Child Abuse Case Study

One of your 4th grade female students is very well developed

physically and looks as if she is 15 instead of 9 years of age.

Today you heard a group of 5th grade boys commenting on her

body in a lewd and humiliating manner. Two other teachers also

heard these comments but blew them off as "boys will be boys,"

and "she needs to get used to it."

Considering teacher ethics and responsibilities, describe how

you might respond to and handle this situation.

 

 

 



Although this situation was almost ignored by my colleagues, I would not just brush what happened under the rug. The poor girl has hit a stage of adolescence so early and I am sure that she is uncomfortable with the way her body has changed. Now, these boys are making comments about her and I am sure that she is aware of what people say about her. I would first write down exactly what I heard the 5th grade boys say for record. I would immediately go to a supervisor and tell them what happened and tell them exactly what the boys said. I would make sure to get their permission before taking further action. I think that it is very important to have the support of someone that is of higher authority so that legally, you are backed and safe from lawsuit or any other threatening situations. Then with my supervisor's permission, I think that it is important that those boys understand the implications that their words can have. I would make it a point to pull the boys aside and explain to them that the things they said about my student are inappropriate and hurtful to her and to me. I would also explain to them that if I heard any more comments like that, there are sure to be further repercussions. She is in no way in control of how quickly she matures and that can be something very difficult to deal with. I would pay close attention to her mood and they way in which she carries out her days. If I suspect any sadness or a sense of insecurity, I would take my student aside and try and talk things through. I would want her to know that no matter what I am a resource for her and that she should feel free to come to me and confide in me anything that has happened that day to make her feel vulnerable or uncomfortable. She most likely will face this type of situation for years to come until her friends catch up to her level of development, but that does not mean that, "she needs to get used to it."