UNITED STATES
Jeff Anderson & Associates
Jeff Anderson & Jared Shepherd
This year has been filled with disturbing revelations of trusted institutions failing to protect children across the country. The utter failure of mandatory reporters to follow their mandate is part and parcel of this year’s numerous sex abuse scandals. As a recent example, this week in San Jose, California, a jury convicted Lyn Vijayendran, the former principal of O.B. Whaley Elementary School, of failing to report child sexual abuse.
The charge against Vijayendran stemmed from a report by a second grader that a teacher, Craig Chandler, while alone in the classroom with her, blindfolded her, made her lie on the floor, and put a salty tasting liquid in her mouth. Vijayendren took Chandler’s word when he informed the principal that the incident was merely part of a lesson about Helen Keller. On Thursday, a judge sentenced Ms. Vijayendran to two years probation, $602 in fines, and 100 hours of community service. Vijayendran’s community service will include training other educators in the proper reporting of suspected child abuse.
Luckily, prosecutors have begun pushing back, utilizing state mandatory reporter laws to draw a line in the sand. In addition to Vijayendran’s conviction, this year also saw the convictions of Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City, Missouri for failing to report suspicion of child abuse and Monsignor Lynn of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was sentenced to 3-6 years in prison for felony child endangerment. While these prosecutions are an importoant step toward accountability and help raise awareness of the lack of reporting, one wonders why those on the front lines of child protection, such as educators, youth leaders, and clergy, are not fulfilling their mandate under state laws.
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