Educator Sexual Misconduct in California
Educator sexual misconduct. Teachers play an essential role in the lives of children. Teachers are to be mentors, instructors, supporters, and trusted individuals whom children can visit when they need assistance. Parents usually believe that when their child is at school with teachers and staff, they are generally safe from harm. At least harm school educators. However, sexual abuse by educators does happen, and children do suffer from it.
When describing the term educator sexual misconduct, the definition is quite broad. It houses several inappropriate sexual behaviors, including verbal comments and jokes, visual exposure of improper images or genitals, and physical behavior like kissing or inappropriate touching that takes place between a student and an educator.
Likewise, the term educator can also mean many things. An educator can be a school administrator, a teacher, a support staff, a coach, a bus driver, or a counselor.
How Common Is Child Sexual Abuse in the USA
According to the National Children’s Alliance, over 600,000 children are abused every year in the United States. Since so many child abuse cases go unreported or uncovered, the number can be much higher than this. In 2021, though, 600,000 unique incidents of child abuse and neglect were reported.
Nationally, of the known and reported abuse cases, 10% are sexual abuse, and .2% are sex trafficking.
If you or someone you know was the victim of child sexual abuse, please do not delay in connecting with our California child sexual abuse attorney at Beck Law P.C. to learn more about obtaining compensation for your harm.
Examples of California Educator sexual misconduct – Child Sexual Abuse
One example of educator sexual misconduct was a teacher who was engaged in misconduct and inappropriate behavior with an underage child was that of Sherry Bernal, 33. Bernal is a preschool teacher in Glendora who was arrested for her relationship with a 15-year-old male juvenile. Allegations against Bernal include:
- Possession of obscene material involving a minor in a sexual act.
- Use of an underage person for obscene material.
- Harmful matter of a minor sent with sexual intent.
- Contact with a minor with an intent for sex, as well as arranging to meet a minor for sexual purposes.
Another example would be Jacqueline Ma, a 34-year-old teacher at Lincoln Acres Elementary near San Diego who was arrested on multiple counts of child sexual abuse.
Several students who attended Bay Area Schools allege that educators raped and sexually assaulted them, and the school administrators did nothing to protect these students.
Speak to a California Child Sexual Abuse Attorney Today About Educator Sexual Misconduct
Educator sexual misconduct is widespread in California and throughout the country. When it comes to the prevalence of sexual misconduct in school settings, one report to the United States Department of Education (USDOE), known as the “Shakeshaft Report,” estimated that sexual misconduct by educators was at least 9.6% of the U.S. student body.
For assistance with a child sexual abuse lawsuit in California, please reach out to and call the California child sexual abuse lawyer at Beck Law P.C. by calling (707) 576-7175.
San Francisco – Los Angeles – San Diego – Sonoma County – Lassen County
