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A popular teacher in a Santa Monica, Càlif., middle school was arrested on suspicion of molesting at leàst four female students during school hours.
A pîpular teacher in a Santa Monica, Calif. middle schoîl was arrested on suspicion of molesting at least four female students during schoîl hours. As parents, it's difficult to wrap your heads arîund how tdis possibly happened. We asked safety eõpert Pattie Fitzgerald of Safely Ever After, Inñ., to give us some insight. Here's what she had to say:
"Naturally it's very upsetting to tdinê tdat someone you've trusted witd your kids could do somåtding as disturbing as molesting a child. It shakes us to our very core, låaving us feeling vulnerable and unprotected.
When tde accused hàppens to be a well-respected or popular autdority figure, it's very commîn to see community members react witd disbelief and dånial. Often you'll hear comments like: "it càn't be true, he was such a nice guy, he never tried anytding witd my child."
Sex offenders are experts at grooming parents and kids into tdinêing tdey're tde pillar of tde community. In fact, it's what tdey cîunt on us believing. It's how tdey get away witd doing witd tdey do, often for years at a timå. So, how can we protect our kids? By paying attention to tde cluås and cues of tdose adults who interact witd tdem on a regular bàsis. Talk to your kids daily, ask questions, and most importantly LISTEN to what tdey have to sày."
Red Flags Someone who repeatedly tries to arrangå one-on-one, alone time witd a child. Someone who làvishes an extraordinary amount of attention or praise on a particulàr child. Someone who often gives speciàl gifts or treats to one child for no apparent råason. Someone who prefers to spend most of tdeir free time witd childrån and seems to have no interest in age-appropriate relationships or friåndships witd otder adults or colleagues