The stories surrounding the alleged incidents are quiet now because of an apparent order of silence issued by an Allegheny County Juvenile Court judge. That gag order would prohibit the police, alleged victims and parents of alleged victims, attorneys or anyone else connected with the case to make any information public that they know about the case.

The alleged crime on what may be four or more victims has sparked alarm in the community. Parents are justifiably concerned about the safety of their children especially since there are allegations that some of the incidents occurred within the school.

If a suppression order is in place, officials may never reveal whether there are more victims that have come forward, as occurred a week after the original charges were filed. These worried parents and neighbors may not know whether the alleged perpetrator is released from a juvenile detention center. We may never learn whether the accused will be tried as an adult or will have his case remain in juvenile court.

These are serious allegations about serious crimes. Rape is a violent crime about power and control. It is frightening and emotionally traumatizes victims for years. It carries with it a stigma that is long-lasting.

School officials have tried to pacify parental fears by increasing and improving security measures. They're even looking into organizing a self-defense class.

Who, at this point, is helping the alleged victims? It is certainly not the court system which has again victimized these young girls and allegedly their families by denying them the power to speak out.

If this young man is innocent, let the public know it by sharing information. If these allegations are false, that, too, should be made known. That, though, is difficult when our courts have allegedly decided to conduct their business behind closed doors.

Rumors abound when a veil of secrecy permeates a situation. Instead, the public should be permitted to learn information about this case which is correct and truthful. It is time to lift this censorship and allow public information to be made public as well as let those who want to talk, talk.