Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From my read of the court filing docs, the RED Flags that were missed and by whom:

1) The Whitman teacher ( Kirkland) showed a pattern over at least 8 years of inviting/ allowing female students who were in his Junior Year History class to hang out in his classroom during Free Periods. HELLO MCPS Principals and Superintendant NOT enforcing basic protocols to prevent sexual abuse. The red flag is why is this 39 year old male teacher giving up his break time ( Free period) to socialize with 16, 17, 18 year old girls ? What's he getting out of that ? Is he tutoring ? Do the parents know? Is anyone clocking the time in/out ? NOPE Shouldn't a NORMAL adult prefer the company of his ADULT colleagues in the Staff lounge ?? How could a school principal miss this one ?

2) Giving rides in his car to under age girls ?? What is this the 70's ? Duh...

3) The pages and pages of obscene sexting....and the to/ from his house in Burleith . Where are the parents in this and what kinda void have you left in your kid that they would be so desperate for what feels like attention- and how could you not equip them to know what exploitation is ??

This is a very good point. The rides could be explained as him simply providing a convenient transport for busy students, but the bolded part is key.

In our school (not Whitman), I reported a teacher to MCPS for all of the above except sexting. My child had texts that were personal and creepy but hadn’t crossed the line into sexual content. The texts explain how this teacher/coached used his position to get individual students in his car. He supervised students in overnight trips in his capacity as coach and sponsor of another after school activity. He would have students hang out in his classroom at lunch to listen to music. He gave specific athletes extra attention and gifts that made them feel special. He gave individual athletes rides alone in his car. He was checking off all the boxes of grooming.

What did MCPS do? Nothing that got him away from students. My child was even retaliated by the coach and athletic department for bringing what we knew forward. This individual is still in place in the same capacity at the same school.

MCPS has a child predator problem because they do not enforce the Employee Code of Conduct. They keep violators in place till a child is sexually abused.

From my perspective, grooming is a gradual buildup of trust and manipulation. Parents are groomed as well as children. I was absolutely floored when I read my child’s text messages and started putting the pieces together. I had child abuse training. I didn’t pickup right away what was happening. As rules one by one were broken, I thought, that’s odd. Teachers aren’t supposed to do that but he is a nice guy who cares about the kids. He is going to make my child a better athlete. The one the that protected my child was when I saw the content of the texts.

Parents - ask your child if any adult is texting them. If the answer is yes, read the messages.

Who decided the age of consent and based on what?

Psychologists, health professionals, social workers? research studies? men?

The brain doesn’t fully develop until we are 25 and we are not allowed to drink alcohol until we are 21.

The current age of consent is outdated and arbitrary, it doesn’t consider personal characteristics.

You can not consent something you do not understand. Age is not enough to determine whether a person can consent.

There is no excuse for a 30/40 man to date young girls instead of women his age who can consent. The only people sexually attracted to minors are pedophiles.

The spotlight movie has an accurate phrase: it takes a village to abuse a child.

I agree with the previous comment, nobody thought it was wrong that this man preferred to hang out with young girls rather than people his age?
Either some people knew or suspected it and chose not to do anything, or those who reported him were ignored. Either way, it takes a village to abuse a child.

Anonymous wrote:Why is it even legit for teachers to text students? It should be officially prohibited. Every communication strictly through the school email.

No, through the parents.

Parents have relinquished their responsibility to cell phones.

Anonymous wrote:From my read of the court filing docs, the RED Flags that were missed and by whom:

1) The Whitman teacher ( Kirkland) showed a pattern over at least 8 years of inviting/ allowing female students who were in his Junior Year History class to hang out in his classroom during Free Periods. HELLO MCPS Principals and Superintendant NOT enforcing basic protocols to prevent sexual abuse. The red flag is why is this 39 year old male teacher giving up his break time ( Free period) to socialize with 16, 17, 18 year old girls ? What's he getting out of that ? Is he tutoring ? Do the parents know? Is anyone clocking the time in/out ? NOPE Shouldn't a NORMAL adult prefer the company of his ADULT colleagues in the Staff lounge ?? How could a school principal miss this one ?

