Families and communities entrust those most precious to them–their children–to their schools. Schools are responsible for educating kids and preparing them for productive futures in a safe environment. While the administration, faculty, and staff of many schools fulfill this responsibility, there are still too many incidents of failure, specifically through educator sexual misconduct. Sexual educator misconduct is an act of betrayal–a violent, emotional, and sometimes physical offense.
White Law PLLC can help victims of educator sexual misconduct get justice. A Michigan school sexual abuse lawyer from our team will work aggressively to hold victimizers accountable for the damage they cause. As a full-service law firm, we provide legal advice and will guide you to resources to help you through the healing process. That said, it is better to stop sexual abusers in their tracks before any significant damage is done, making it critical to recognize the warning signs of educator sexual misconduct.
Sobering Statistics on Educator Sexual Misconduct
Sexual misconduct has no place in education–or in society overall. And yet, in recent years, story after story has emerged of abuses that occurred decades ago before anyone talked about such horrors. As these stories have come to light, present-day experiences continue to emerge.
Statistics from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights report the occurrence of 13,799 events of sexual violence during a recent year, a number demonstrating a 43% increase from the year prior. Over the same recent year, 13,114 occurrences of sexual assault were reported. This number represents a 42% increase from the year prior.
In a study involving 6632 recently graduated high school students from a variety of states, the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA) found that 11.7% of participants underwent a form of educator sexual misconduct in the course of their K-12 school years, but only 4% of the victims actually reported the abuses. Other results showed teachers in academic areas perpetrated 63% of the abuse, while coaches and physical education teachers perpetrated 20%. Females comprised the most victims, at 72%, while males were the most likely perpetrators, at 85%.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Recognizing Warning Signs of Educator Sexual Abuse
The effects of educator sexual abuse are extensive, and a sexual abuse attorney in Michigan can help survivors get the justice and financial compensation they deserve for their losses and pain. While abuse is traumatic at the moment, the ATSA study also showed that even post-abuse victims had more difficulty in “psychosocial functioning” than non-victims. The National Children’s Advocacy Center advises educators and others about sexual misconduct, emphasizing that recognizing grooming, a common indicator of child sexual abuse, and other warning signs can help save victims from long-lasting trauma.
Preferential Treatment
Some teachers serve as mentors to students, having a special but appropriate teacher-student relationship. However, a teacher’s obvious preferential treatment of a student can be a red flag. Facilitating a student’s educational goals is healthy, but showing favoritism or cultivating a “special” friendship is out of bounds.
“Alone” Time
An educator should not be with a student alone. If the situation does arise–perhaps a student pops into a classroom for a quick word–the classroom or office door should stay open, and the teacher and student should be separated by a barrier, a desk, for example. Time alone, whether in the school building, on a practice field, or in a car (the teacher may offer a ride to or from school as a favor), is a clear warning sign.
Family Involvement
It is good for educators and parents to share a student’s best interests. However, teacher-family relationships that extend outside of the child’s educational experience can be an indicator of misconduct. Predators intentionally cultivate relationships to build trust with a victim’s family to reduce suspicions that anything untoward could be happening.
Out-of-School Communication
Teachers and students may exchange emails–through school accounts–about schoolwork but should not have text conversations, phone calls, or send emails through personal accounts. Social media connections between teachers and students are also inappropriate. If you notice this kind of communication, take screenshots or otherwise save the interactions and share them with your Lansing school sexual abuse lawyer.
Inside Jokes and Secrets
Joking with a class–on appropriate topics–can add levity to a classroom. However, teachers should not have inside jokes with specific students, sharing potentially flirtatious winks or glances to solidify a connection. A student should never be a teacher’s confidante or see a teacher as their own secret keeper.
School-Mate Suspicion
Listen to other students’ suspicions or whispers about a teacher and student’s possible inappropriate relationship. Students often see what adults in the building do not and share information among themselves. While some information may be untrue, and administrators must shut down rumors, student suspicions should not be patently ignored.
Stopping Educator Sexual Misconduct Together
If you suspect an educator of sexual misconduct, do not keep your suspicions to yourself. Speaking up can stop abuse before it starts or protect other potential victims from experiencing trauma. If you need help filing a child sex abuse lawsuit in Michigan, a Michigan sexual abuse attorney from White Law PLLC can help you from start to finish.
Your fight is our fight. We will stand with you and advocate for you as you seek justice and fair compensation from your abuser. A fair settlement can cover counseling and other related medical costs, and recover other losses you have sustained.
When you partner with a Michigan sexual abuse lawyer from our firm, you get our full attention. We will review your situation with care and develop a case strategy that addresses your specific needs. As we execute that strategy, we will keep you informed of your case’s progress, always ready to take your calls and answer your questions.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
No Tolerance for Educator Sexual Abuse
Educators who demonstrate sexual misconduct betray their students and entire communities. Such behavior cannot be tolerated and must be stopped. Our team fights to hold sexual abusers accountable for their disgraceful and harmful behavior and to secure justice for these predators’ young victims. Those who have suffered from educator sexual misconduct–or whose children have suffered–have a powerful ally in White Law PLLC. A sexual abuse lawyer in Michigan is here for you.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
