http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2014/02/23/former-framingham-high-social-worker-suing-school-system/ZWz3YeJNtBuh4dH6yUc0tN/story.html
A former Framingham High School social worker who resigned last March after he said administrators mishandled sexual assault complaints against a male student is suing the town’s school system, alleging that district officials had pressured him to step down.
This school social worker requested action for a student who sexually assulted two people on different incidents. Isn't that his job? Instead, he got reprimanded by the school's faculty and was retaliated against. This is what this school social worker gets for trying to protect the kids in the school?
Throughout the years stories are told time and time again about schools sweeping things under the rug whether it's a teacher sleeping with students, a teacher changing a star athletes grades, students assaulting other students, etc. We hear it time and again. As a school social worker, part of your job is to make sure that the school takes appropriate actions when it comes to circumstances that put your students in harms way. I find it appalling that this school social worker was coerced into resigning after standing up for what he believes in and protecting his students.
GOOD FOR HIM!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that when incidents happen its all about PR and image of the school or the district. Money and time go into making sure the school will survive the incident but what about the students or teachers involved? Especially if someone was harmed?
My sisters high school, before they went there, had one of these "incidents". The gym teacher was involved sexually with a student and it resulted in a pregnancy. Even though this is a very widely known school, very few people know about this story because it was hushed under the rug.
I congratulate this social worker, for sticking to the code of ethics and advocating for whats right through the challenges and barriers. He is a good example of who we should all hope to be.
I agree with you Carolyn, too many things are pushed under the rug. It is also sad to see a story like this! One great thing to remember is that social workers function under a different "code" than teachers or administrators. Putting one social worker in every school minimizes their options for back up support on issues like this one.
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