Honk News (New York City, NY) – A volleyball coach at a prestigious private school in New York City faces allegations of grooming and sexually assaulting a former student, as detailed in a recent court filing.
A 36-year-old woman, who previously attended The Ethical Culture Fieldston School in the Bronx, has initiated legal action against the school and her former varsity volleyball coach, Collin Henry. She alleges that Henry started grooming her during her junior year and began a sexual relationship with her once she turned 17.
A woman, who submitted her lawsuit anonymously as “Jane Doe” on February 20, claims that school staff were aware of the abuse but failed to take action to prevent it at the time.
The plaintiff alleges that the misconduct started in November 2004, when Henry took her, without supervision, from the Bronx to Queens twice a week for club volleyball practices. She remembered that Henry “intentionally blurred the lines between coach and student” with inappropriate jokes and personal anecdotes.
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A woman has reported that Henry’s actions intensified in May 2005. She alleges that he asked her to meet him in his car during school hours, where he purportedly stated, “the age of consent in New York is 17,” suggesting that he “wouldn’t go to jail” if he sought a sexual relationship with her.
Jane Doe expressed that she felt “confused and intimidated” at that moment, seeing Henry as an authority figure.
The lawsuit alleges that Henry continued to text and message Jane Doe during the summer between her junior and senior years, with his communications becoming increasingly sexually charged.
In August, as Jane Doe went back to school for pre-season training, it was reported that Henry took advantage of the situation by driving her home after practice, parking in her driveway, and kissing her on the mouth without her consent.
The lawsuit alleges that the supposed sexual assaults intensified during the plaintiff’s senior year, with Henry reportedly coaxing Jane Doe into silence by “making her feel special” and exerting his “power and influence over her.” The plaintiff claims that Henry sexually assaulted her multiple times without using a condom.
She alleges that Henry made threats during their relationship, often stating that she was “just as much a villain as he was” and warning her that revealing the abuse could jeopardize her college prospects.
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Jane Doe states that she eventually informed the school’s junior varsity coach, Lynford Foreman, about her ongoing relationship with Henry, but he took no action, leading her to include Foreman in her lawsuit.
She claims that her teammates were aware of rumors regarding her relationship with Henry and that it was obvious to the school’s athletic director, who she says just made jokes about it.
Jane Doe claims that the effects of the alleged ongoing abuse, which she states concluded in 2006, have significantly impacted her life, mental health, and career path. She states that she has faced depression, anxiety, and panic attacks due to her experience, which she says has had a significant effect on her self-esteem and overall quality of life.
The plaintiff has initiated her case under the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law and is requesting punitive damages.