Sexual Abuse Victims Speaking Out About Middle School Teacher
By: Lauren Trager, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 8, 2012
Two women are speaking out for the very first time saying they were repeatedly sexually assaulted at their middle school by a teacher.
It happened more than 20 years ago, but they say they had to act now to protect others.
Monday, we spoke with the women, who are now in their thirties. They didn't know until recently that they have very similar stories of abuse they say happened to them when they were just 14.
Both have documentation proving, for now, the state believes them.
The teacher is appealing his case and because there are no criminal charges filed, we are not revealing his name at this time.
Still, these women say they couldn't wait any longer to act.
"I am trying to take back a piece of myself that he took from me," said a woman we're calling Jane, who asked us to conceal her identity, fearful of repercussions for telling her story.
Back in 1990, when she was in the ninth grade, she says she was repeatedly abused by a teacher at what is now Redfield Middle School.
"It was sexual," Jane said.
Jane says the teacher abused her for nearly the entire year, often on school grounds and during school hours.
"He almost had a way of making you feel chosen and special, but at the same time, there's a great deal of shame and embarrassment," Jane said.
Those emotions, Jane says, kept her silent and yet changed her forever.
"The year following the abuse, I actually made an attempt on my life. I was severely depressed, very ashamed, I couldn't talk about it to my family. I couldn't talk about it to anyone," she said.
But, Jane says she's speaking now after learning she wasn't alone.
She provided to us documentation proving the State Police have investigated this teacher and found Jane's allegations to be true.
They can't prosecute because it's been too long since the actions occurred, but did recommend the teacher be placed on a Child Maltreatment Registry, which would cause him to lose his license.
"He doesn't need to teach, he doesn't deserve the honor of teaching," Jane said.
Jane is prepared to fight his appeal but she says, in the meantime, she's on a mission.
"I want people to know where they are sending their kids everyday," she said.
Jane fears there are other, younger victims. To them she says please, come forward.
"They can speak out against this man before he hurts someone else," she said.
Jane and the other victim question why this teacher is still in the classroom right now even as the investigation goes on.
The White Hall School District Superintendent says they can't comment until after the final proceedings.
An attorney for the teacher also told us he couldn't say anything.
If you need to report similar abuse in this case or in any other, click here.
It happened more than 20 years ago, but they say they had to act now to protect others.
Monday, we spoke with the women, who are now in their thirties. They didn't know until recently that they have very similar stories of abuse they say happened to them when they were just 14.
Both have documentation proving, for now, the state believes them.
The teacher is appealing his case and because there are no criminal charges filed, we are not revealing his name at this time.
Still, these women say they couldn't wait any longer to act.
"I am trying to take back a piece of myself that he took from me," said a woman we're calling Jane, who asked us to conceal her identity, fearful of repercussions for telling her story.
Back in 1990, when she was in the ninth grade, she says she was repeatedly abused by a teacher at what is now Redfield Middle School.
"It was sexual," Jane said.
Jane says the teacher abused her for nearly the entire year, often on school grounds and during school hours.
"He almost had a way of making you feel chosen and special, but at the same time, there's a great deal of shame and embarrassment," Jane said.
Those emotions, Jane says, kept her silent and yet changed her forever.
"The year following the abuse, I actually made an attempt on my life. I was severely depressed, very ashamed, I couldn't talk about it to my family. I couldn't talk about it to anyone," she said.
But, Jane says she's speaking now after learning she wasn't alone.
She provided to us documentation proving the State Police have investigated this teacher and found Jane's allegations to be true.
They can't prosecute because it's been too long since the actions occurred, but did recommend the teacher be placed on a Child Maltreatment Registry, which would cause him to lose his license.
"He doesn't need to teach, he doesn't deserve the honor of teaching," Jane said.
Jane is prepared to fight his appeal but she says, in the meantime, she's on a mission.
"I want people to know where they are sending their kids everyday," she said.
Jane fears there are other, younger victims. To them she says please, come forward.
"They can speak out against this man before he hurts someone else," she said.
Jane and the other victim question why this teacher is still in the classroom right now even as the investigation goes on.
The White Hall School District Superintendent says they can't comment until after the final proceedings.
An attorney for the teacher also told us he couldn't say anything.
If you need to report similar abuse in this case or in any other, click here.
Comments
"Jane" waited 20-something years to come forward with theses allegations which raises a red flag for me. I cannot believe your news station would let her be interviewed on air for statewide broadcast the things that she is saying about this man !! The statute of limitations has run out on any punishment one might have gotten HAD the STORY been TRUE, so why bring it up now ?? I could go to an 'authority' figure right now and tell them that someone abused me and ruin that person's reputation, if I were of a mind to do so..Words spoken can never be taken back. I am appalled that your station was gullible enough to fall for this person's sob story and especially sorry that you allowed her to speak about these 'unproven' charges against this man !! Are you that desperate for new stories these days ?? Will your station be at the next School board meeting in White Hall reporting on them tryiing to shut down the middle school here in Redfield ??? That's what's important to our children...NOT something that may or may not have taken place over 20 years ago !! When nothing turns up against this man will you offer him a heartfelt apology for helping ruin his carrer ?? You might want to do some checking around town before you go forward with another story like this one..'Jane' is no 'innocent' herself..
Katy T.
November 9, 2012 at 2:54 pm
