Male teacher speaks out about fear of unfounded sexual misconduct allegations

One male teacher has a self-imposed rule to never be alone with a female student. Photo / 123RF

Fear of being accused of sexual misconduct from students is a constant worry for male teachers and affects their ability to do their job.

A male teacher, who wishes to remain anonymous, has spoken to the Herald about the stress and anxiety he has experienced avoiding unfounded sexual allegations.

While working in a Northland school two Year 9 students spread a rumour he was a paedophile and a pervert. They told other teachers and students, another member of staff then alerted the teacher.

"I picked up rubbish next to her bag and because I got into her personal space I was a pervert and a paedophile. The students didn't understand what that word actually meant.

"They were throwing this word around that could completely destroy my entire career."

To protect himself the teacher made a self-imposed rule where he will never be in a classroom alone with a female student.

"I will literally leave the room.

"If a female student wants additional help for an assessment, I deliberately have to have that meeting in a public location and ask another student to be there on false grounds.

"Even though society is supposed to trust me to teach that child, I don't feel like I can trust society to trust me."

The teacher believed there were a range of reasons men don't go into teaching such as old fashioned gender roles perpetuating that teachers should be female. But the fear of allegations was an additional obstacle.

Additionally, he said teachers had hundreds of interactions with students every day. This could make it difficult for teachers to remember specific details on what they did or said even a number of days ago.

He also wanted to see clearer information about exactly what legal support was available to teachers.

Yesterday, the Herald published a story about a different Northland teacher shelling out almost $100,000 to clear his name after four girls alleged that he had touched them inappropriately. The teacher was acquitted.

Both the New Zealand Educational Institute national secretary Paul Goulter and New Zealand Secondary Principals' Council chairman James Morris agreed that fear of unfounded allegations could partially be responsible for the gender gap in teaching staff.

Morris said allegations were a traumatic event for anyone wrongly accused.

"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 to rebalance."

A spokeswoman for the Education Council said if a complaint or mandatory report was made to them the teacher must be treated fairly. This included the opportunity to know what the evidence is against them and to provide a response.

Teachers were encouraged to seek support if they were the subject of a complaint, the spokeswoman said. That could be through a professional leader at the school, a union representative or legal advice.

"If the allegation is of a criminal nature, we strongly encourage teachers to talk to a lawyer as early as possible.

"Teachers can also phone the Education Council 04 471 0852 and we will talk them through the issue if it is a complaint or a report that we are dealing with."

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.