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Teachers Often Protect Children

In their anger and horror over stories about children being abused, readers may overlook a factor cited very frequently: teachers who bring such crimes to the attention of the authorities.

It happened again this week in the case of a Monroe County man accused of 14 criminal charges including child rape. Among other factors in arresting the man was a report from a teacher concerning allegations made by a child.

In both our states, public school teachers are required to report situations in which they believe children have been abused. Our experience has been that educators need no prodding from the law to consider protecting the children in their classrooms a fundamental duty.

In many cases, the very first indication law enforcement agencies receive that children are in danger comes from their teachers.

Making allegations of child abuse and/or neglect is unpleasant, of course. Those making them risk incurring the wrath of parents or guardians.

But the teachers continue to take that risk, in all likelihood saving many youngsters from abuse and neglect. Bless them for putting the children first.

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