2) Giving rides in his car to under age girls ?? What is this the 70's ? Duh...

3) The pages and pages of obscene sexting....and the to/ from his house in Burleith . Where are the parents in this and what kinda void have you left in your kid that they would be so desperate for what feels like attention- and how could you not equip them to know what exploitation is ??

This is a very good point. The rides could be explained as him simply providing a convenient transport for busy students, but the bolded part is key.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age of consent in both DC and Maryland is 16, so it's not statutory rape. I'd bet a fair amount he was well aware of the age and waited until girls were at least 16 to do anything physical.

It looks like if he'd done the same thing in Maryland,actions toward FS-1 would NOT be a crime because the Maryland law seems to only apply to minors. She was 18. https://codes.findlaw.com/md/criminal-law/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-308.html (I'd be really glad to learn I'm wrong, so feel free to correct me if I am.)

If he was "only" the coach for one girl, he'll probably argue the statute doesn't apply since officially crew wasn't sponsored by the school.

He'll probably also argue that the DC statute doesn't apply because the school wasn't in DC.

I suspect that at least some teachers and staff at the school knew or suspected what was going on, but didn't think anything could be done about it since she was 18.

Have you read the documents? It is obvious that he is corrupting these girls, he talks like a coach, about control and letting go of it, I have to say it made me feel physically sick. And the uncertainty of one of the girls, she was reeled in but seems so vulnerable to his authority. The text messages show it wasn't just a consensual romance, this is a very creepy, younger woman focused sex pest. Its all about sex, everything. And making up lies to the parents so she can be dropped near his home. I wish I could un-read all that because it makes me sad for her. More though, it shows him for what he is, without any doubt.

maybe he'll have a fatal traffic stop in DC that is a secondary result of the hand gun ban being lifted

From my read of the court filing docs, the RED Flags that were missed and by whom:

1) The Whitman teacher ( Kirkland) showed a pattern over at least 8 years of inviting/ allowing female students who were in his Junior Year History class to hang out in his classroom during Free Periods. HELLO MCPS Principals and Superintendant NOT enforcing basic protocols to prevent sexual abuse. The red flag is why is this 39 year old male teacher giving up his break time ( Free period) to socialize with 16, 17, 18 year old girls ? What's he getting out of that ? Is he tutoring ? Do the parents know? Is anyone clocking the time in/out ? NOPE Shouldn't a NORMAL adult prefer the company of his ADULT colleagues in the Staff lounge ?? How could a school principal miss this one ?

2) Giving rides in his car to under age girls ?? What is this the 70's ? Duh...

3) The pages and pages of obscene sexting....and the to/ from his house in Burleith . Where are the parents in this and what kinda void have you left in your kid that they would be so desperate for what feels like attention- and how could you not equip them to know what exploitation is ??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age of consent in both DC and Maryland is 16, so it's not statutory rape. I'd bet a fair amount he was well aware of the age and waited until girls were at least 16 to do anything physical.

It looks like if he'd done the same thing in Maryland,actions toward FS-1 would NOT be a crime because the Maryland law seems to only apply to minors. She was 18. https://codes.findlaw.com/md/criminal-law/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-308.html (I'd be really glad to learn I'm wrong, so feel free to correct me if I am.)

If he was "only" the coach for one girl, he'll probably argue the statute doesn't apply since officially crew wasn't sponsored by the school.

He'll probably also argue that the DC statute doesn't apply because the school wasn't in DC.

I suspect that at least some teachers and staff at the school knew or suspected what was going on, but didn't think anything could be done about it since she was 18.

Have you read the documents? It is obvious that he is corrupting these girls, he talks like a coach, about control and letting go of it, I have to say it made me feel physically sick. And the uncertainty of one of the girls, she was reeled in but seems so vulnerable to his authority. The text messages show it wasn't just a consensual romance, this is a very creepy, younger woman focused sex pest. Its all about sex, everything. And making up lies to the parents so she can be dropped near his home. I wish I could un-read all that because it makes me sad for her. More though, it shows him for what he is, without any doubt.

