2 of 30 abusers still working at the schools?
1212 of you have signed this petition. It has become all the more vital to take action for the safe4ty of the students as it is now, clearly a fact, that 2 of the 30 sexual abusers named by the Encompass investigation are still employed by and working in the schools. One, apparently, is a teacher at North Kirkwood Middle School, and the other is the Principal of the High School.
Some will maintain that people are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. From the standpoint of the law, this is accurate which is to say there are two types of guilt: one, as defined by law and another as defined by actions. If I rob a bank, I am a bank robber. This is a truth as defined by my actions. I may not be apprehended, I may not be caught or there might never be enough evidence to convict me, to legally determine my guilt but I am, none the less, a bank robber. I committed a crime.
Most sexual abuse is not even reported. If it is reported it is not always reported to police. Of the fraction of times sexual abuse is reported to police it rarely results in a felony conviction. Among these felony convictions even fewer see perpetrators given prison sentences. The sexual abusers remain free, most of them, and often continue their abuse. The victims are coerced into silence by the fact that these persons are walking the streets.
The principal of KHS was determined to have had sexual relations with a 16year old student. This, by law, is never consensual as minors are not considered to be able to consent to sex with adults. Read the definition of statutory rape. This did not result in prosecution nor a conviction but, as with the bank robber in the hypothetical situation, the principal is a sexual abuser none the less. This is not the only case that came up with him. He was witnessed having oral sex performed on him by a subordinate in a classroom. Whether that was consensual or not, I would imagine most student's parents would not regard this as acceptable for a principal of their child's school.
We must continue to pressure the school for this principal's expulsion. The District has made it known in clear terms that they are pleased with what they have done regarding the Encompass findings and feel they have satisfied all of their own policies and laws regarding this epic case of 50 years of systemic sexual abuse of children. As this is the case, it is clearly upon the community members to rally, to dissent, to notify Board Members and the Superintendent and Michael Havener that we are far from pleased with their actions and demand that sexual abuse of children at KHS be eradicated no matter who was involved as a perpetrator or as cover for perpetrators.
The guilty hope that we will tire of pursuing this. They hope that we will give up. They hope that we will come to believe or already believe that we are powerless in this matter. Let's prove them wrong. I ask that.you do not give up on the children. I ask that you join whatever effort you may to put this issue before the parent's groups, your church group, clubs, that you help circulate the petition, that you attend the next school board meeting and voice your dissent, etc. Do not give up on the children. So many have been harmed and this harm sustains throughout their entire lives.