16-year-old sophomore and Jansen carried out "a semester's worth of abuse."
His behaviour escalated from emails and texts to raping the teen on his desk during school hours, the law firm, who represented the victim known in court documents as CRR, told NBC News.
A lawsuit filed against Mones in December 2014 stated: "While acting as her teacher, between September and December of 2013, Jansen sexually abused [the victim] on numerous occasions by engaging in oral sex and digital penetration of her vagina."
In 2014, Mones was arrested and charged with two counts of sexual act with a familial child and one count of electronic transmission harmful to minors. When he pleaded guilty to those charges, he was given six months in prison and ten years' probation after his release. He is currently registered as a sex offender.
The settlement comes at a time when a number of women have come forward to speak against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein who is facing allegations of sexual harassment and assaults.
Attorney John Leighton said, "Especially in light of the national spotlight on this very subject, it is important for victims of sexual abuse to have their day in court. This verdict will send a message, especially where abusers and rapists take advantage of the criminal justice system. No longer will our client be the hunted victim."
The victim of classroom rape also urged others to speak out. Talking about her horrible experience, the young woman said: "I was raped by my geometry professor. I was 16 years old at the time, and he had complete control over me.
"I try not thinking about it and I don't speak of it unless I have to face a certain situation. But other than that I try and go about my normal day."
"It's crazy to see how often this goes on in the world and even though so many people keep coming out, it's still going on. Speak out now. It's never too late. Don't be afraid. There are people rooting for you," she added.
