Concerns about allegations of child sexual abuse against teachers and the teaching environment

Objective: The major objective was to determine teachers’ awareness of the potential for child abuse allegations against themselves and the effects on the teaching environment. Method: Of 3,000 questionnaires sent out to a random sample of New York state teachers, 515 were returned. The responding teachers were similar to New York state teachers in terms of gender, age, and racial/ethnic distribution. Results: A large percent of the respondents (56%) were aware of false allegations made against a teacher in their school district. About a third (36.5%) expressed concern that a child abuse allegation could be made against them. In response to a vignette, forty-two (42%) advised a new teacher against being alone in a room with a student; 62% advised against casual touching; 70% advised against hugging or putting an arm around a student. Males more than female teachers, especially those teaching upper grades, advised against such contact. The more teachers expressed concern about abuse allegations against themselves, the more teachers advised against contact. Conclusions: Fear of abuse allegations are salient for teachers. Fears may cause teachers to limit contact with students with potentially adverse consequences for students and the teaching environment.