Teacher Sexual Misconduct: Grooming Patterns and Female Offenders

Abstract

Educator sexual misconduct has received increasing attention over the past decade. The attention has exposed a number of concerning issues, including a lack of formal research in the area and difficulties in recognizing and prosecuting cases. Public responses to high profile cases of sexual misconduct involving female teachers suggest that gender-biased views on sex offenders remain prominent in society. This article will review the literature on female teacher sexual misconduct in addition to what is known about grooming patterns and warning signs. Finally, current dilemmas in resolving cases of educator sexual misconduct will be discussed, and basic prevention strategies will be recommended.

Keywords:

• educator sexual abuse
• female sex offenders
• boundary violations
• student victimization

Additional information

Notes on contributors

James Knoll

James Knoll, MD, is an associate professor and director of forensic psychiatry at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, and the forensic fellowship director at the Central New York Psychiatric Center, Syracuse, New York.