Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen, R-Puyallup, and Rep. Michael Keaton, R-South Hill, have issued a joint statement regarding recent media coverage of the Puyallup School District.

A female high school student has alleged that she was a victim of a sexual assault by a biological male opponent during a December wrestling match.

Additionally, a group of female high school students recently said their school did not address their concerns about several biological males in the girls’ locker room.

In a joint statement, the lawmakers said:

“We are concerned about the safety and well-being of all children in our community.

“Children must be protected from harm, and any allegation that a child has been victimized must be treated with the utmost seriousness and care.

“School personnel are mandated reporters, which means they must, by law, immediately report suspected abuse or neglect of a child, including sexual abuse or injury, to the state.

“We have dedicated professionals in the school district who work hard every day to ensure their students are respected and safe, and that parents are kept informed.

“In light of these allegations, the school district must be completely open and accountable for anything that occurred and hold accountable anyone who intentionally failed to act or who covered up any allegations.

“Right now, we are seeing the impact of tremendously short-sighted legislation that, no matter how well intentioned, has put children at risk.

“This includes diluting the Parents’ Bill of Rights in the 2025 legislative session and failing to protect our girls.

“This year, we can restore parental rights and protect girls by considering two citizen-led initiatives that have been sent to the Legislature:

• Initiative IL26-001 reaffirms that parents are the primary stakeholders in their children’s upbringing.
• Initiative IL26-638 protects girls’ sports by prohibiting biological male students from competing with and against female students.

“If the Legislature does not act on the initiatives this legislative session, both will be put to the people for a vote.

“We will continue to provide support for all children in our district. We will also fight for legislation that gives every student the privacy and respect they deserve and to ensure parents are recognized as the most important stakeholders in the health and education of their children.”