How would you feel?

Published on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 12:14 PM MST

To the Editor:

I am the girl whose story you published as “Court Rules Strip Search Not Violation of Rights.” Let me first of all say I am not angry that the article was published. I am, however, offended by the way the article makes it seem as though I were some kind of troublemaker.

When I was in middle school, I was a very shy and awkward kid, but I almost always made the honor roll and had never even been in detention. I’m not going to go into detail about what was said and done leading up to my traumatic experience because that would only complicate what I’m trying to accomplish with this letter.

First, I can understand how the school would want to keep the students safe by keeping drugs out, but to me, just because two students say it, doesn’t mean it is true; that does not count as reasonable grounds for a strip search in my mind.

Second, even if a school has real reasonable grounds and thought it best to search the student’s person, then it should at least call in the mother or the police to do it. The school did not give me that luxury. Instead, the vice principal instructed me to follow the nurse and the secretary to the nurse’s office.

Once there, the nurse and secretary had me undress in front of them. While I was staring at the floor, embarrassed and ashamed, they were searching every seam, every crease, even a hole in my shoe. You already published the most humiliating part, so for my own sake I will not repeat it.

After I was allowed to put my clothes back on, I was made to sit in a chair in the office for more than two hours. I kept asking them when I could call my mom or even just get out of there so I wouldn’t have to look either of those women in the eyes. Nobody would tell me anything.

That day, I had an essay due, so when they finally let me go, I called my mom to let her know I would be a little late so she would have to pick me up from school because I wouldn’t make the bus. I wanted badly to tell her what had just happened, but I looked up to find the secretary looking at me as if daring me to say something. Shameful, I said nothing. When my mom pulled up to get me, I was still in the library, so she learned from one of my friends what had happened.

Some people have asked me, “Why did you let them do that to you?” And it has been eating at me for years. I was in counseling for a while, but it didn’t help. I kept blaming myself. If only I had refused, what would have happened? I didn’t know I could refuse; I thought they were allowed to do it. I was only 13, and I had never been in trouble for anything before. I thought that if I refused, they would think I did have drugs and I would be in worse trouble.

So let me just end by asking one question: How would you feel? How would you feel if you were one day called into the office of your school or workplace, put into a room with two people you see every weekday and told to remove your clothes and show your body to them? Or even as a parent, how would you feel if you showed up one day to pick up your daughter or son (who had never been in any kind of trouble) from school and one of his or her friends told you your child was instructed to expose himself or herself to these school officials because two other students claimed that your child had brought ibuprofen to school?

These people may not have physically harmed me, but I feel violated and hurt just the same, and I don’t believe they should have the right to walk around unaffected, knowing they got away with it.

Name withheld by request

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Comments

22 comment(s)

donnie redding wrote on Apr 5, 2008 7:27 PM:

" i am savana,s uncle and i attended sms and the school has gotten away with alot in the past because its a small town they think they can do what they want too hopefully no longer....... savana i love u baby hold ur head up and aim for the chin. "

John C. Randolph wrote on Mar 4, 2008 3:06 AM:

" There are three people who belong behind bars, and then the sex-offenders' registry for the rest of their lives. What these people did was not merely "overstepping" their authority, it was a crime. People in your state should be picketing your local DA and demanding prosecution.

If I were on a jury in a case where a parent told us that he'd beaten a bureaucrat unconscious for strip-searching a child like this, I'd not only vote to acquit him, I'd demand that my fellow jurors thank him for his service to the community.

-jcr "

anothervictimatchildhood wrote on Mar 3, 2008 10:17 PM:

" When I read this post, I was furious. I had a similar crime commited against me when I was a child. It has taken me years to get over it. I hope you hold your head high, and realize that none of this is/was your fault in any way. It is the fault of the adults. If I were you, I would write a web page, with everyones names, places, dates, pictures, and what exactly happened (yes I know this is embarrassing, but details are necessary to show guilt). I think they all should be arrested for for sexual assault. "

Curious George wrote on Nov 14, 2007 9:24 AM:

" First let me say that the nurse and secretary were following orders (we've heard that before) WARNING: To all parents who might have children at the Safford Middle School. The Vice Principal is a School Nazi with absolutely no compassion for his students. The only way to change this is to replace those members of the School Board who allow this tyranny to be conducted against our children. "

Annie wrote on Oct 24, 2007 7:02 AM:

" Savana - You are obviously an extremely intelligent young woman that will go far. Keep speaking up, complaining and letting people know your story. And never doubt your ability to stand up for your rights - as you've done. I'm sorry you had to go through this. The Supreme Court sucks in this decision. Keep persevering. "

Honjii wrote on Oct 20, 2007 5:23 PM:

" To the Safford School nurse and secretary: I wonder how you were able to get jobs working with children when you are clearly individuals capable of committing such an egregious violation of a child. I, like the other commenters, would admonish you to be ashamed, but it's obvious if you possessed the sense to be ashamed you would not have exhibited the gross stupidity that started this ugly business in the first place. Here's hoping next time you fly you both are strip searched. Can't think of more appropriate Karma. "

Tammy in Iowa wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:58 PM:

