Seattle » Seattle Post Intelligencer

The report of over 11,000 priests, who were reported as sexually abusing children between 1950 to 2002 left us reeling with outrage. The allegations were categorized as:

• Number substantiated: 6,700 (61%)
• Number unsubstantiated: 1,000 (9.1%)
• Number not investigated - allegations were made after the priest's death: 3,300.

Now on the heels of the priest sexual abuse scandal comes substantiated cases of teacher sexual abuse, which renders incredulity, in that many of the teachers are free to continue to work as teachers.

The following headlines were published in October, 2007:

• 125 Wash. teachers punished for sexual misconduct over 5 years By Donna Gordon Blankinship,The Associated Press, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 20, 2007

• Sexual misconduct plagues U.S. schools AP finds 2,500 teachers punished in 5 years By Martha Irvine and Robert Tanner, The Associated Press, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 20, 2007

• Associated Press "Teacher sexual abuse on rise". auburnpub.com, October 20, 2007

• Juliet Williams and Martha Irvine, Associated Press "Sex offenses by teachers stay secret in many cases". LA Daily News, October 20, 2007

• Admitting abuse but free to teach Oregon education - Criminal convictions for admitted sexual misconduct are hit and miss - By Amy Hsuan, Melissa Navas and Bill Graves, The Oregonian, October 21, 2007

• Patchwork laws fail to stop teacher sexual misconduct - Asbury Park Press on 10/28/07 - By robert Tanner - The Associated Press

The AP found attempts to stop particular offenders, it also found a firm resistance towards identifying and preventing abuse. Fellow teachers often ignore the abuse or believe they cannot help. School administrators cut backdoor deals to sidestep lawsuits or bad press. In state governments and Congress, lawmakers are loath to impose harsher punishments or any national policy in fear of harming the teaching profession.

This astounding convoluted thinking leaves children to fend for themselves against cunning sex offenders.

New York State Education Department reports, the number of "moral misconduct" accusations against educators in New York has doubled in five years. In 2005, 134 cases of "moral misconduct" were reported involving teachers and other school employees, as compared to just 70 cases in 2001. According to an overview of the cases, almost 75 percent of the "moral conduct" cases involved sexual acts or an improper relationship. In all, 485 misconduct cases occurred over the five year period in New York State.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, "If I'd Only Known...Sexual Abuse in or Out of the Family: A Guide to Prevention, specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net

Source: www.articlecity.com