NCJ Number
178658
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 23 Issue: 8 Dated: August 1999 Pages: 833-843
Date Published
1999
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This research attempts to determine teachers' awareness of the potential for child abuse allegations against themselves and the effects on the teaching environment.
Abstract
Of 3,000 questionnaires sent to a random sample of New York State teachers, 515 were returned. Fifty-six percent of the respondents were aware of false allegations made against a teacher in their school district. Approximately one-third were concerned that a child abuse allegation could be made against them. In response to a vignette, 42 percent advised a new teacher against being alone in a room with a student; 62 percent advised against casual touching; and 70 percent 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. Fear of abuse allegations may cause teachers to limit contact with students, with potentially adverse consequences for students and the teaching environment. Tables, references