When Teachers Are Discovered to Have Sexually Abused Students: The Role of Child Psychiatric Consultation.

Tragically, investigations have shown many cases of teachers in private schools sexually abusing students.1 Most cases occurred from the 1960s through the 1990s and involved eccentric, creative, highly valued, and long-serving teachers. Some were indiscriminate predators who abused many children, others abused one or a few students, and some "groomed" students by developing a special emotional relationship during high school and then initiating a sexual relationship after graduation. Often, abusers and victims were vulnerable because of low self-esteem, depression, divorce, or substance use. Most of the abuse concerned a male teacher and a female student, but some concerned same-sex teacher and student or a female teacher and a male student.