Battling the Cover-Up Culture of Child Sexual Abuse in Schools

Date

2018

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Policy and Practice

Abstract

Too many schools are failing in their responsibility to keep children safe from sexual abuse. The doctrine of in loco parentis demands that schools assume the responsibility of the parent to keep a child safe at school. Often, instead of protecting children, schools have been covering up sexual abuse of children by teachers, failing to investigate and report alleged abuse, and allowing teachers to silently leave. Not surprisingly, this allows them to fi nd employment as teachers elsewhere, free to resume their predatory behavior. This “passing the trash” policy has been well-publicized regarding sports, religious, and fraternal institutions. Schools are where children leave the protection of their parents to learn in a presumptive safe environment. How, and why, are some failing to adequately protect our children?

Description

Keywords

teacher misconduct, grooming, educator sexual misconduct, schools, staff training, prevention, law

Citation

Pollack, D., & Seidule, G. (2018). Battling the Cover-Up Culture of Child Sexual Abuse in Schools. Policy & Practice.

DOI