One in ten students has experienced sexual misconduct by educators, according to a 2004 study from the US Department of Education. This misconduct can range from inappropriate joking to rape, and this new program will help school personnel better understand offender tactics, victim impact, and appropriate professional boundaries. The program helps explain the terrible impact of sexual abuse on both female and male children, the role of social media in perpetuation of the abuse, and ways to facilitate prevention of it. 

"Innocence Shattered" features Amy Hestir who was sexually abused by a popular high school coach starting at age 12. She told no one about the abuse until 10 years later, and by then the statue of limitations had passed and prosecution was impossible. As a result, Missouri State Senator Jane Cunningham co-sponsored the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act which increases the statute of limitations for prosecution of child sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse of male children is discussed by Mark who was sexually abused by a sixth grade basketball coach, and Jennifer Marsh with RAINN talks about the unique impact of child sexual abuse on men.

Social media as a facilitator of child sexual abuse is very important, according to School Resource Officer, Thomas Wright, who reports that it decreases the time that offenders need to select and groom their victims, and that virtually all sexual abuse cases now involve technology in some way.   

 

K-12: Community Issues
Violence Prevention: Child Abuse
Violence Prevention: Cultural Issues
Violence Prevention: Rape / Sexual Assault