Back to School: Sex Abuse in Education

Going back to school is a time of excitement for some and dread for others. After the sweet freedom of summer, returning to the fluorescent halls of a school can feel like an unwanted burden. For some children though, it’s more than just wanting to avoid sitting in classrooms all day. Schools are places of learning and safety, but sometimes things are not always what they seem. Every week there seems to be a news report on yet another teacher grooming, sexually abusing, or sexually assaulting a student.

Now, it is incredibly important for us at Gillispie Law Firm to stress that not every teacher, or even most teachers, are predators; but they are out there. Even this year, an Arkansas high school teacher plead guilty in federal court for transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of unlawful sexual activity and was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Our job as parents is to protect our children from the worst. We spend hours worrying over who our children make friends with and who they interact with. Working tirelessly to ensure their needs are being met and that they feel loved. Doing everything we can to make sure they have access to the best school districts and educators. Despite this, however, 10% of public school students report being sexually abused by a school employee.

Back to School Safety Tips:

• Your child should never have their teacher’s direct phone number. The teacher should be communicating via the school’s messaging feature or in meetings at the school.
  • Your child’s teacher can and often will contact your via phone or email, but that will be from a school phone or email account.
• You should be in charge of any after school activity or tutoring. Your child’s teacher should reach out to you for scheduling.
• If your child participates in sports, be present for as many practices as possible. If there are late night or early morning practices, make time to be there.
  • If your child comes to you and says there is an ‘emergency’ practice late at night, contact the coach in charge for clarification. Your child and their coach should not spend considerable one on one time together without supervision.