BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The family and attorney of a Viera High School football player who claims he was a victim of hazing voiced their outrage Wednesday, and are looking for accountability.

What You Need To Know

  • The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office says a hazing incident happened at Viera High School on Aug. 14 but wasn’t reported until two days later 

  • Investigators haven’t released specific details about the incident

  • The school’s varsity and and junior-varsity football teams were suspended from play for a week and a half, but that suspension was eventually lifted

  • Brevard Public Schools announced all athletes and coaches throughout the school district will, effective immediately, be required to complete a hazing prevention course administered by the National Federation of High Schools

The family is calling for criminal charges for the students involved. They also say their child was sexually assaulted in this hazing incident.

“I’m just frustrated and angry by this whole, you know, situation and how it just seems like everybody is going on with their life besides my son," said Harry E. Taylor, father of the alleged hazing victim. "You know, he can’t do regular things that he would normally do, and it's just, I don't know, difficult to process.”

Lawyers say video of the alleged sexual assault and hazing were posted on social media.

The Brevard County school district says they are still conducting an internal investigation and that findings by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office have been turned over the office of the State Attorney:

"It is our understanding that the Sheriff’s Office has submitted their investigative findings to the office of the State Attorney. Our internal investigation by HR is ongoing. The students that were involved have already been disciplined. With that being said, we will reserve further comment until all investigations are completed.” — Russell Bruhn, Chief Strategic Communications Officer of Brevard Public Schools

The press conference happened just after Brevard Public Schools announced a hazing prevention initiative.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office says a hazing incident happened at Viera High School on Aug. 14 but wasn’t reported until Aug. 16.  

Investigators haven’t released specific details about the incident. The school’s varsity and junior-varsity football teams were suspended from play for a week and a half, but that suspension was eventually lifted.

Brevard County School Board Chair Matt Susin said on Aug. 21 that the Viera High School varsity football coach was relieved of his duties as coach, but remained employed as a physical education teacher. There’s no indication of any charges against any students.

Brevard Public Schools announced all student athletes and coaches throughout the school district will, effective immediately, be required to complete a hazing prevention course administered by the National Federation of High Schools. 

The course addresses bullying, hazing and inappropriate behaviors, and will have to be completed each year.

Spectrum News also reached out to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office for an incident report.