To better safeguard schools from sexual predators, the Center for Education Safety turned to an unlikely source: Former Missouri teachers convicted of crossing the line with students.
Six former school employees, most still behind bars, agreed to answer questions from a former law enforcement officer who works as training coordinator for the center, which is part of the Missouri School Boards’ Association.
At a training Monday in Springfield for school safety coordinators, interviewer Gary Moore shared what he gained by asking the convicted felons how they chose and groomed their victims, where they perpetrated their crimes, how they were found out and what colleagues, parents and administrators could have done to stop them.
Moore said while all six “justified, rationalized and minimized” their behavior, to a point, they also provided valuable insight.
“It’s interesting to hear their take and see how they viewed it from their perspective,” he said.
To define a teacher / coach’s inappropriate relationship with a 18, 17, 16 year old willing and volunteering student as a sex crime and equate it with violent rape or sexual conduct with a toddler is ridiculous.
Absent any force (with force it would be a different offense), these “sex crimes” are only possible given the willing participation of the student. Why don’t we charge them criminally for taking part in these criminal relationships. Just like we would charge any 14+ year old for engaging in criminal conduct.
Watch how quickly these “heinous” crimes disappear. Problem solved.
This is bizarre. If they “justified, rationalized, and minimized their behavior,” then what was the point of even asking? It sounds as if the subjects were giving specific REASONS that triggered their poor choices, which is EXACTLY what needs to be identified so recommendations can be made in the future to PREVENT such triggers from happening by other potential offenders. If indeed those three behaviors were present in the interview, then ANY information they would be able to provide would itself be suspect.
The bottom line: To make an accusation (nothing less) on a matter that is entirely subjective (like “microaggression”) is not just cringe-worthy, but outright libelous. Pure and simple.
Not saying this is okay, but if a teacher in Missouri finds him/her self getting too close to a student above a certain age, maybe they should consider tying the knot.
http://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article204292464.html
“The definitions of statutory rape and other child sex crimes vary from state to state. Missouri defines statutory rape as anyone 21 or older having sex with someone under 17 outside of marriage. Within marriage, sex with a minor is legal. But not before.”