In the fall of 2020, the Thacher Board of Trustees convened a special committee in response to allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse, and harassment involving members of the Thacher community.
The Board in turn hired Munger, Tolles, and Olson (MTO) to conduct an independent investigation into these allegations, and in June of 2021 MTO's initial report was released to the community and public.
Following the release of the June report, MTO continued their investigation, receiving additional reports and preparing a supplemental report. However, in December 2021, Ventura County law enforcement authorities requested that MTO postpone completion and Thacher delay release of the supplemental report while they conducted their own investigations. In February 2023, with the go-ahead from law enforcement, the School shared MTO’s completed supplemental report, linked below.
For more information on both reports, please refer to the supporting documents on this page.
Following the release of the June report, MTO continued their investigation, receiving additional reports and preparing a supplemental report. However, in December 2021, Ventura County law enforcement authorities requested that MTO postpone completion and Thacher delay release of the supplemental report while they conducted their own investigations. In February 2023, with the go-ahead from law enforcement, the School shared MTO’s completed supplemental report, linked below.
For more information on both reports, please refer to the supporting documents on this page.
Funded Therapeutic Support
In partnership with the Thacher administration, the board of trustees created a support fund to provide assistance with therapy related to the trauma of sexual misconduct experienced during a student's time at Thacher. The fund is confidentially and independently managed and operated by RAINN, the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the U.S., and by an independent third-party claims administrator. Neither RAINN nor the third-party claims administrator will share any personally identifying information of those accessing the fund with the School or with Thacher's Board of Trustees. Alumni who wish to access these services are encouraged to call RAINN directly through either the toll-free hotline at 844-908-4224 or the local number for international callers at 805-243-1692.
First MTO Report and Accompanying Materials
Click here to download the first MTO report, released in June 2021.
Click here to read the board conclusions reached from the initial report.
Click here to read the corrective actions recommended in conjunction with the first report.
Click here to read the board conclusions reached from the initial report.
Click here to read the corrective actions recommended in conjunction with the first report.
Student Safety and Well-Being
For information on the steps that Thacher has taken to enhance student safety and well-being, click here.
Contact an Investigator
We encourage anyone who wishes to report an experience of sexual misconduct or harassment to do so.
Liz DeChellis/Van Dermyden Makus
lad@vmlawcorp.com
800-515-2594
Liz DeChellis/Van Dermyden Makus
lad@vmlawcorp.com
800-515-2594
Contact the Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Anyone with information related to allegations of sexual misconduct at Thacher may contact Ryan Clark of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office at (805) 384-4721. Click here to read a press release from the Sheriff's Office.
In addition, the Ventura County Family Justice Center is available to assist all those who have been impacted by these painful events. The VCFJC is a collaborative community response to domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, human trafficking, hate crime and other violent crimes. All services are free of charge, confidential, and available whether you have reported to law enforcement or not. The VCFJC can be reached at (805) 652-7655. Click here to read a press release from the Ventura County District Attorney describing the services available from the VCFJC.
In addition, the Ventura County Family Justice Center is available to assist all those who have been impacted by these painful events. The VCFJC is a collaborative community response to domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, human trafficking, hate crime and other violent crimes. All services are free of charge, confidential, and available whether you have reported to law enforcement or not. The VCFJC can be reached at (805) 652-7655. Click here to read a press release from the Ventura County District Attorney describing the services available from the VCFJC.
Support Resources
- Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN): rainn.org
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center: www.nsvrc.org
- Ventura County Family Justice Center: 805 652 7655 / vcfjc.org
A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.