[Sciencewoman]

As shocking as this is, incest and sexual abuse of children unfortunately happens much more than we want to realize. My husband is an elementary teacher, I am a former elementary teacher and now professor of elementary education, and my mother is a retired school counselor. My mother has always told me that I would not believe the things she heard in her office, and she also told me that the county we live in and grew up in has the highest rate of incest in the state. This county is absolutely predominantly middle-class/upper middle class suburbia. I have had to report cases of child abuse, and I have taught children who were already known victims. In some cases, the victims frequently talked about sex, drew graphic pictures, touched and spoke to classmates inappropriately, etc. I firmly believe that at least one of these children is a victim.

School employees are mandated reporters. That means that the teacher, bus driver, etc. must report all suspicions to DSS, Child Protective Services, etc., within 24 hours of their suspicions, witnessing of acts, having a child self-report to them, etc. They should all know this, and what the proper procedure is. You may want to follow up with school administration. I wouldn't worry about your child being ostracized by the children; it's the (guilty) parent(s) who tend to become irate. My husband had to testify in court and have police protection for a day, and one of my former principals was attacked by a parent after her children were taken from her by Protective Services.

Aside from the likelihood of abuse, children are being exposed to horror movies and adult movies, which most of us realize are completely inappropriate for children. But, not everyone shares the same values. When I taught 5th grade reproductive health, we had a question jar, in which students could place questions that they may have been uncomfortable asking out loud. I remember a student asking, "In those movies, why are the men always sperming on the ladies?" Sorry to gross everyone out. That's just one example. In this case, exposure to porn could also be a contributing factor.

Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer...but reporting was the right thing to do. You don't even want to hear what my mom had to say about the situation at Penn State.