What Every Parent Should Ask and Know
As your child heads back into the classroom or to school for the first time, it’s natural to focus on supplies, bus schedules, and after-school activities. But there’s one back-to-school essential that can’t be bought in a store: protection from abuse and misconduct.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we’ve represented hundreds of children and families harmed by trusted adults inside K–12 schools. The common thread? Missed red flags, unclear reporting protocols, and fear of speaking up.
We have made significant strides across the country in raising awareness, changing policies, requiring reporting and more. Yet, we still know that one in 10 students are sexually abused in a school setting by a school professional according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
And, these crimes are so incredibly underreported that we truly do not have a full grasp of the scope. However, we know its impact.
It destroys self-esteem, shatters dreams, changes lives, creates significant mental health challenges and so much more. The life long costs of this abuse is incalculable.
So how can you prepare and prevent this type of abuse with your children?
Ask These Questions Before School Starts:
- Who supervises my child during lunch, recess, and extracurriculars?
- Are background checks required for all staff and volunteers?
- Are there clear boundaries between staff and students (no 1:1 closed-door time)?
- How are concerns reported? Is there an anonymous option?
- Who is the school’s Title IX Coordinator and how are they trained?
What is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal law passed over fifty years ago that disallows any form of discrimination or harassment based upon sex. This covers sexual misconduct including rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and more. Any school receiving federal funding must comply with Title IX, many think it only applies to universities and colleges.
Understand Title IX in K–12:
Yes. Title IX applies to elementary, middle, and high schools. Under federal law, your child has the right to be free from sex-based harassment or abuse in any school receiving federal funding.
If your child experiences:
- Inappropriate comments or touching
- Repeated harassment by peers or staff
- Subjected to inappropriate jokes
- Online harassment or sharing images
- Retaliation for speaking up
… the school must respond promptly and appropriately. Failure to do so is a violation of federal law.
What to Teach Your Kids at Home:
- Use real names for body parts so they can describe concerns clearly.
- Teach them that “Safe adults don’t ask kids to keep secrets.”
- Help them understand they can say No if asked to do something they are not comfortable doing
- Educate students that no teacher would ask them to go to a different location with them alone
- Practice what to say if someone makes them uncomfortable:
“Please stop. I don’t like that. I’m going to tell someone.” - Teach them to YELL FIRE if they do not feel comfortable directly confronting an adult.
Tell them this: “You can always talk to me. You will never be in trouble for telling the truth.”
A Quick Back-to-School Parent Checklist:
- I’ve reviewed the school’s safety and boundary policies.
- I’ve had a preventive conversation with my child.
- I know who to contact if something feels wrong.
- I check in with my child and really listen to verbal and non-verbal cues
- My child knows who to trust and how to ask for help.
If your child reports something that feels off even if it’s vague, believe them. The earlier a concern is addressed, the better the chance to stop harm and hold people accountable.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we’ve helped countless families find answers, accountability, and justice. If you believe your child was harmed or silenced in school, contact us. We believe you and we fight for you.