A new investigation into alleged sexual abuse at an elite New York City private school has found that the abuse was more widespread than previously reported.
The Wall Street Journal reports the investigation into the Horace Mann School identified more than 60 former students who say they were abused from the 1960s through the 1990s. The report was compiled by a nonprofit group founded by alumni to address the scandal.
The new number of alleged victims is more than double the 25 cited in a 2013 report by the Bronx district attorney's office.
"The examples of abuse, the accounts of abuse, were far larger than anyone had imagined," said Peter Brooks with the Horace Mann Action Committee.
The committee identified 24 suspected abusers at the school, including former teachers, administrators, coaches and a headmaster. No charges have been filed because the investigation was not conducted by law enforcement.
Although the allegations first came to light a few years ago, the statute of limitations prevented prosecution. The committee's report suggests eliminating the statute of limitations and making it mandatory for private schools to report sex abuse allegations to the police. Currently, only public schools are required to report sex abuse.
"That loophole in the law has got to be fixed, and everyone should understand that reporting is mandatory," said former judge Leslie Crocker Snyder, who was hired to put the report together.
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The Bronx district attorney's office said the newly discovered cases lack credible evidence that would prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Horace Mann said in a statement Tuesday it would review the report to determine whether it contains any suggestions that would further strengthen child safety.
"We areconfident that our current policies and practices ensure a safe and secure environment for the students at Horace Mann school," the statement says.
The school previously announced a number of settlements with former students.
--Ida Siegal contributed to this report.
