Simi Valley Asst. Superintendent Jerry Block Accused of Ignoring Civil Rights of Sexual Assault Victim at SVHS

A devastating lawsuit filed in Ventura County Superior Court case number 2025CUCR054429, reveals shocking allegations against Simi Valley Unified School District and Assistant Superintendent Jerry Block, claiming they systematically failed to protect a teenage rape victim from severe harassment and bullying. The Simi Valley school lawsuit details how school officials allegedly demonstrated deliberate indifference to repeated reports of sexual harassment, ultimately forcing the victim's family to remove her from the district entirely.

The case centers on Jane Doe, a vulnerable student who had previously survived a brutal sexual assault by Alessandro Cotrufo, who was later convicted and sentenced to prison. Despite her parents alerting school officials to their daughter's traumatic background and need for protection, the lawsuit alleges that both the district and Assistant Superintendent Block failed to provide adequate safeguards, allowing a hostile environment to flourish that drove the victim to contemplate suicide.

This Simi Valley school district lawsuit represents more than an isolated incident of administrative negligence. It exposes what plaintiffs describe as systemic failures within the district's approach to student protection, particularly regarding vulnerable students who have already experienced trauma. The allegations paint a disturbing picture of institutional indifference that prioritized administrative convenience over student safety.

Background: A Vulnerable Student Seeking Safety

Jane Doe enrolled at Simi Valley High School in 2023 for her sophomore year, hoping for a fresh start after enduring repeated sexual assaults by Alessandro Cotrufo. The perpetrator had threatened to kill Jane and her family if she ever disclosed the abuse, telling her he had "32 victims" and was the "next Ted Bundy." Despite these threats, Jane courageously reported the crimes, leading to Cotrufo's arrest and eventual conviction.

Jane's parents proactively informed Simi Valley school district officials about their daughter's situation, the ongoing criminal case, and her special needs due to trauma recovery. The family hoped that transparency would help school administrators provide appropriate support and protection. Jane had undergone both inpatient and intensive outpatient treatment to address her trauma and had worked hard to reach a point where she could continue her education.

The lawsuit reveals that Jane initially found hope at Simi Valley High School. Despite some anxiety about starting at a new school, she was excited about the possibility of a fresh beginning. School had always been a source of enjoyment for Jane, and she looked forward to potentially running cross-country and participating in other extracurricular activities. Her first month proceeded without major incident, and she focused on her studies while hoping the school could become like a second family to her.

However, this period of relative stability would prove tragically short-lived as a pattern of harassment and administrative indifference began to emerge that would ultimately destroy Jane's educational experience and mental health.

Jerry Block's Role in Systematic Failures

Assistant Superintendent Jerry Block plays a central role in the allegations outlined in this Simi Valley school lawsuit. According to court documents, Block was directly involved in dismissing the family's concerns and failing to implement proper Title IX protections for Jane Doe. The lawsuit specifically alleges that when Jane's parents requested a Title IX investigation into the constant sexual harassment their daughter faced, Block told them that while they could fill out a Title IX form, "nothing was going to come of it as this was 'Not really a Title IX matter.'"

This statement from Block represents a fundamental misunderstanding or deliberate misrepresentation of Title IX requirements. Federal law clearly mandates that schools receiving federal funding must investigate reports of gender-based harassment that create a hostile educational environment. Block's dismissive response allegedly prevented the family from pursuing formal grievance procedures, leaving Jane without institutional protection.

The Simi Valley school district lawsuit further alleges that Block's approach reflected a broader pattern of institutional indifference within the district. Rather than taking proactive steps to protect a vulnerable student, Block and other administrators allegedly chose to minimize the severity of the harassment Jane faced. This administrative stance had devastating consequences for Jane's safety and educational experience.

Block's alleged failures extend beyond individual incidents to systemic policy deficiencies. The lawsuit claims that under his leadership, the district failed to maintain compliant Title IX policies, adequate grievance procedures, or proper staff training on handling harassment reports. These institutional failures created an environment where harassment could flourish unchecked, particularly affecting vulnerable students like Jane who desperately needed protection.

The legal implications of Block's alleged actions are significant. As a high-ranking district official, he bore responsibility for ensuring compliance with federal civil rights laws. His alleged dismissal of Title IX requirements and failure to protect Jane Doe could expose both him and the district to substantial liability under federal and state anti-discrimination laws.

