Stop Covering Up Horace Mann's Complicity in 3 Decades of Child Abuse

Stop Covering Up Horace Mann's Complicity in 3 Decades of Child Abuse

The Issue

A New York Times Magazine article recently uncovered decades of sexual abuse that took place at Horace Mann School in New York City.  It detailed how teachers- primarily in the 1970s and 1980s- sexually abused students and the pain, suicide and silence that followed the horrible acts.  Since the article appeared, we now know that some 25 survivors have implicated over 15 Horace Mann teachers in child abuse -- which included the Headmaster of Horace Mann, R. Inslee Clark, Jr. -- begging the question, how could the most prestigious college prepatory school in the country allow so many perpetrators to abuse so many children over so many years?  It was also revealed that the administration apparently knew about the abuse in many instances, but refrained from alerting police, students or parents.  So far, the Horace Mann administration and Headmaster Thomas Kelly have offered neither apology to the Survivors, nor or a satisfactory strategy for ensuring the abuse never happens again.   As graduates from Horace Mann, we demand that the headmaster and administration take proactive steps to address the horrible abuses that happened on school grounds with the administration's knowledge.  While many of the perpetrators of these crimes are dead and the statutes of limitation passed, the victims still need and deserve justice and closure.  Specifically, we are asking for an apology on behalf of the school, a "gold plated" system to prevent future sexual abuse at the school, and a transparent investigation into the allegations.

avatar of the starter
HM Action CoalitionPetition StarterAs alumni of The Horace Mann School in New York City, many of us were saddened, stunned and angered to learn that a number of teachers, over decades, had sexually abused our friends and classmates on a scale that few could imagine, reminding us that the plague of child sexual abuse knows no boundaries. First and foremost, we demand that the school offer an unconditional apology to the victims and help the survivors heal in whatever time, manner and place best comforts them. Second, we recognize that over the span of three decades, child abuse could not have flourished in an institution such as Horace Mann without secrecy and willful ignorance, if not outright complicity. We ask that the school live up to one of its core principles -- "Great is the truth and it prevails" -- and allow for an independent investigation.
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The Issue

A New York Times Magazine article recently uncovered decades of sexual abuse that took place at Horace Mann School in New York City.  It detailed how teachers- primarily in the 1970s and 1980s- sexually abused students and the pain, suicide and silence that followed the horrible acts.  Since the article appeared, we now know that some 25 survivors have implicated over 15 Horace Mann teachers in child abuse -- which included the Headmaster of Horace Mann, R. Inslee Clark, Jr. -- begging the question, how could the most prestigious college prepatory school in the country allow so many perpetrators to abuse so many children over so many years?  It was also revealed that the administration apparently knew about the abuse in many instances, but refrained from alerting police, students or parents.  So far, the Horace Mann administration and Headmaster Thomas Kelly have offered neither apology to the Survivors, nor or a satisfactory strategy for ensuring the abuse never happens again.   As graduates from Horace Mann, we demand that the headmaster and administration take proactive steps to address the horrible abuses that happened on school grounds with the administration's knowledge.  While many of the perpetrators of these crimes are dead and the statutes of limitation passed, the victims still need and deserve justice and closure.  Specifically, we are asking for an apology on behalf of the school, a "gold plated" system to prevent future sexual abuse at the school, and a transparent investigation into the allegations.

avatar of the starter
HM Action CoalitionPetition StarterAs alumni of The Horace Mann School in New York City, many of us were saddened, stunned and angered to learn that a number of teachers, over decades, had sexually abused our friends and classmates on a scale that few could imagine, reminding us that the plague of child sexual abuse knows no boundaries. First and foremost, we demand that the school offer an unconditional apology to the victims and help the survivors heal in whatever time, manner and place best comforts them. Second, we recognize that over the span of three decades, child abuse could not have flourished in an institution such as Horace Mann without secrecy and willful ignorance, if not outright complicity. We ask that the school live up to one of its core principles -- "Great is the truth and it prevails" -- and allow for an independent investigation.

The Decision Makers

Michael Loeb
Michael Loeb
Chair Emeritus
Michael Hess
Michael Hess
Chair Emeritus
Peter Gross
Peter Gross
Chair Emeritus
Richard Eisner
Richard Eisner
Chair Emeritus
Alan Locker
Alan Locker
Board Chair, Emeritus

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