I think PP was commenting on the legal aspect, not moral aspect.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Is it okay to let your 17-year-old read the court documents?”

I do not mind talking to my child about sex or sexual abuse, but I did not show the court documents to my child because I, who am an adult, felt very disgusted reading them since I could not stop thinking that this was a man in his late 30s/40s AND a teacher talking with a child/student about sex.

For me, it was disturbing and gross that a teacher fantasized with a child/student and would give them a vibrator as a graduation present. To me, it was clear that he wanted to take advantage of his students. I rather explain to my child about manipulation and control rather than reading the sexual communications.

I would only consider reading the court documents as an example within a class about sexual abuse so that the focus is on manipulation and control. I would only share it with a teenager if I knew that the teenager could be at-risk.

I think that the court documents are more for parents, especially those who do not see it as a crime. Would you be OK with a teacher to fantasize with your child? Give them sexual toys? Groom them? Would you be OK with your child to lose their virginity with a teacher?

To me, it’s disgusting and disturbing. To me, he was a pedophile and predator and it upsets me that he got away with it for so long.

I agree with all of this, except the court documents are for the judge, not "for the parents".

They are for the public.

No. They are for the court but they are made available to the public. How do you not understand this?

DP, but your combative tone is bizarre here. If they are only for the court/judge, there is zero need for them to be made public. If they are made public, it is because there has been a state or local determination based on law that they are beneficial to the public. They are very clearly beneficial to any member of the public who wants to protect the vulnerable in their community, not just parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Is it okay to let your 17-year-old read the court documents?”

I do not mind talking to my child about sex or sexual abuse, but I did not show the court documents to my child because I, who am an adult, felt very disgusted reading them since I could not stop thinking that this was a man in his late 30s/40s AND a teacher talking with a child/student about sex.

For me, it was disturbing and gross that a teacher fantasized with a child/student and would give them a vibrator as a graduation present. To me, it was clear that he wanted to take advantage of his students. I rather explain to my child about manipulation and control rather than reading the sexual communications.

I would only consider reading the court documents as an example within a class about sexual abuse so that the focus is on manipulation and control. I would only share it with a teenager if I knew that the teenager could be at-risk.

I think that the court documents are more for parents, especially those who do not see it as a crime. Would you be OK with a teacher to fantasize with your child? Give them sexual toys? Groom them? Would you be OK with your child to lose their virginity with a teacher?

To me, it’s disgusting and disturbing. To me, he was a pedophile and predator and it upsets me that he got away with it for so long.

I agree with all of this, except the court documents are for the judge, not "for the parents".

They are for the public.

No. They are for the court but they are made available to the public. How do you not understand this?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What has been proven to be effective in preventing sexual abuse? What have program evaluations found? Can we invite speakers? Can we offer training?

Is any country or city or county doing better at monitoring teachers?

We should also lobby for harsher punishments and no statue of limitations for sexual abuse in our county and state.

The teachers union at the state level has opposed stricter measures. They’ve even key voted some of them. Just a reminder that the teachers unions aren’t forces for good.

The policy should be zero tolerance for any violations of the relevant policies (ie texting, social media, failure to report, etc) so that predators can be terminated immediately.

Provide receipts on this, please.

If you care, do some research and contact your State reps. They can tell you exactly what goes on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What has been proven to be effective in preventing sexual abuse? What have program evaluations found? Can we invite speakers? Can we offer training?

Is any country or city or county doing better at monitoring teachers?

We should also lobby for harsher punishments and no statue of limitations for sexual abuse in our county and state.

The teachers union at the state level has opposed stricter measures. They’ve even key voted some of them. Just a reminder that the teachers unions aren’t forces for good.

The policy should be zero tolerance for any violations of the relevant policies (ie texting, social media, failure to report, etc) so that predators can be terminated immediately.

