More Teachers Behaving Badly
This time it’s a 29-year-old former teacher from Houston, Texas, who – after being arrested and charged with sexual abuse of a child in February – is now facing additional charges of having sex with the 15-year-old student in her classroom multiple times.
Read about it and watch the news video here.* Afterwards, make sure you scroll down to the bottom of the page and take a look at “Other teacher scandals.” There are 31 cases in all. I couldn’t help but notice how many of these abusers are women.
Parents, Talk To Your Kids
I send this to you as a reminder to be mindful of any situation where your child is left alone with another adult. I don’t care who it
might be – a neighbor, a family friend, a relative and yes, even your son’s or daughter’s beloved soccer or baseball coach.
Then take it one step further – sit down and talk to your middle-schoolers and teens about this type of abuse and what they can do to protect themselves. Remind them that their bodies are sacred and no one – not a teacher, a friend’s parent or even an older kid – has the right to touch them in ways that make them uncomfortable or embarrassed.
Ironically, my novel - LITTLE 15 – has already prompted some readers to start up a dialogue with their kids. In fact, several readers have commented in their reviews that LITTLE 15 is a book that every parent and teen should read:
“Little 15, is an extremely well written novel that provides the cautionary tale that all teen and parents should heed. Not only does this story speak to the events that have become far too common in todays news, but it also serves as a sounding board that I imagine so many young girls could easily identify with.”—Author Thomas Amo, An Apple For Zoe
“If you’ve been a teen, if you care about teens, if you have a teen you want to talk to, read this novel.”—Author Sheela Deeth, A Flower Child
“[Reading Little 15] definitely makes me want to have an open relationship/conversation with my daughter when she turns 15.”—Reader Jenny Martin
Would You Give My Book To a Teenager?
Although I’m still on the fence on whether or not a 15-year-old should read my novel, I had a reader tell me this past weekend that she has already passed my book to her 14-year-old daughter.
“I want her to be aware of what happens in the real world,” she told me. Plus, she said, a teacher at her daughter’s middle school has already gotten caught carrying on a relationship with an eight-grader, anyway.
So, my dear readers, would you give LITTLE 15 to a 15-year-old to read?
*Thank you, Christie O. Tate, for passing along this news tip to me.
Should a 15-year-old read LITTLE 15?
Good on you. Yes, absolutely. I am giving Maddie Ripple to read when she turns 13. It’s graphic, but it’s real and she needs to know. Please keep telling people, keep talking. Sharing this on FB.
I will, El. I promise. It’s amazing what LITTLE 15 is turning out to be. It’s actually helping to raise awareness. So perhaps that why God gave me this story. Can’t wait to read RIPPLE!
Wanna beta read, LOL?
Bring it!
Really? It’s ready!
I’d be honored. I’m finishing up a NF book right now so I’ll move yours up to be next in line.
Awesome. What is your e-mail, my friend? Mine is farrisburke@cox.net.
Still reading so I can’t comment on what age I would give this book to my daughter to read. But…kids need to know from an early age that their body is sacred. The earlier we talk to our kids, the greater the likelihood that they will be comfortable talking with us should something happen. It gets more difficult with pre-teens and teens as they have hormones coursing through their veins, and so they are at even higher risk for abuse because on some level it can feel good physically, it can feel good to have the attention of an older man/woman. Oh…I could go on and on, but I won’t. Keep up the fantastic work on raising awareness!!!
You are welcome, Carrie! I couldn’t have said it better myself. It’s such a confusing time in a teens life when hormones are raging and self-esteem issues run rampant, which can leave them vulnerable. Thank you for your insight!
Great post and I wonder why the abusers are women….that’s a bit of a reversal right? I wonder if these women are drawn to teaching because it gives them access to young children or what. Of course I love your book and hope Sadie and Simon will read it…I am going to have to rely on others to help me discern what age would be best for this. It’s sad we have to discuss this, but it’s better than ignoring it until it’s too late. You do a great service.
Ian constantly asks when he can read LITTLE 15. And I always tell him not any time soon. Perhaps age 15 would be apropos? BTW, your comments are consistently coming in as spam. I just let them out of detention a few minutes ago. Have no idea why WP is picking on you!
Steph, you know I don’t have kids, but if I did, yes, I would certainly give it to them. Your book speaks volumes and with young Lauren leading them on her journey, I think a kid would be much more inclined to read it.