What Is Educator Sexual Misconduct?

 

​

Educator sexual misconduct is preventable—when schools are equipped to recognize the signs and respond effectively. Prevention starts with adults: school staff, administrators, and community members who are trained, vigilant, and committed to student safety.​

​​

Educator sexual misconduct includes a wide range of inappropriate, exploitative, and abusive behaviors by school employees toward students. These behaviors can be:

​

• Physical: Unwanted touching, forced kissing or hugging, sexual assault

• Verbal: Sexual comments, jokes, or suggestions

• Visual: Sharing pornography, sexual exhibitionism

• Digital: Inappropriate messages, photos, or videos sent via text, email, or social media

​

These actions may or may not be criminal—but all are unacceptable in an educational setting.​

​​

​

Contact Sexual Abuse

​

Contact abuse involves any sexual activity where an adult or older youth has physical sexual contact with a child.

​

Examples include:

​

• Touching or fondling a child’s genitals or other private parts

• Oral, anal, or vaginal penetration

• Making a child touch the abuser or another person in a sexual way

• Sexualized kissing or “cuddling”

​

It is not limited to violent or forceful acts — manipulation, grooming, or coercion are often involved.

​

​

Non-Contact Sexual Abuse

Non-contact abuse occurs without physical touch, but still exploits, sexualizes, or endangers a child.

​

Examples include:

​

• Exposing a child to pornography or sexualized materials

• Forcing or coercing a child to watch sexual acts

• Sending or requesting sexually explicit messages, images, or videos (“sextortion”)

• Voyeurism — watching a child in private situations, such as bathing or changing

• Sexualized verbal harassment

​

Non-contact abuse is just as serious as contact abuse. It can deeply impact a child’s sense of safety, trust, and self-worth.

 

The Scope of the Problem​

 

According to a nationwide study of 8th to 11th graders, nearly 7% of students—about 3.5 million children—reported unwanted physical sexual contact from an adult at school, most often a teacher or coach (Shakeshaft, 2004).

When including verbal, visual, and non-contact sexual misconduct, that number rises to nearly 10% of students—approximately 4.5 million young people.​

​

Why Many Cases Go Unreported​

 

Despite the numbers, most cases of educator sexual misconduct go unreported. Too often, colleagues and administrators notice red flags but hesitate to act out of fear of being wrong or harming a coworker’s reputation. Yet failing to report can result in far greater harm—to students.

​

This silence creates an unsafe environment. Schools must foster a culture of accountability and high behavioral standards for all staff—not just in policy, but in everyday practice.​

​

Adults Are Responsible for School Safety​

 

Most abuse prevention programs focus on teaching children how to say “no,” recognize danger, or report abuse. While these skills are important, it is not the responsibility of children to protect themselves from adult misconduct.

Adults must:

​

• Know the warning signs of grooming and boundary violations

• Speak up when they see questionable behavior

• Enforce policies consistently and transparently

• Create environments where students feel safe reporting concerns

​

Know the Red Flags​

 

Signs that an educator may be crossing boundaries include:

​

• Spending excessive one-on-one time with a student

• Favoritism or special gifts

• Inappropriate or personal communication outside school hours

• Talking to students about sexual topics

• Touching that seems "accidental" or unnecessary

​

A Call to Action​

 

Preventing sexual misconduct in schools begins with awareness and action. The more we understand the patterns of behavior and the environments that allow abuse to flourish, the more effectively we can protect children.

​

Let’s shift the responsibility from children to the adults in charge—and create schools that are safe, respectful, and accountable.

​

Do you need to report suspected abuse? Click here to learn how.

​

You can find our recommended reading list here.​​