View the Sexual Misconduct by School Employees Power Topic

Content Warning

This Power Topic includes sensitive content that some people may find disturbing or difficult to discuss.

What’s Ahead

Some school employees take advantage of their authority and status as trusted adults to sexually abuse students. In this Power Topic, you will learn:

• What school employee sexual misconduct is
• How widespread the problem is
• What grooming is
• The effects on students
• What we can do

Definitions

• Perpetrator: The person who harasses or assaults a victim
• Sexual Misconduct: Unwanted physical, verbal, or visual behaviors of a sexual nature
• Targets: Students chosen by perpetrators by exploiting vulnerabilities
• Grooming: Techniques used to manipulate and gain trust
• Control: Methods used to silence or intimidate a victim

School Employee Sexual Misconduct

Unwanted physical behavior causing discomfort:

• Full-body hugs
• Inappropriate touching
• Students sitting on laps
• Sexual contact

Verbal or visual behavior causing discomfort:

• Inappropriate comments about appearance or body parts
• Excessive compliments
• Inappropriate texts, emails, or social media messages
• Sending nude images or pornography

Who Are the Targets?

Perpetrators often target vulnerable students, including those who:

• Have physical or cognitive disabilities
• Have academic, behavioral, or emotional challenges
• Struggle with substance use
• Are seen as “not believable”
• Feel lonely or isolated
• Face challenges at home
• Have immigration-related concerns

These students are targeted because they are less likely to report abuse—and less likely to be believed if they do.

Grooming

Perpetrators may manipulate students by:

• Building special, trusted relationships with students and parents
• Offering one-on-one tutoring or mentorship
• Giving praise, gifts, affection, or special attention
• Discussing romantic or sexual topics
• Normalizing sexual contact
• Introducing drugs or alcohol

Control

Perpetrators may pressure students into silence by:

• Manipulating emotions or affection
• Exploiting power differences and credibility
• Threatening academic, athletic, or extracurricular consequences
• Threatening to reveal a student’s rule-breaking behavior
• Threatening harm to family members or pets

How Widespread Is the Problem?

• About 17% of students report experiencing inappropriate behavior from a school employee
• In the first nine months of 2022, 199 public educators in the U.S. were arrested for sex-related crimes against students
• Latino, Black, and Indigenous students are disproportionately affected

Effects on Students

• Academic: Avoiding school, difficulty concentrating, declining grades
• Emotional: Fear, shame, anxiety, depression, self-doubt
• Long-term: Substance use, mistrust of institutions, difficulty forming relationships

Talk About It

• What behaviors by school staff are inappropriate?
• Why are students often disbelieved when they report abuse?
• What would a school environment that discourages misconduct look like?

What Can We Do?

Raise Awareness

• Educate students and parents
• Learn to recognize warning signs
• Publicize reporting options

Advocate for:

• Clear, confidential, and anonymous reporting procedures
• Clear definitions of unacceptable behavior
• Stronger boundaries between students and staff

If You Are Sexually Assaulted

Get to safety and seek help immediately.

• Call 911 or local emergency services
• Reach out to a trusted friend or adult
• Contact a crisis center
• Call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org

Acknowledgment

This Power Topic was inspired by a courageous family whose student experienced school employee abuse. Special thanks to Dr. Charol Shakeshaft for contributing resources, and to “RK” for instructional design support.