Pennsylvania, Institutional Sexual Assault, and Teacher "Impropriety"

Recently, a report was issued that the number of claims of inappropriate relationships, sexual abuse and misconduct filed against teachers in Pennsylvania is 2nd in the United States only to Texas.  This report supports the idea that abusers/rapists/sexual predators, whatever you want to call them, are not the scary guy who is already listed on Megan's Law.  They can be coaches, pillars of the community, or teachers.  Just because someone's criminal background check comes back clean does not mean s/he is not a predator.  It is important to have conversations with children and young adults about their bodies and boundaries.  Transitions is thankful to be able to provide educational programs in many local school districts to help children and teens navigate these issues and to feel safe disclosing abuse.  The high number of reports made could be  attributed to the increase in students feeling comfortable enough to report,which is a good thing.  It could also show that law enforcement agencies are more willing to prosecute charges against teachers and believe students when they disclose abuse.

In 2011, Pennsylvania changed the institutional sexual assault law, and what was previously considered a misdemeanor charge of corruption of minors if a student was over 16, is now considered a felony charge of institutional sexual assault.  According to the law, the power imbalance between students and teachers is too wide for consent to be given.  As has been seen in too many cases, teachers have a lot of time to groom their victims until the victim/survivor believes that they want the sexual contact to happen.  This can complicate prosecution greatly, and we support the changing of the law.  This law was changed so that Pennsylvania would be in compliance with the Adam Walsh Act of 2006, which seeks to standardize sexual offender registration and notification.