Education shame file of abuse against disabled kids in NSW

Teachers found guilty of abuse and sexual misconduct against disabled students are being let off with a slap on the wrist, with more than 1300 allegations revealed.

A shame file of physical and emotional abuse and sexual misconduct by teachers and staff of disabled students has revealed hundreds of allegations in NSW schools.

And the file reveals many offending teachers are let off with warnings.

Since 2018 more than 1300 distressing complaints of abuse and misconduct by school staff have been recorded by the NSW Education Department.

In one incident included in 2020 reports, a female School Learning Support Officer was found by the department to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a student, but was let off without a warning and with no ­consequences.

In another incident a male secondary school teacher was found to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a student, only to be let off with a caution and reprimand.

Education expert Dr David Roy says teachers accused of physically abusing children were let off with a slap on the wrist.

The documents, obtained under Freedom of Information laws, include similar incidents of teachers and school staff found guilty of sexual misconduct with disabled children, only to be let off with a warning.

Education academic and former teacher David Roy, who has been collating the allegations, said teachers accused of physically abusing children were let off with a slap on the wrist, while disabled children were more likely to face punishment at school.

“It shows that the department’s system of protection for children who are the most vulnerable is not fit for purpose,” Dr Roy said.

“When we suspend children from schools because they are talking too much in class, but we just tell off a teacher who physically and emotionally abuses a child then you have to ask about double standard.

“The worst thing of all is the type of teachers doing this are a tiny minority, yet they are poisoning the whole barrel of teachers.

“As a teacher myself I want these people gone from the system.”

Dr Roy said that while many of the allegations were not found to be true, in the overwhelming amount of cases it was only because the department did not have enough evidence.

“Most abuse happens behind closed doors … and many of these children are non-verbal,” he said.

However, there are also cases where the allegations are formally found to not be sustained because of a lack of evidence, but still result in reprimands or warning to teachers.

Responding to NSW budget estimates questions, the Education Department revealed that since 2019 more than $645,500 was paid in settlements for claims of mistreatment and discrimination against children with disabilities.

During the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, parents came forward with stories of physical and emotional abuse from school staff. One parent told of the day their son came home “aged five with carpet burn up his torso after his teacher dragged him across the carpet” and told that their child was to blame for the situation.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said: “Anyone working in our public schools who sexually abuses a student would be dismissed and never allowed to work in a school again — no ifs or buts.

“To reassure parents, we’ve made sure there are robust measures in place so that any concerns about inappropriate behaviour, no matter how minor, can be raised and every single case is fully investigated.”

The Department of Education said it took all allegations ­seriously.

“We’re clear that any employee found to have engaged in misconduct of a sexual nature with a student would be dismissed and placed on the ‘Not To Be Employed’ list. Where allegations of other types of misconduct are proven, the appropriate disciplinary action is taken, including dismissal.”

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