​Whether you're an educator, school staff member, or administrator, your presence on this page means one thing: you care deeply about protecting your students, your school, and your community.

​

You may have questions. Maybe you've observed troubling behavior among colleagues. Maybe someone in your school has been accused of sexual misconduct. Or maybe you're seeking tools to strengthen your awareness and prevention efforts.

​

Whatever brought you here, know this: you are not alone—and what you do next matters.

​

Why Awareness Matters

​

Sexual abuse and misconduct by educators is a serious and often misunderstood issue. Even experienced professionals—those who have completed basic child abuse prevention training—may not be equipped to recognize or respond to misconduct by fellow staff members. This is where deeper awareness and specialized tools make all the difference.

​

At The National Center for School Employee Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response, we provide trusted resources, expert guidance, and a community of educators, survivors, and advocates committed to change. Our work is rooted in more than 30 years of experience supporting schools, families, and survivors across the country.

​

We encourage you to explore the resources available on this site—developed by leading experts on our board of directors and advisory council. These tools are here to support you, empower you, and help you take meaningful action.

​

What You Can Do Right Now

 

Here are a few essential tips for educators who want to be more informed, proactive, and prepared:

​

1. Be Alert and Take Action

​

• If you see something that seems “off” between a colleague and a student, trust your instincts and speak up.

• Know what abuse, misconduct, and exploitation look like—and stop concerning behavior before it escalates.

​

2. Protect Yourself and Your Students

​

• Set and maintain clear, professional boundaries.

• Talk to your students about safe interactions and create an environment where they feel safe to share.

• When meeting with students, choose settings that are visible and professional.

​

3. Encourage Open Communication

​

• Build a culture of honesty and trust. Students should feel empowered to speak up if they witness or experience something inappropriate.

​

4. Understand Your Legal Duty to Report

​

Educators are mandated reporters—which means you are legally required to report suspected abuse or misconduct to all relevant authorities:

​

• Your school or district administrator

• Local law enforcement

• Your state’s child protective services agency

 

Even if a school administrator fails to act, you must still report. The safety of the child depends on it.

 

Remember:

​

• Failure to report can lead to continued harm for the child

• The abusive educator may harm other students

• You could face legal consequences for not reporting

​

5. Know Your School and State Requirements

​

Reporting protocols and professional conduct rules vary by state and district. Make sure you're familiar with the laws, training requirements, and procedures that apply to you.

​

Bring Awareness to Your School

​

Want to create change on your campus? Host a training, awareness day, or speaker event. Read more about what we can offer here and here.

​

Additional questions? Contact us here.

​

Together, we can build safer schools and protect every child’s right to learn free from harm.