UNITED STATES
New York Magazine
By Catie L’Heureux
In a new report, the Boston Globe’s Spotlight Team paints a horrifying portrait of the reality of sexual abuse in New England private schools. The report itself is an important read, providing a 25-year history of the issue and prompting a breakdown of the most sobering statistics here. It’s worth noting that besides these findings, there is currently no database of allegations against private-school employees (and limited research on sex abuse in public schools).
Among 67 New England private schools, over the past 25 years, more than 200 students have accused private-school authorities of sexual abuse or sexual harassment — teachers, administrators, staff members, and (in one case) an admissions officer.
Their claims: rape, fondling, molestation, and oral sex.
At least 90 students or their families have filed lawsuits.
At least 37 school employees were fired or forced to resign because of the claims.
Nearly two dozen employees ultimately pleaded guilty or were convicted on criminal charges of abusing children or related crimes.
Of at least eight New England private schools that have started investigations of alleged sexual misconduct this year, five schools have fired or placed staff members on administrative leave: at St. George’s School in Rhode Island, the Taft School in Connecticut, Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, and Thayer Academy and Concord Academy in Massachusetts.
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