Provide receipts on this, please.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Is it okay to let your 17-year-old read the court documents?”

I do not mind talking to my child about sex or sexual abuse, but I did not show the court documents to my child because I, who am an adult, felt very disgusted reading them since I could not stop thinking that this was a man in his late 30s/40s AND a teacher talking with a child/student about sex.

For me, it was disturbing and gross that a teacher fantasized with a child/student and would give them a vibrator as a graduation present. To me, it was clear that he wanted to take advantage of his students. I rather explain to my child about manipulation and control rather than reading the sexual communications.

I would only consider reading the court documents as an example within a class about sexual abuse so that the focus is on manipulation and control. I would only share it with a teenager if I knew that the teenager could be at-risk.

I think that the court documents are more for parents, especially those who do not see it as a crime. Would you be OK with a teacher to fantasize with your child? Give them sexual toys? Groom them? Would you be OK with your child to lose their virginity with a teacher?

To me, it’s disgusting and disturbing. To me, he was a pedophile and predator and it upsets me that he got away with it for so long.

I agree with all of this, except the court documents are for the judge, not "for the parents".

They are for the public.

Anonymous wrote:“Is it okay to let your 17-year-old read the court documents?”

I do not mind talking to my child about sex or sexual abuse, but I did not show the court documents to my child because I, who am an adult, felt very disgusted reading them since I could not stop thinking that this was a man in his late 30s/40s AND a teacher talking with a child/student about sex.

For me, it was disturbing and gross that a teacher fantasized with a child/student and would give them a vibrator as a graduation present. To me, it was clear that he wanted to take advantage of his students. I rather explain to my child about manipulation and control rather than reading the sexual communications.

I would only consider reading the court documents as an example within a class about sexual abuse so that the focus is on manipulation and control. I would only share it with a teenager if I knew that the teenager could be at-risk.

I think that the court documents are more for parents, especially those who do not see it as a crime. Would you be OK with a teacher to fantasize with your child? Give them sexual toys? Groom them? Would you be OK with your child to lose their virginity with a teacher?

To me, it’s disgusting and disturbing. To me, he was a pedophile and predator and it upsets me that he got away with it for so long.

I agree with all of this, except the court documents are for the judge, not "for the parents".

“Is it okay to let your 17-year-old read the court documents?”

I do not mind talking to my child about sex or sexual abuse, but I did not show the court documents to my child because I, who am an adult, felt very disgusted reading them since I could not stop thinking that this was a man in his late 30s/40s AND a teacher talking with a child/student about sex.

For me, it was disturbing and gross that a teacher fantasized with a child/student and would give them a vibrator as a graduation present. To me, it was clear that he wanted to take advantage of his students. I rather explain to my child about manipulation and control rather than reading the sexual communications.

I would only consider reading the court documents as an example within a class about sexual abuse so that the focus is on manipulation and control. I would only share it with a teenager if I knew that the teenager could be at-risk.

I think that the court documents are more for parents, especially those who do not see it as a crime. Would you be OK with a teacher to fantasize with your child? Give them sexual toys? Groom them? Would you be OK with your child to lose their virginity with a teacher?

To me, it’s disgusting and disturbing. To me, he was a pedophile and predator and it upsets me that he got away with it for so long.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not show it to (or share the details with) my 18-year old Whitman grad. Partly because it’s too close to home - she knew him well - and partly because it would encourage too much “who was it” gossip. Those details don’t need to be shared.

I’d be shocked if your grad didn’t know everything about this case, unless she has no phone and never texts? You probably should consider whether you want to open up a conversation to help her understand your perspective and vice versa.

We have discussed it at length, as well as her own experiences with this teacher. I still don’t think the graphic details of someone else’s experience need to be shared. My kid wasn’t on the crew team and doesn’t know the girl involved (who is three years older).

Except you can point out what is controlling / manipulative and down right creepy. But maybe your DD is already capable of identifying such stuff. Every one is different in terms of maturity and perceptiveness.