The Nebraska State College System will pay $900,000 to settle lawsuits accusing Chadron State College of failing to prevent dating violence that led to the suicide of softball player Fatima Lissette Larios in 2015.
The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Chadron State also will conduct annual suicide training for faculty, staff and students over the next decade, and ask a third-party consultant to review its Title IX policies and procedures once annually over the next three years.
A 2017 federal lawsuit filed by Lissette Roohbakhsh contended that her daughter was beaten and emotionally abused by her then-boyfriend for months, including during violent arguments in an on-campus residence hall room that could be heard by others.
Her parents' complaint alleged the college failed "to respond to reports of sexual violence or sex harassment and attend to the needs of the student involved."
The suit alleged Chadron State failed to offer Larios mental health counseling or a victim's advocate before she took her own life at age 19.
In addition to the $900,000 payment to Larios' family, Chadron State has agreed to establish the "Fatima Larios Spirit Scholarship," awarding financial aid to a member of the softball team each year for the next 10 years, and install and maintain a memorial on campus commemorating Larios' life for the next decade.
Saunie Schuster, an expert witness hired by the Larios' family, said Chadron State's lack of understanding of Title IX in depositions, coupled with Larios' suicide, likely played into what she described as an "unprecedented" settlement agreement.
