Public High School Closes Gender-Neutral Bathroom After Student Sexual Assault

An 18-year-old male was charged with fourth-degree sexual assault and exposing himself to a child.
By Doug Mainwaring
LifeSite
Mar. 06, 2020

A Wisconsin high school closed its gender-neutral student bathroom after an 18-year-old male allegedly sexually assaulted another student.

The 18-year-old, Austin Sauer, was arrested for child enticement, fourth-degree sexual assault, and exposing genitals to a child in the designated gender-neutral bathroom of Rhinelander High School, according to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.

Sauer, who has not yet been charged, was released on a $1,500 bond and is due to appear in court in April, according to multiple media outlets.

In order to accommodate transgender or “gender expansive” students, late last year the school refitted a boys restroom, converting it into a gender-neutral facility. The move was seen as an easy, cost-effective way to deal with the issue.

However, the gender-neutral space invites mixed-gender use, creating new opportunities for sexual assault not available in single-sex restrooms.

Read More