Escalating Harassment and Administrative Indifference

The Simi Valley school lawsuit details a horrifying escalation of harassment that school officials allegedly ignored despite repeated reports from Jane and her parents. The pattern began with false rumors spread by a student identified as K.B., who claimed Jane had engaged in sexual activity during math class. This obviously fabricated story became the foundation for sustained verbal harassment, with students regularly calling Jane a "slut," "whore," "dyke," and other gender-based slurs.

The harassment reached a terrifying climax on February 8, 2024, when approximately fifteen male students, including K.B., physically surrounded Jane while she was at school. According to the lawsuit, these students began catcalling her, making explicit sexual references, asking if she wanted to have sex and participate in sexually explicit acts, moaning sexually at her, and K.B. expressed that he wanted to "sexually assault" her. Jane was trapped and physically afraid for her safety, ultimately forcing her way out of the circle by hitting K.B. in the shoulder to escape.

Jane immediately reported this incident to Vice Principal Annette Babakhanian and provided a detailed written report stating: "There is a guy with bleach buzzed hair that has been harassing me for weeks... He has asked me for a 'squirting contest' and has expressed his wants to 'sexually assault' me... I am feeling super threatened and targeted by him and its really scary to think of how obsessed he is with me, considering I have never met him in my life and have had no interactions with him besides the sexual harassments. I just want to feel safe on campus."

The Simi Valley school district's response to this serious incident reveals the depth of administrative failures alleged in the lawsuit. Rather than disciplining the fifteen male students who had surrounded and threatened Jane, school officials chose to discipline Jane herself, solely because she had struck one of the boys while attempting to escape. The school never interviewed the two uninvolved student witnesses to the incident, demonstrating a complete failure to conduct proper investigation procedures.

This pattern of victim-blaming continued throughout Jane's time at the school. When harassment incidents were reported, administrators appeared increasingly impatient with Jane's complaints, treating her as if she were responsible for causing the incidents rather than reporting serious misconduct. The lawsuit alleges that this approach reflected the district's systematic failure to understand and implement proper Title IX protections.

Are Asst. Superintendent Jerry Block and VP Annette Babakhanian are Responsible for Causing SVUSD Students to Have Suicidal Ideations?

The Simi Valley school lawsuit documents the severe psychological toll that the harassment and administrative indifference took on Jane Doe. The constant attacks at school, combined with the lack of institutional support, caused Jane's mental health to deteriorate rapidly. She began experiencing nightmares about the harassment she would face each day, and her depression and anxiety intensified to dangerous levels.

By December 2023, Jane had developed suicidal thoughts and even devised a plan for how she would end her life. On one particularly dark day, she posted an Instagram message saying goodbye to her friends and family and apologizing for what she was about to do. Only the quick intervention of a friend who alerted Jane's mother prevented a potential tragedy. Jane's mother rushed home to find her daughter alive but severely depressed and mentally fragile.

The harassment's impact on Jane's academic performance was equally devastating. Her ability to focus in classes, study effectively, and perform well on assignments and exams suffered significantly because of the constant harassment from peers and the Simi Valley school district's failure to provide support. The student who had once found joy in learning was now struggling to survive each school day.

Jane's therapist and psychiatrist both documented the connection between the hostile school environment and her deteriorating mental health. In May 2024, both professionals wrote that Jane needed to finish the school year at home due to "current stressors in the school environment." Her therapist specifically noted that Jane was "getting worse due to the school environment that has become increasingly hostile and triggering for [Jane,] which is worsening her symptoms."

The lawsuit reveals that Jane again became suicidal in May 2024, expressing these thoughts to her parents on May 9 and 10. The combination of ongoing harassment and institutional betrayal had pushed this young survivor to the breaking point. Her parents, faced with the choice between their daughter's safety and her education, made the difficult decision to homeschool her for the remainder of the semester before transferring her to a different district entirely.

Legal Implications and Title IX Violations

The Simi Valley school lawsuit raises serious questions about the district's compliance with federal civil rights laws, particularly Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX requires schools that receive federal funding to maintain educational environments free from sex-based discrimination and harassment. When schools have actual knowledge of harassment and respond with deliberate indifference, they face potential liability for civil rights violations.

The lawsuit alleges multiple specific violations of Title IX requirements. First, the district allegedly failed to conduct proper investigations into reports of sexual harassment despite having actual knowledge of ongoing incidents. Second, school officials allegedly failed to implement appropriate remedial measures to stop the harassment and prevent its recurrence. Third, the district allegedly retaliated against Jane for reporting harassment by disciplining her while failing to address the underlying misconduct.

