"Sexual exploitation" means a pattern, practice, or scheme of conduct, which may include sexual contact, that can reasonably be construed as being for the purposes of sexual arousal or gratification or sexual abuse of any person.
(TexasStatutes.gov)
Examples of sexual exploitation include unwanted kissing, grabbing, touching or rubbing of a sexual nature. Threats of any unwanted sexual act. Rape or attempted rape. It also includes pressuring in a nonphysical way for sexual activities, for example, by harassment (repeatedly asking), guilt, threat, lies or intimidation (coercion).
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Parent advocacy group Texas Education 911 released “State-Sponsored Child Abuse: School Employee Misconduct in Texas” this week following two years of research.
The group analyzed school employee misconduct reports submitted to the Texas Education Agency between September 2021 and July 2024.
The researchers found 6,888 reports of physical and sexual offenses by taxpayer-funded school employees perpetrated on students in Texas schools in just 34 months.
Alarming evidence also showed that a majority of those misconduct reports—61 percent—were not investigated by the TEA.
According to the report, among the 1,412 allegations of a school employee’s inappropriate sexual relationship with a student, only 14 percent of the accused faced permanent, mandatory revocation of their teaching certificates.
“The practice of allowing the accused to surrender the educator’s certificate in lieu of facing investigation is far too common, and should never be allowed,” the report states.
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although school staff are mandatory reporters, they are instructed to report via chain-of-command, leading to breakdown
well-liked teachers are often defended
school/district wants to avoid looking bad in the community or to world at large
diffusion of responsibility ("Someone else will surely report that!")
What are we looking to affect with our efforts?
Reform educator hiring practices
Revamp misconduct reporting and investigation systems and processes to the professional level expected from one of the largest enterprises in Texas
Remove barriers to civil and criminal liability of abusers and those who protect them
Guarantee transparency, accountability, and due process protections for all
Close loopholes that allow criminals in Texas schools to walk free