The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has launched a national K-12 initiative to crack down on sexual predators in K-12 schools. The letter specifically highlights the role and efforts of teachers' unions that allow abuse to continue.
"Teachers' unions demonstrated commitment to shield their members from disciplinary action for gross misconduct cannot trump basic moral and legal responsibilities to students and families," Linda E. McMahon, Secretary of Education, writes in a "Dear Colleague" letter released on Friday.
The letter lays out "the statutory obligations of state educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) that receive federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (Department) to respond promptly and appropriately to sexual harassment and abuse that occur in their programs and activities."
Alabama has several laws intended to protect children; they include a duty to report suspected physical or sexual abuse and laws that make it a crime for a school employee to engage in or solicit a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student under the age of 19 years, as well as laws that address "School Employee Distributing or Soliciting Obscene Material to or from a student," (Section 13A-6-81-84).
While there is no definitive list of abuse in 2015, one study showed that Alabama led the nation in per capita abuse reports.
In February, 1819 News reported that four teachers in Pickens County were arrested on child pornography charges.
In June, 1819 News reported that the Dothan Police Department arrested two school officials after determining they failed to report possible sexual abuse to the proper authorities.
Weeks later, 1819 News reported that the State had still not revoked the teachers' teaching certificate.
In another case last month, 1819 News reported that a Jackson County coach was placed on leave as a probe into reports that a registered sex offender continues; a former teacher who was found guilty of abuse of former students was allowed to volunteer at Skyline High School. Parents say that school administrators should also be held responsible for failing to report the situation and for allowing the offender onto campus.
"Sexual predators who operate within the walls of American schools depend on institutional silence and complacency. Such silence is not only a moral failure but also violates federal law designed to protect our most defenseless class of citizens—our children," McMahon says in the letter. "Nationwide, too many boys and girls are being subjected to unthinkable sexual misconduct, including harassment, assault, abuse, and molestation, by the very teachers, staff, and administrators entrusted with their educational and physical well-being."
"Anyone who believes that a school, LEA, or SEA has failed to respond appropriately to sexual misconduct may file a complaint with the Department. Information about filing a complaint with the Department, including a link to the online complaint form, is available here," the letter closes.
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