Educators and the Damaging Consequences of False Allegations

Educators and the Damaging Consequences of False Allegations : 

Educators and the Damaging Consequences of False Allegations Lisa Lahey, B.Ed. 14/09/2010 1

Teachers as Public Figures : 

Teachers as Public Figures Researchers have documented the importance of teachers as public figures in the community. A great deal of trust in teachers is assumed by most families and is essential if teachers are able to teach to full effect. An open and trusting communication between teachers, students and parents is critical. 14/09/2010 2

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14/09/2010 3 But in the past 5 - 10 years student and parent allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse against teachers have been increasing at a rapid rate. The allegations are made in elementary and secondary schools with an immediate response: educators are devastated, parents are furious and betrayed.

How do False Allegations Occur? : 

How do False Allegations Occur? Do children lie? Yes they do. Do teenagers and adolescents lie? Yes they do. Do adults lie? Yes they do. Can any of these people be mistaken about an accusation levelled against an innocent teacher? Yes they can. 14/09/2010 4

Case # 1: Judi Sutherland, 6th Grade Teacher Accused of Assaulting a Boy : 

Case # 1: Judi Sutherland, 6th Grade Teacher Accused of Assaulting a Boy Judi Sutherland was a teacher for 33 years. In 2003 she was in her office when she heard noise in the corridor. Sutherland entered the hall and found a 13-year-old boy hiding from a support assistant. Sutherland asked the boy if he would follow the assistant’s instructions. The boy slid down the wall, sat down and stuck out his legs, nearly tripping Sutherland. 14/09/2010 5

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14/09/2010 6 Sutherland told the boy to go to her office. The boy kicked her and swore profanities. Sutherland grabbed the boy as he tried to run away. The boy calmed down and entered the office. The boy made allegations of assault against her, stating she grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the wall.

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Sutherland was arrested, charged and brought to the police station for fingerprinting. After 18 months Sutherland went to trial. The boy refused to testify. DNA evidence proved the boy’s bruises did not come from Sutherland. The judge threw the case out. Sutherland couldn’t return to work for 11 months while the school continued its own investigation. 14/09/2010 7 Watch a Paul Wallin Youtube Video about Teachers Falsely Accused

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Resolving Complaints at The Ontario College of Teachers : 

Resolving Complaints at The Ontario College of Teachers 14/09/2010 9 The College is responsible for investigating and resolving complaints regarding the professional misconduct or incapacity of educators. Its authority derives from the Ontario College of Teachers Act, and regulations made about the College under the Act, available on the College web site at www.oct.ca in About the College – Education Legislation- Ontario College of Teachers Act.

The Rights of Members : 

During an investigation the College must also protect a member’s rights some of which include: Conducting investigations in a timely manner. Advising the member of the right to legal assistance. Informing the member of the allegation(s). Giving the member an opportunity to respond. 14/09/2010 10 The Rights of Members

College Complaint Resolution : 

11 14/09/2010 College Complaint Resolution A B

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12 Since some teachers are indeed pedophiles and commit sexual assault against minors, parents tend to believe their childrens’ false accusations. The College agrees that any accusation has to be taken seriously. Dispute Resolution is used at all stages of an investigation. The foremost focus is protection of the public interest, not that of the educators.

ABC News Investigates False Sexual Allegations Against Teachers : 

ABC News Investigates False Sexual Allegations Against Teachers May 2006: ABC News examined false allegations made against teachers : A female student did not approve of a male schoolteacher’s rules and accused him of touching her breasts. The same student paid her peers $1.00 each to also accuse the teacher. Students molested at home may accuse a teacher as a means of acting out, a phenomenon known as transference. 13 Watch the ABC News Report Falsely Accused Teachers

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14/09/2010 14 Unfortunately it does happen that sexual allegations against teachers are true. Teachers have been dismissed due to their guilt in assault cases. June 2, 2004 Lorne Cooke was arrested for sexual assault at a private boys’ school. Cooke, a science teacher, created a “mock kidney operation” using 12 and 13-year-old male volunteers. A student, R.B., alleged Cooke touched his penis to secure a putative catheter before the operation. Case # 2: L. Cooke v. Ontario Superior Court of Justice

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14/09/2010 15 Cooke did not disclose to R.B. that he would be using a catheter on him since he was aware that R.B. would object. R.B. did not consent to the use of the catheter. Cooke pulled R.B.’s underwear down to mid-thigh and placed the catheter on his penis. This process took 20 seconds. The Court convicted Cooke as guilty of sexual assault and the College revoked his license to teach. Read the full proceeding against L. Cooke.

Teacher Terminated due to False Accusations : 

Teacher Terminated due to False Accusations In this extreme case a teacher didn’t have a chance to answer to false allegations but was still terminated. In Georgia, 2008, Tonya Craft was found guilty of molesting 3 Kindergarten children and she was instantly dismissed. Craft's attorneys called the dismissal “premature” stating the board overreacted. Craft had no opportunity to present her side. The lawyers called for unpaid suspension until Craft can have her day in court. 16 Read Tonya Craft’s full story.

The Cost of Teacher Suspensions : 

The Cost of Teacher Suspensions 2008, Bristol, Scotland. The Evening Post reported teacher suspensions are costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. Almost £14.5 million have been spent on suspended teachers' salaries in the UK. The secretary for the National Union of Teachers said the figures show that authorities are too quick to suspend teachers. Most teachers are exonerated and eventually return to work. There are no repercussions for the students. 14/09/2010 17

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On the West coast of the United Kingdom teacher suspension increased by 185% since 2003. At the same time teachers and the public have been advised that many of these suspensions have occurred unfairly due to false allegations of misconduct committed against students. Other accusations included misuse of drugs or alcohol, and gross misconduct. 14/09/2010 18 Watch a Youtube Video entitled False Allegations

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One West teacher, accused of slapping a 10-year-old pupil, faced a prison sentence and loss of her job. She endured several court cases and accusations of violence. She was found guilty of assault only to be cleared on appeal. Bristol had ten teacher suspensions in 2008 compared to three in 2005/06. The cost added up to £149,000 and more than 54 months of lost teaching time in one year. 14/09/2010 19 Read the full article Telling Tales on Sir

When Students Harass Teachers : 

Sometimes students are suspended for harassing and accusing teachers. A student was suspended for "cyber-bullying" her English teacher on Facebook however she is suing the principal for violating her free speech rights. The Facebook page, "Ms. Phelps is the worst teacher I’ve ever met!," featured Phelps’ photograph so Evans “could express her hatred.” Evans was removed from advanced classes into lesser classes. Her lawsuit alleges the mark on her record strains her academic reputation and good standing. Evidently Evans isn’t concerned about the teacher’s professional reputation and good standing. 14/09/2010 20 When Students Harass Teachers Read the full article here.

PASSING THE BUCK TO CHILDREN COSTS MORE THAN MONEY : 

PASSING THE BUCK TO CHILDREN COSTS MORE THAN MONEY Jackie Kemp, a Scottish journalist, reflected in her blog in October 2009 on the escalating number of teacher suspensions. She described it as “a bureaucratic machine which, at the first push of the button grinds the teacher up and spits them out.” As a professional writer, no one is more qualified than Ms. Kemp to tell her opinion in own words. 14/09/2010 21