TX- Why Do Some Teachers Get in Relationships With Students?

This story raise a long list of questions. Apparently experts have a way to tell the difference between the "opportunist" and the "fixated" offenders, and the opportunist is not a danger to children. If true, why do lawmakers not take that into consideration and remove those offenders from registries? That alone would make law enforcement's job easier. Also, why do registries not indicate who the fixated ones are? I also notice the absence of the term "predator" from the discussion about teacher offenders, at least until they become a registrant, then they are spoken of as a predator. Many questions arise when you take the time to read between the lines of the usual fear monger; the media.

7-30-2008 Texas:

HOUSTON -- It seems like we hear about it more and more, every year: School teachers having sex with under-age students. What turns a teacher into a seducer? How can we protect our children?

Sex offender therapist Rosslyn Granger counsels many former teachers serving probation for engaging in sexual conduct with students.

In most cases, she says, the teacher doesn't plan to get involved sexually with the child, but distorted thinking and personal problems lead them to cross boundaries until they become blurred.

She calls this type of offender the "opportunist." They are usually younger, less experienced teachers, men or women, who are capable of having normal, age-appropriate relationships, but incapable of making proper choices when their job puts them in close, regular contact with teenage children. These offenders, Granger says, can be successfully treated and, with proper therapy, generally pose no danger around children.

The teacher-abusers we hear about less often are those Granger calls the "fixated" offenders. These are the offenders we think of when we think of "child predators." They are usually males, generally prey on younger children, often have multiple victims, and take careful measures not to get caught.

Fixated offenders, Granger says, look for opportunities to molest children. Opportunists, she says, "bump into them." Both are a danger to kids, if not treated. Fixated offenders are never safe around children.

When a school teacher engages in sexual activity with an under-age student, Granger says, it is always damaging to the child. The female child will suffer more emotional damage.

Males may become more sexually aggressive around their peers and, without proper therapy, may have difficulty having normal, age-appropriate relationships.

While there may be no way to stop child molestation by teachers, Granger believes schools could go a long way toward reducing the number of cases that occur. She suggests school districts offer courses to young teachers on the risks of crossing boundaries and how to appropriately react if students are behaving sexually toward them.

Parents can help protect their own children, she says, by paying attention to them and being aware of any behavioral changes and/or unusually close relationships with a teacher, especially if they exclude other students. ..News Source.. by FXO 26 Texas