S.E.S.A.M.E. - Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct and Exploitation

SESAME believes the power imbalance between a teacher and student (of any age) creates a climate that can facilitate sexual exploitation behavior by the teacher, behavior that is psychologically equivalent to incest.

DEFINITION

Sexual misconduct: "Offensive conduct of a sexual nature (by a school staff person) which may affect the personal integrity or security of a student or the school environment (Protecting our Students, The Ontario ministry of the Attorney General's Report, 2000)

SCHOOLS, OUR RESPONSIBILITY

"...the skills necessary to become an outstanding educator are also skills that enable those who would betray their trust and harm children . . ."

". . . one must never stop trying to increase the level of safety in the schools through responsible efforts taken in conjunction with school employees parents, students, lawmakers and in short all other members of the community."
Doug Bates, Ph.D., J.D. (deceased 5/2000. Former school teacher, administrator & attorney with the Utah Dept. of Ed. & NASDTEC) - SESAME Winter/Summer 2000 newsletter, p.5

"What hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander."
-- Elie Wiesel, Holocaust Survivor

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