The Bread Crumb Trail: A Straight Line from Sexual Misconduct to Sexual Abuse in Schools - - Broader Examination of Sexual Misconduct Critical to Protecting Nation’s School Children
Mary Jo McGrath, recent Chair of the US Department of Education Expert Panel on Safe, Disciplined and Drug-Free Schools, is an investigative school attorney specializing in education law. She has prepared an in depth article entitled, “The Bread Crumb Trail: A Straight Line from Sexual Misconduct to Sexual Abuse in Schools,” to demonstrate the direct link between sexual misconduct and sexual abuse. Ms. McGrath provides expert guidance on the detection and investigation of educator sexual misconduct and abuse in our schools.
Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) September 2, 2004 -- More than 4.5 million students
endure sexual misconduct by employees of their schools, ranging from
inappropriate jokes all the way to forced sex, according to a new report to
Congress prepared by Charol Shakeshaft, a Hofstra University professor, in
compliance with No Child Left Behind legislation.
The report drew
extensive flak from many corners upon its submission. Michael Pons, a
representative of the National Education Association, a union of 2.7 million
school employees, said, “Lumping harassment together with serious sexual
misconduct does more harm than good by creating unjustified alarm and
undermining confidence in public schools.”
What Mr. Pons’ statement
reflects is a lack of awareness of the direct and undeniable connection between
behaviors that would be classified as sexual misconduct and their progression
into sexual abuse.
Mary Jo McGrath, recent Chair of the US Department of
Education Expert Panel on Safe, Disciplined and Drug-Free Schools, is an
investigative school attorney specializing in education law. She has prepared an
in depth article entitled, “The Bread Crumb Trail: A Straight Line from Sexual
Misconduct to Sexual Abuse in Schools,” to demonstrate the direct link between
sexual misconduct and sexual abuse. Ms. McGrath provides expert guidance on the
detection and investigation of educator sexual misconduct and abuse in our
schools.
According to Ms. McGrath, it is absolutely critical to include
the full range of educator sexual misconduct in any discussion that is serious
about protecting students from harm. Why? Because rarely is the sexual abuse
itself visible to those in the educational community. You need to know the
subtle signs.
The McGrath article includes the following guidance:
•
A comprehensive list of sexual misconduct behaviors.
• Understanding the
psychodynamics of a typical educator sexual abuse investigation – identifying
the danger and following the leads.
• Boundary violations – the “bread crumb’
trail to uncovering sexual abuse.
• A classification system for recognizing
and acting on early warning signs of sexual abuse.
• What about false
allegations? (First of all, they are rare…)
• Duty to protect – an inclusive
summary of school district responsibility.
• Creating an environment of
safety and respect.
After over 25 years as an investigative attorney,
McGrath concludes, “Most sexual abuse allegations against educators do not
result from a single indiscretion in a reckless moment. Almost always there is a
continuing course of conduct by an adult who preys on children for sexual
gratification.”
Mary Jo McGrath, Attorney at Law, is president and
founder of McGrath Training Systems, a national provider of legally based
training for schools and businesses. She is an expert on educator sexual
misconduct and abuse. A print ready copy of “The Bread Crumb Trail: A Straight
Line from Sexual Misconduct to Sexual Abuse in Schools” is available upon
request. For additional in-depth articles on the psychodynamics of child sexual
abuse investigations, early warning signs of child sexual abuse and related
topics, go to www.mcgrathinc.com. McGrath Training also provides sexual
harassment and abuse investigation training via distance learning courses, live
workshops and video education systems.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jill
Proudfoot, Director of Marketing and IT, McGrath Training Systems
PH:
805-683-0727 FAX: 626-797-3115
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/9/prweb154082.htm