The alleged abuse occurred between 2004 and 2006 at an elite school in the Bronx
A volleyball coach at an elite New York City private school has been accused of grooming and sexually assaulting a former student, according to a recent court filing.
A 36-year-old woman and former student at The Ethical Culture Fieldston School in the Bronx has filed a lawsuit against the school and her former varsity volleyball coach, Collin Henry, claiming that Henry began grooming her during her junior year and initiated a regular sexual relationship with her when she turned 17.
The woman -- who filed the suit anonymously under the name "Jane Doe" on Feb. 20 -- also alleges that staff members at the school knew about the abuse and did nothing to stop it at the time.
In the filing, the plaintiff claims that the inappropriate behavior began in November 2004, when Henry drove her, unsupervised, from the Bronx to Queens twice a week for club volleyball practices. She recalled that Henry "deliberately eroded the boundaries between coach and student" with sexual jokes and personal stories.
The woman claims that Henry's behavior escalated in May 2005, when he allegedly instructed her to meet him in his car during the school day, at which time he allegedly told her that "the age of consent in New York is 17" and therefore he "wouldn't go to jail" if he pursued a sexual relationship with her.
Jane Doe states that she felt "confused and intimidated" in that moment, as she viewed Henry as an authority figure.
The lawsuit goes on to claim that Henry proceeded to text and message Jane Doe throughout the summer between her junior and senior years, and that his "communications became more sexually charged."
When Jane Doe returned to school in August for pre-season training, Henry allegedly "strategically seized the opportunity: he drove her home after practice, parked in her driveway and kissed her on her mouth without her consent."
The suit claims that the alleged sexual assaults continued to escalate during the plaintiff's senior year, and that Henry lured Jane Doe into silence by "making her feel special" and by enforcing his "power and influence over her." The plaintiff also alleges that Henry raped her without a condom on a number of occasions.
She also claims that Henry threatened her throughout the relationship, repeatedly telling her that she was "just as much a villain as he was" and that if she told anyone about the abuse, she could potentially destroy her chances at a college career.
Jane Doe claims that she eventually told the school's junior varsity coach, Lynford Foreman, about her ongoing relationship with Henry, but he did nothing, and as such, she has included Foreman in her lawsuit.
She further alleges that there were known rumors about her illicit relationship with Henry among her teammates and that it was in "plain view" of the school's athletic director, whom she says merely joked about it.
Jane Doe asserts that the impact of the alleged ongoing abuse, which she says ultimately ended in 2006, has had severe and lasting effects on her life, mental health and career trajectory. She claims she has experienced depression, anxiety and panic attacks as a direct result of her experience and that it had a "devastating impact" on her self-esteem and quality of life.
The plaintiff has filed her suit under the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law and is seeking punitive damages.
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In July 2024, the woman filed a complaint with her former school detailing the abuse, and an email was sent out informing the school community that Henry's employment had been "terminated" due to "misconduct" in August 2024. However, the suit also alleges that the details of Henry's misconduct were intentionally obscured to parents and students and that Henry's history of alleged sexual abuse was not mentioned.
In a statement to PEOPLE, a representative from The Ethical Culture Fieldston School said that the school denies "any assertion that we mishandled these allegations and will vigorously defend the school."
"The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority, and ECFS acted quickly and appropriately to address this issue as soon as a concern was raised. Prior to this, the school had never received any complaints regarding inappropriate behavior by this individual," the statement added.
PEOPLE reached out to the plaintiff's attorneys for comment on Sunday, Feb. 23, but did not receive an immediate response. It is not immediately clear if Henry and Foreman have legal representation to comment on their behalf.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.