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Special to the Tri-City Herald
Students of all ages deserve protection from sexual predators
By Rep. Larry Haler
One of the
founding principles upon which governments in civilized societies
are based is the notion of public safety.
If a
like-minded group of people can’t band together and keep each other
safe, through the understanding and enforcement of a set of
protective standards, all other forms of organized commerce,
association and collective benefit begin to fall apart.
History is
replete with examples of this truth all the way back to the Roman
Empire and its policy of “Pax Romana,” or “Roman Peace.”
Once the
Roman Empire began to collapse and recall its forces back to Rome,
the prosperity and advancements in society began to crumble. Without
the protection and enforcement of Rome’s laws a power vacuum was
created that led to a time of chaos and confusion; a time we refer
to today as “The Dark Ages.”
While our
struggles with understanding and enforcing our laws here in
Washington are not quite so dramatic, they can, nonetheless, have
dramatic consequences for those involved.
For instance,
a former music teacher at Richland High School was recently accused
of having sex with an 18-year-old student, but because the
definition of “minor” in existing law was ambiguous, the case was
thrown out of court.
The injustice
and the feelings of personal guilt and responsibility must be
agonizing for the victim and the victim’s family. On one hand,
common decency says that a crime has been committed; on the other,
the state of Washington says, “no.”
The
frustration in this case – and one like it from Grays Harbor County
– is the fact that the focus by the defense was on the age standard
of the statute, not the student standard. Simply because the victims
were 18 – and adults by legal standards – the fact they were also
students made no difference.
But let’s be
very clear in our understanding of the intent of the law: Students
in our schools should be safe from being preyed upon by sexual
predators, period.
Within the
confines of the student/teacher or student/school personnel
relationship, there exists an element of trust and authority not
necessarily found outside of school. That sanctity of trust must not
be violated – ever – no matter the age of the student.
In today’s
classroom, we have many students who don’t graduate from high school
until they reach 18 years of age. Are they not worthy of the same
protections the rest of their classmates enjoy?
This is
especially critical for our alternative and developmentally disabled
students as they oftentimes graduate with their peers but don’t
actually leave the organized classroom until they are 19- or
20-years-old.
The injustice
of this crime has me – and many of you, judging from the calls and
e-mails I’ve received – incensed.
With the help
of the Richland School Board, I’m proposing legislation this session
to close the so-called “18-year-old loophole” in our “sexual
misconduct with a minor” statutes.
My proposal,
House Bill 1013, includes language to protect students up to 21
years of age. It also includes new minimum prison sentences for
first and second degree sexual misconduct – five years and one year,
respectively – if the crimes involve a student/school personnel
relationship.
I believe the
words “ambiguity,” “unclear” and “vague” have no place in defending
those who would do our children harm. We need to make it abundantly
clear to sexual predators that they cannot hide their intentions
behind obscure vernacular.
While it
won’t right the injustice of recent crimes, our actions can make a
difference for future students. Before we can teach our students, we
must be able to protect them; from threats outside our schools, and
within.
(Rep. Larry Haler represents the 8th Legislative
District. He is the ranking member on the House Early Learning and
Children’s Service Committee and also serves on the House Education
Appropriations Committee. Haler and his wife, Jenifer, live in
Richland.)
# # #
For more information, contact:
Brendon Wold, Senior
Information Officer: (360) 786-7698
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