Beyond Title IX violations, the Simi Valley school district lawsuit also alleges violations of California Education Code Section 220, which provides state-level protections against discrimination in educational institutions. California law requires schools to investigate reports of harassment and makes schools liable for deliberate indifference to such harassment. The state's Safe Place to Learn Act, also known as Seth's Law, requires specific anti-bullying policies and procedures that the lawsuit alleges the district failed to implement properly.

The legal standards for establishing liability in these cases require plaintiffs to demonstrate that school officials had actual knowledge of harassment and responded with deliberate indifference. The extensive documentation of reports made to school officials, combined with their alleged failure to take appropriate action, could provide strong evidence for establishing liability in this case.

The potential damages in this Simi Valley school lawsuit could be substantial, including compensation for Jane's emotional distress, educational harm, medical expenses, and the costs associated with transferring to a different school district. The case could also result in injunctive relief requiring the district to implement proper policies and procedures to protect future students.

Broader Implications for Educational Institutions

This Simi Valley school lawsuit highlights critical issues that extend far beyond the specific allegations against Jerry Block and the district. The case illustrates that incompetence may exist at Simi Valley Unified School District and that there may be institutional failures of SVUSD under the leadership of Superintendent Hani Youssef that have compounded the trauma experienced by students who have already survived serious crimes. When schools fail to provide appropriate protection and support, they risk re-traumatizing vulnerable students and creating additional barriers to their recovery and education.

The allegations in this case also demonstrate the importance of proper Title IX training and implementation at all levels of school administration. The lawsuit suggests that high-ranking officials like Assistant Superintendent Block may have lacked adequate understanding of federal civil rights requirements, leading to decisions that violated students' rights and exposed the district to legal liability.

The case raises questions about how Simi Valley schools and similar districts handle reports of harassment and discrimination. The lawsuit alleges that the district's policies were inadequate and difficult to access, creating barriers for students and families seeking to report misconduct. These systemic deficiencies suggest the need for comprehensive policy reform and enhanced training for school personnel.

For other school districts, this Simi Valley school district lawsuit serves as a warning about the serious consequences of failing to take harassment reports seriously. The legal and financial costs of defending against civil rights violations can be substantial, but the human costs of failing to protect students are immeasurable. Educational institutions must prioritize student safety and ensure compliance with all applicable civil rights laws.

The outcome of this case could influence how courts evaluate similar claims in the future and may encourage other families to pursue legal action when schools fail to protect their children from harassment and discrimination. The case also highlights the need for ongoing advocacy and reform to ensure that all students can access education in safe and supportive environments.

Conclusion: A Call for Accountability and Reform

The Simi Valley school lawsuit against the district and Assistant Superintendent Jerry Block represents more than a legal dispute over administrative failures. It stands as a stark reminder of what happens when educational institutions prioritize institutional protection over student welfare. Jane Doe's experience illustrates the devastating consequences that can result when schools fail to fulfill their basic obligation to provide safe learning environments for all students.

The allegations against Jerry Block and other district officials reveal systemic failures that allowed harassment to flourish unchecked, ultimately forcing a vulnerable student to abandon her education entirely. The case demonstrates how administrative indifference can compound existing trauma and create additional barriers to recovery for students who have already survived serious crimes.

As this Simi Valley school district lawsuit proceeds through the courts, it will likely influence how educational institutions across California and beyond approach their responsibilities under Title IX and other civil rights laws. The case serves as a powerful reminder that protecting students from harassment and discrimination is not optional but a fundamental legal and moral obligation that schools must take seriously.

For Jane Doe and her family, this legal action represents an opportunity to hold officials accountable for their alleged failures and potentially prevent similar situations from affecting other vulnerable students. The courage required to pursue this case, particularly given Jane's previous trauma, demonstrates the family's commitment to ensuring that no other student experiences the systematic failures that drove Jane from her school.

The broader educational community must learn from the failures of Jerry Block and Annette Babakhanian, as alleged in this case, and take proactive steps to ensure that all students, particularly those who have experienced trauma, receive the protection and support they deserve. Only through accountability, reform, and genuine commitment to student welfare can schools fulfill their promise to provide safe and supportive learning environments for every child.

Simi Valley Unified School District Superintendent Hani Youssef

SVUSD Asst. Principal Jerry Block

Annette Babakhanian

Excerpt from Case Accusing Asst. Superintendent Jerry Block of Misconduct