2025 National Blueprint:
Understanding and Preventing Sexual Misconduct and Abuse by K–12 School Employees

A free, groundbreaking report from the nation’s leading child protection experts

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Every day, new headlines reveal a harsh reality: school employee sexual misconduct remains a hidden epidemic in U.S. schools. This landmark white paper — authored by nationally recognized researchers, survivor advocates, and policy leaders — explains how and why abuse occurs, who it affects, and what can be done to stop it.

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Accessible, data-driven, and easy to understand, the report synthesizes decades of research and offers 12 concrete recommendations to help schools, lawmakers, parents, and communities prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.

Inside, you’ll learn:

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• Why 1 in 10 students may experience sexual misconduct by a K–12 employee before graduation.

• How grooming behaviors and boundary violations can be recognized and stopped early.

• What schools and legislators can do right now to create safer learning environments.

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This collaborative effort — led by Faith Colson, Dr. Billie-Jo Grant, Dr. Jeffrey Haverland, Dr. Elizabeth Jeglic, Dr. Elisabeth Krimball, Dr. Glenn Lipson, Terri Miller, Dr. Charol Shakeshaft, Dr. Suruchi Sood, and Dr. Georgia Winters — is made possible entirely through the donated time and expertise of professionals dedicated to ending abuse in schools.

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Download the full report here — free and open to the public.

Because knowledge protects and action heals.