Report: Family of victim in Viera (Florida) football hazing investigation considering lawsuit

Per a report by Fox 35 Orlando, the victim has transferred schools since the alleged hazing incident

VIERA, FLORIDA - The football season may have resumed for the Viera Hawks last week, but according to a report by Fox 35 Orlando, the allegations of hazing that occurred a couple weeks ago are far from resolved. 

According to the report released on Monday evening, the victim, a freshman, has transferred schools and the family is now considering a lawsuit against Brevard County School District for negligence. 

"Our son was hazed. He was sexually assaulted. They don't want to address that. They don't want to address the cyberbullying that has taken place. They just don't want to do it," Avanese Taylor, mother of the victim, said at a press conference according to the report. 

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Related: Viera football season opener postponed as hazing investigation continues

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The alleged hazing incident went viral via a video that was released, according to a report by Florida Today's J.D. Gallop. Per the report, video clips of the incident were released and went viral on the internet, showing students laughing and jostling with uniformed players on the floor, attempting to pull the bottoms back from one athlete. Other teammates stood around cheering as some players appeared atop of the players thrusting and simulating sexual acts as condom packages were thrown on the floor.

Brevard School Board District 3's Jennifer Jenkins called for the cancellation of the team's season in a statement issued via social media when news of the incident were made known. 

In light of the incident, the Brevard County Sherriff's Office announced that it had opened a criminal investigation into the matter. No further details have emerged per the Fox 35 report and the family claims little has been said by anyone at the district level. 

The family is still working with Brevard County detectives in hopes charges are filed against the students involved with the hazing allegations. They are also hoping for more answers in regards to the situation from Brevard County superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell. 

The team missed out on their season opener against South Fork, but took to the field in Week 2 against Satellite. Viera fell, 29-28, and this week is scheduled face Rockledge at home. 

Though the season has been gone forward, not much has happened with the investigation. Taylor said in the report that her son is going through counseling and they feel his school year could be shattered because of the ordeal. 

"Now, he's scarred, not sure if he ever wants to go back into a locker room again," Taylor also added. "I'm just frustrated and angry about this whole situation and how it seems like everybody is going on with their life besides my son. We have had to do too much leg work just to get nothing. I have no answers. We have no answers."

Hazing is actually against the law in Florida and is defined as any activity that abuses, endangers, degrades, or humiliates a person, without regard to a person’s willingness to engage in such activities. Prohibited by Florida Statutes § 1006.63, hazing also includes:

• Coercing an individual into violating state or federal laws
• Physical abuse (whipping, beating, branding)
• Forcing a student to consume food, alcohol, drugs or other substances
• Forcing a student to participate in any physical activity that could lead to harm to the health and safety of a student that could cause extreme mental or physical distress (i.e., sleep deprivation)
• Forcing a student to participate in conduct that could cause extreme embarrassment

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl