Some number of years ago (I was still a State Senator), Delaware passed a law (2007′s SB 29) broadening the use of civil penalties against employers of individuals involved in child sex crimes in Delaware. The State of Delaware was knowingly and purposely left out of that bill by the prime sponsor and others (notably budget writers). As a matter of fact, the prime sponsor looked me in the eye and said that there was never any intention to have the State included in the bill. These individuals were more interested in protecting the State’s budget and going after the Catholic Church than ensuring that all children are entitled to the same protection.
It was wrong at the time and remains wrong today. The headline for this post states exactly why it was and is wrong. Rep. Lavelle has been pushing to remove the State’s exemption since before the passage of the original bill. He continues this fight.
State Rep. Greg Lavelle Asks for Unified
Effort to Decrease Teacher Sex Crimes
– Legislator Asks to Meet with A.G. Biden to Discuss Strategies –
For Immediate Release: January 27, 2012
For More Information, Contact: Joe Fulgham, 302-744-4184
Citing a continuing series of sex crimes committed by Delaware educators, State Rep. Greg Lavelle (R-Sharpley) is calling for a bipartisan effort to curtail such crimes and punish perpetrators.
In the latest incident, a 38-year-old Sussex Tech teacher was arrested this week on charges he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student.
“There have been more than a dozen Delaware teachers charged in connection with alleged instances of sexual misconduct over the last five years,” Rep. Lavelle said. “As both a parent and a public servant, I find this disturbing on many levels.”
Rep. Lavelle said he is requesting a meeting with State Attorney General Beau Biden to ask for his input on crafting a strategy to reduce crimes of this type. “A.G. Biden is known for his efforts to protect children from sexual crimes and I’d welcome his insights on this issue.”
Lavelle, who is also House Minority Leader, said he has no trouble reaching across the aisle to find a solution to this problem. “There is nothing partisan about this. In my experience, members of both parties are of one mind when it comes to crimes against children.”
In addition to reaching out to the attorney general, Rep. Lavelle said he’d also like to partner with his General Assembly colleagues from both parties to move forward quickly on this. “I also intend to invite the Delaware State Education Association into this discussion,” he said. “When a teacher commits a sex crime against student it not only breaks a public trust, it erodes the collective reputations of all educators. The DSEA has a doubly-vested interest in this issue, not only to protect the children in their members’ charge, but to also safeguard the integrity of their profession.”
Rep. Lavelle said that while increasing penalties is one potential outcome of the process, he is open to other possibilities.
“I do think we need to look at more severe punishment, but that only deals with cases after a crime has occurred and the tragedy has unfolded,” Rep. Lavelle said. “I think there may be other things we can do to prevent these crimes from occurring in the first place. That’s one of the reasons I am encouraging full participation in this process.”
Rep. Lavelle said it is his hope that after meeting with the attorney general, and discussing the matter with his colleagues, legislation can be sent to the governor prior to the end of the current session on June 30th.
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The principle of equality before the law should be applied in all these cases. The sexual abuse of children in the public schools is as odious as sexual abuse of children in the Church. The crimes are the same.
Good for Greg Lavelle. Having first hand knowledge of a trusted public school teacher preying on young students, I commend efforts to protect our kids.
The sex crimes committed by the Church are one degree more wicked – in as much as priest pedophiles seduced us claiming they were agents of the Father Son and the Holy Ghost.
Penn State Coach, Boy Scouts, Church crimes, teachers, the good Doctor Bradley, makes me suspicious of any adult who finds it necessary to compulsively surround themselves with children. Unfortunate to think that way, but better paranoid than have your child a victim.
There is an ongoing investigation of an incident that happen at Glasgow High School January 25, 2012
see school leaders communication on school’s website
http://www.glasgowhs.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=232725&id=0
Something very inappropriate happen between at student and teacher. The Delaware State Police is conducting an investigation. However, it’s been a week and not further details has been released. As far as I know the teacher /staff person is not currently working in the school. What I don’t like is the school leader seems to be the point person rather than the district superintendent. And to date their has been no public comment by the super. Glasgow in one of those partisanship zone schools aka a partial state takeover. I just hope there is no political interference in this investigation to downplay situation as no to give the state dept of ed and Markell education czar a black-eye.The incident could be minor in some eyes and I don’t want to see it turnout to let’s make a deal! Teacher resigns and later pops up somewhere else in the news .If the teacher crossed physical boundaries he not need to be in our schools anywhere in this country.
All school employees are subjected to a criminal background check. The system could impose the death penalty for sex offensives against students and children and it wouldn’t end these incidents. So I think we’re down to whipping post or public stoning!