Morehouse College, one of the few remaining traditional HBCU men’s liberal arts colleges in the United States, is dealing with a gay sex scandal that will likely have major repercussions.
It all started last week when 20-year-old Michael Key posted a heartbreaking video to his Twitter page alleging sexual misconduct by a male faculty member that went unaddressed by the school for over a year and a half.
In the video, Key detailed alleged abuse he suffered at the hands of Morehouse’s Director of Housing and Residential Education, Demarcus Crews, that included inappropriate comments, invasive questions, and unwanted touching.
When he and his parents contacted the school’s Title IX director, Key claimed nothing was ever done about it.
“I know there are other students who have experienced some type of sh*t from Demarcus Crews,” he said in the video. “So I just really need you all to be by my side on this and get Morehouse to hear me because I’m tired.”
Now, Key has lawyered up.
During a press conference yesterday, attorney Tiffany M. Simmons said that, in addition Key, she has been contacted by two more students within the last 48 hours with similar allegations of sexual misconduct at the hands of Morehouse administrators and staff.
“This is a disgrace that Morehouse has allowed this to happen not only to my client, but to other clients in similar situations,” Simmons told reporters yesterday. “We want change, because this has happened too many times to my client, and other students.”
Key says that, despite his repeated efforts to contact them, school officials didn’t reach out to him until after his Twitter posts went viral last week. Now, Simmons says, they’ll have to go through her if they want to speak to him.
“Morehouse, at this time, is choosing image over students,” Simmons said, “and that is not acceptable. They should be held accountable.”
In a statement, the school said Crews has been put on leave while the situation was investigated and that the school is “expanding its sexual misconduct investigation to include the examination of new complaints filed against additional employees.”
Related: Multiple male Morehouse College students post videos to Twitter alleging sexual abuse by staff
Josh447
As a victim of sexual abuse, my abuser didn’t flinch until I lawyered up. That’s what gets the attention. Now he is flipping out, a total emotional wreck as his 5 star public reputation and most likely his hefty bank account, get drained to the max.
To anyone who is experiencing sex abuse and wonder about going legal, get a lawyer (Google it) immediately and the police if applicable. It’s not something you can settle yourself. 95%of all abusers never admit their fault. Even during litigation.
Josh447
Seems like Morehouse would be more appropriately named MoHo College.
notasjw
“Heartbreaking video” ? Lol sure Jan, no one believes you are heartbroken over a guy hitting on you!
Josh447
Hey clueless. He didn’t say nor did anyone say he was heartbroken about anything.
matt2414
What a disgusting, inappropriate and perhaps even a bit homophobic headline. “Gay sex abuse scandal”? It’s a sex abuse scandal, period. No one says gay jay-walking, gay robbery, gay blackmail or gay murder, do they? Or how about heterosexual sex abuse scandal or even straight sex abuse scandal? That’s ridiculous. Call the crime what it is without adding a sexual orientation to it. Geez, take a journalism class.
kiriakis1
This is Queerty, the site that should come with a lowered expectations disclaimer.
Jboo
I gay disapprove of your comment. #AlltheGay
AnnMarie
Let’s call it what it really is, MOLESTATION, in the case of minors. It can continue being called that even when the boys are over 18 if it started before they were 18. GAY has nothing to do with it!!!
Jboo
@AnnMarie: Gaylestation *snap*
Jboo
As a future lawyer, I endorse this. LAWYER UP PEOPLE!
Kangol2
Didn’t Crews resign? Also, as a Dean-level employee, he’s in a position of power over ALL the students, so any flirtation, sexual approaches, sexual relationship, etc. as well as sexual assault, is potentially actionable from a legal standpoint, isn’t it?