Schools/Unions try to keep sexual misconduct 'private'

"Just think if priests could get away with this?"

For starters boys can't get pregnant.

.

but I guess this doesn't include the teachers themselves. So, who's going to watch the teachers?

Hi Kidd,

Yeah, as I said to Roger, if teachers, doctors, counselors, etc. are required to report all suspected cases of abuse to the authorities, then I think the school administrators should equally be required to report cases of potential abuse by teachers. It's a delicate balance cuz I can see how in this litigious age false accusations could literally ruin a teacher's career. But I think knowing the complaint will go to the appropriate authorities and treated with the same scrutiny as say a charge against a parent, it might cut down on false accusations.

Much as I'm reluctant to make more work for the already overburdened CPS divisions in our states, that is the place for the review to take place. It would probably be an economic wash if a few high paid school administrators' salaries were reapportioned to increase the CPS workforce.

On a related note, since you mentioned the drive to remove all parental notification/permission for "reproductive health" services, I am sickened by the general lack of enthusiasm of Planned Parenthood to report pregnancies in underage girls they have reason to believe were impregnated under illegal (statuatory rape) circumstances. As to the notion that the parents would freak out and abuse the kid, I'ld say that kid should be removed from the home if that's the case, not just given an abortion and sent back to some supposed powderkeg of abuse.

Evie

to be the devil's advocate here, I guess their right not to incriminate themselves would cover not reporting when they molested and abused children.

Of course, that in no way excuses all the other teachers who probably suspected something and kept their mouth shut.

roger

... because it was about allowing teachers to expunge their records even if convicted of sexual misconduct. I can see keeping employment records re: accusations kept private -- just like sex harrasment charges, etc., because this is an arena where false accusations, unfortunately, will also abound. I also don't think a teachers' entire personel record should be open to the public anymore than I believe your's should be. I mean if you break a "law" at work -- e.g. don't follow some company procedure -- it may go in your file, but is not released even, in most cases, to potential future employers.

This is why matters such as this in the schools MUST be reported to the civil authorities IMO, and handled by the civil authorities. I believe that to be appropriate for the Catholic church, a day care center, a privately run sports camp, Boy Scouts, etc., and the schools. There should be no culture of secrecy within the organizations or internal handling of such issues, because then the incidents and record thereof can be shoved under the rug. Some form of vetting of charges before turning them to the civil authorities seems reasonable, but then it should be ejudicated by the appropriate authorities.

I wonder what is meant by "convicted" in this case because it would be a matter of public record if said conviction was through the civil court no matter what the union/school policy is re: the personel file. I assume this was some sort of internal "conviction" and that's where this issue of mandatory reporting of abuse comes in. Teachers, doctors, etc. are required by law in most states to notify authorities if they suspect abuse. I would say that the school administrators be equally bound to report such instances (not the teacher themselves), especially if some internal review shows merit to the charge.

Evie