Milwaukee school employee sexually harassed student; lawsuit filed

MILWAUKEE – An employee at St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School was convicted of sexual assault in 2016.

Years later, a lawsuit is pending for $20 million.

Former employee convicted of having sex with teen, now victim hopes to inspire other sexual assault victims to use their voices

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It’s something 24-year-old Josiah Strong still has trouble putting into words. This is the first time he’s spoken publicly about the sexual assault he experienced years ago.

“I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone,” he said. “I’ve spent the last eight years trying to learn how to get my voice back.”

On Tuesday, July 2, Strong and his attorney announced a $20 million lawsuit.

They are suing St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School, its former athletic director Elizabeth Dillet, and the school’s parent school network, Lutheran Urban Mission Initiative, Inc. (LUMIN Schools).

Background to the case

In 2016, Dillet was convicted of sexual assault of a child by a person who works with children or volunteers. Prosecutors say Dillet, who was 31 at the time, had sex with Strong when he was 14.

Dillett pleaded guilty to two felony charges: two counts of sexual assault of a child by a person working or volunteering with children. Six other charges were dismissed.

“We filed a Title IX lawsuit against the school that supported us for what we believe is inaction when the school had the opportunity to address these issues,” attorney B’Ivory LaMarr said.

The lawsuit alleges school administrators made several mistakes. It alleges they failed to take action after a parent reported inappropriate behavior he observed between Dillet and Strong.

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“The school still hasn’t done anything, despite that notice,” LaMarr said. “All the counseling he had to go through to get to the bottom of it and be able to talk about it.”

St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School is part of LUMIN, but LUMIN told FOX6 News the school was not part of the network until 2020, several years after the sexual assault occurred.

“We’re in a religious school,” said Strong’s mother, Sara Strong. “Nobody has contacted me, except the principal. Nobody in the administration, not even the pastor.”

Strong’s attorney said the lawsuit was filed only now because it took Strong years to understand what happened and speak openly about it.

“I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone,” Strong said.