About Us

Before becoming the National Center to Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, & Exploitation, we were known as S.E.S.A.M.E.—Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct and Exploitation.

S.E.S.A.M.E. was founded in 1991 by Mary Ann Werner, a courageous advocate whose personal tragedy became a national call to action. As one of the first organizations in the United States dedicated solely to preventing educator sexual misconduct, S.E.S.A.M.E. raised national awareness about abuse in schools long before the issue gained mainstream attention.

In 2025, SESAME expanded and rebranded as the National Center to Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, & Exploitation to reflect its growing role as a national research and policy leader, and to better support survivors, educators, families, and lawmakers working to end abuse in schools.

Why Sesame?

At first glance, the sesame seed is small—easy to overlook. But hidden inside is powerful potential.

It’s one of the world’s oldest and most nourishing seeds: rich in nutrients, resilient in harsh climates, and essential to communities across the globe. With care and cultivation, it becomes a vital source of strength and healing.

At the National Center to Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, & Exploitation, we embrace the sesame seed as a symbol of what we stand for:

Resilience. Like the seed that grows in the most challenging conditions, survivors of educator sexual abuse possess remarkable strength and courage—often invisible, but deeply rooted.
Nourishment. Just as sesame nourishes the body, truth, accountability, and survivor-centered reform nourish communities and support long-term healing.
Revelation. As in the phrase “Open Sesame,” we work to unlock the doors to justice—breaking through secrecy and silence to expose abuse, empower survivors, and enact change.

For Survivors: You Are the Seed

The sesame seed is small—yet it carries extraordinary power. Packed with strength, it survives in hard soil, grows in tough climates, and feeds communities when fully nurtured. It may be overlooked by others, but it holds the potential to transform the world around it.

You are that seed.

You have survived what no one should endure. You may feel buried, broken, or invisible—but like the seed, you carry something fierce and beautiful inside you: resilience, truth, and the power to grow.

You are resilient. Like the sesame seed that pushes through hard ground, you have endured. You are still here. That is strength.
You are nourishing. Your voice, your truth, your survival—these feed others with courage, awareness, and healing. You show others they’re not alone.
You are a catalyst. When the silence breaks, when justice is pursued, when you speak your truth or simply keep going—that’s when change begins to grow.

You don’t have to be loud to be powerful. You don’t have to be visible to be vital. Like the seed, your presence—just as you are—can reshape the world.

We see you. We believe you. And we stand with you.

For Educators

You are the first line of defense. The classroom is where trust is built—or broken. By reporting misconduct, modeling accountability, and supporting protective environments, you help students thrive. Every safe space you create is a seedbed for lifelong growth.

For Legislators

You hold the power to cultivate safer systems. Through strong laws, oversight, and funding, you make it possible to expose abuse, protect students, and hold institutions accountable. You are the gatekeepers of justice—help us open the doors.