" I am a Nursing Student and was shocked that the nurse did'nt stand up to be your ADVOCATE. That is part of being a nurse "SPEAKING UP FOR THE PATIENT" in this case, an innocent 13 year old girl. The school should have called your mother, the police should have been involved if the school suspected drugs. Stand with your head held high. It was not your fault and you did NOTHING wrong. Hopefully you can become stronger because of this situation and possibly help others who might have indured something similar. "

TX Girl wrote on Oct 16, 2007 8:40 PM:

" What a violation of rights! I agree that you're very brave to speak up. If the courts won't listen, take this to the media! "

Miss Vana wrote on Oct 16, 2007 10:19 AM:

" Thanks to everyone who posted a comment, it makes me feel a lot better to get it off my chest. Im not sure whats going to happen next but i feel a lot better going into it with the support of all f you "

Missy wrote on Oct 15, 2007 6:50 PM:

" I CAN NOT believe this! I am so sorry you had to go through something like this, Shame on you, DIRTY SECRETARY & NURSE! Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to, and the power to do something like that? You take this to the top, do not stop till the end. Keep your head high and live life to the fullest, Thank you for sharing your story with us because i have children and this is something all parents need to share with their children so they no what to watch out for at school! "

Former valley girl wrote on Oct 14, 2007 8:36 PM:

" You are supported. Your story reminds me why we got the heck out of that valley! Hold your head up high and know that you have supporters from all over the country. Use this horrible experience to motivate you to make a difference. Perhaps law school is in your future? Best of luck to you. "

I wish I were a bryce wrote on Oct 12, 2007 6:37 PM:

" If only her last name were Bryce not of this would of happened they are above the law. She could have swindled an old man out of everything and "if" there were drugs involved nothing but a please don't do that again Brother Bryce! "

Mike wrote on Oct 12, 2007 1:39 PM:

" This is what happens when zero tolerance policies are imposed. Common sense flies out the window. If the school needs to get parents permission to issue an asprin, What in the world makes them think they can strip search a child, any child. Hopefully, you will be able to use your experience to open the minds and eyes of education leaders so that this will never happen to another student anywhere. "

Mike Ulibarri wrote on Oct 12, 2007 10:36 AM:

" It isn�t enough for society to keep clearing the spider webs you MUST kill the spider.Our society suffers today because so many people shrug their shoulders and move on only to have their neighbor victimized in the same way. The Brady bill threatened our Second Amendment. One person was concerned enough to take it to a higher court and as a result the Brady bill was defeated. (Thank you �Sheriff� Mac). If we continue to look the other way all of us will pay dearly with the loss of our freedoms Find your catharsis in fighting this �law�. "

small town mentality wrote on Oct 12, 2007 10:13 AM:

" Shame on Safford schools. Shame on the nurse and secretary that took part. It doesn't matter that the court upheld the search, it was wrong. I'm a former student of Safford Middle school and I'm ashamed. We read everyday about bullies in the school system, I always thought they were talking about students, now I know differently. The girl was only 13. Shame on you. "

Myles Johnson wrote on Oct 11, 2007 6:30 PM:

" shame shame on the school officials 13 a minor why wasn't her parents called. Poor judicial decision "

Susie wrote on Oct 11, 2007 5:40 PM:

" (First post)I am proud of you for speaking up! I have been very angry at the school's decision to do that to you, and then to have the court say what they did was ok! I felt that making you unclothe was very inappropriate! The way it should have been handled was to call your Mom or Dad, etc... then, with parental cooperation, maybe the ibuprofen could have been turned over. But not the way they did to you. I felt the school's representatives were very overzealous to ask you to remove your clothes. "

annoyed wrote on Oct 11, 2007 2:12 PM:

" I'm sorry to hear that justice is once again blind in Graham County, however, I can't say that I am surprised. Any one who grew up in Safford, or the state of Arizona for that matter knows who protects who. There is no doubt in my mind that this was not a case of possible drug concealment, but a case of who sees who on Sunday. Remember that we have a United States Supreme Court, and if this were me, I wouldn't stop until I got there. "

Sushma wrote on Oct 10, 2007 11:19 PM:

" Its very very bad to insult a child in this way.. As a parent or as the child experiencing all these, i would surely object what has happened. These experiences leave scary memories in the young minds and they loose confidence in everything they do. They stop believing people. School authorities should be fined severely regarding such issues. "

Mike wrote on Oct 10, 2007 3:10 PM:

" Amen Sister!! Just because something is deemed legal by the courts doesn't mean it is right. Sorry you had to go through that. Best of luck as you try to put this behind you now. "

Susie wrote on Oct 10, 2007 2:42 PM:

" Continued from previous post.... Having you do that was way beyond their decision-making permission; as far as I'm concerned. It was very inappropriate, overly intrusive, presumptuous, and traumatizing. Even if you were a trouble-maker, it would still have been wrong! Even if they felt you were breaking the rules, it was only Ibuprofen. You didn't have a gun, knife, or other dangerous drug. I never felt from what I read that you were a troubled student. I always sensed that what happened was the wrongs of the school. Shame on the court and the school! "

reptilist wrote on Oct 10, 2007 1:09 PM:

" Thank you for writing this! What you have written here helps me to understand the depth of indignity forced upon you. Were you my daughter, I would have been extremely irate too! And I can well imagine the secretary's 'look' you described... My advice now is to hold your head up high and put it behind you. Rise above it and use the experience to make yourself a better, stronger person. "

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