Saturday, June 24, 2006

telling tales

The Peter Ellis Syndrome
One reason why men are put off teaching. The tawdry tale of teacher accused of raping 7 year old student. Judge dismisses case as crazed concoction of a disturbed adolescent mind. The mother sounds equally loopy. Who finds blood, pubic hairs & what looks likes semen in their young daughter's underpants and thinks nothing of it? How on earth did such implausible allegations ever make it to court? What a shame that innocent men can be put through the ordeal of a rape trial on ten year old reconstructed memories and absent any compelling physical or corroborating evidence. Can't imagine he'll remain a teacher long; his reputation's tarred, his morale's shot, and those accusations will haunt him forever. All because of some troubled girl's bizarre fantasy. Sad.

Update: But don't just take my word for it. The Principals Federation's chief concurs:
"the weak case against a Wellington teacher accused of raping a former pupil highlights why men are reluctant to enter the profession... charges like this make teaching seem an unsafe career for men to enter"
Says it all. Male teachers are sitting targets for outrageous charges made against them. And since the cops seem so keen to prosecute historical matters on the the flimsiest of pretexts, why would any sane male risk ruin & imprisonment for the sake of a mere teaching job?

1 comment:

Oswald Bastable said...

Yep, you might as well paint a target on your back- or at least live in fear that somebody will, one day!