"It's hard enough to get enough teachers at the moment without these sorts of things happening … It's not helpful for anyone."
Goulter believed the situation wouldn't be addressed until more people wanted to become teachers and were attracted to the profession. He wanted to see teachers paid more and given more time to teach.
To address fears of unfounded allegations teachers needed to be assured that if they were found not guilty the accusations would not affect their career, Goulter said.
"The whole profession is concerned about these sorts of incidents. There's no doubt at all about it.
"We need to think of ways people found to be innocent can have their careers reinstated."
New Zealand Secondary Principals' Council chair James Morris agreed with Goulter that unfounded allegations hurt the teaching profession.
"That is the concern in these cases that it affects people's willingness to join the profession.
"There are less men entering teaching at both primary and secondary levels, that's something I think would be good to try rebalance."
Morris was not aware of any recent examples of unfounded allegations being made against female teachers but said that "doesn't mean it doesn't happen".
"The fact is even if we get the process exactly right for both the employer, police and everyone involved it is a traumatic event for anyone who is accused of something like that.
"We know schools and employers balance with the needs of the employee and the victim and we need to be careful to make sure we're getting that balance right."
The New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association president Jack Boyle said fair and respectful representation of their members was a core part of their role. They provided professional and legal advice to their members in difficult situations.
"Teaching is a profession that carries great responsibility and risks that other professions don't face," Boyle said.
"Teachers who are our members can count on support if they face a situation at work that is unfair."
The PPTA set up a men's network for male teachers to discuss issues that impact men in the profession.
The PPTA had developed a document for guidance on Safe Interaction with Students. The document states that due to a teacher's authority they must accept that it is their responsibility to control the nature of relationships.
PPTA also supports members who have been the victims of sexual violence. The issues are complicated when students are the perpetrators of these incidents, Boyle said.
"PPTA works constantly to help schools create safe and respectful environments for all students, teachers and staff."
Behaviours which put teachers at risk
• Becoming overly-familiar with students
• Entering rooms where students are dressing
• Invading a student's personal space
• Touching students in any way that can be construed as inappropriate
• Making sexist remarks
• Using any sexual name to refer to a student or group of students
• Spending time privately with students
• Using erotic material, or allowing students to
• Condoning or encouraging students to use alcohol and drugs