‘I was cleared but broken’: A male teacher tells how false allegations ruined his life

“I was isolated, humiliated and broken.” A male teacher tells how his career and marriage were destroyed by false allegations – and a system that denied him justice.

False sexual allegations threw a male teacher’s life into “turmoil”, leading to the loss of his marriage, career and passion for teaching.

He has spoken out, on condition of anonymity, to reveal the tense tightrope many male teachers walk in a profession ripe with allegations.

The Queensland Department of Education, which investigated the man, say all allegations must be treated with the utmost seriousness – and so they should.

But behind every false allegation, there is a life ruined.

This is his story.

Beginning of a nightmare

One afternoon I was called by my principal and told that I could not return to school the following day.

No explanation. No details.

Just that I had been referred to the department’s integrity unit.

Within a week I was called into the regional office with union support. I sat in a meeting, expecting answers, but once again I was told nothing specific.

The teacher said he was left in the dark about the nature of the allegations for over 200 days. Picture: iStock

Only that the matter involved a student and had supposedly occurred two years earlier at a previous school.

I was sent home, still in the dark, still suspended from my work, still without any way of defending myself.

That moment was the start of a nightmare that lasted for almost a year.

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Months of silence

Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. The silence was deafening.

Every day I waited for the phone to ring, for a letter to arrive, for someone to finally tell me what I was accused of.

It never came. The uncertainty was unbearable.

It was not until April 2023 that I first heard any details, and even then, it was not from my employer but from the police, who interviewed me as part of their own process.

I learned more in that interview than I had from Education Queensland in nearly five months.

Eventually, in late September 2023, 224 working days after I was first suspended, I finally received the full details of the allegations.

By then the damage was done.

Cleared but broken

The police cleared me of wrongdoing. Education Queensland eventually followed suit.

At the end of 2023 I received a phone call to say I was cleared of all allegations and directed to return to work.

The teacher said once he returned to work, he suffered crippling anxiety and could not complete a full work week. Picture: iStock

But the process itself had broken me.

For nearly 11 months I lived under the shadow of secret accusations, unable to defend myself, unable to move forward and unable to heal.

I carried the stigma of being that male teacher accused of misconduct.

Even though I was cleared, the impact remains.

The toll on my health and family

The psychological toll was immense. Anxiety became my constant companion.

I developed depression and physical illness tied directly to the stress. I would feel sick to my stomach at the thought of stepping foot on school grounds.

My marriage did not survive.

The false allegation took more than his career – it cost him his marriage. Picture: iStock

The strain of my suspension, the uncertainty, and my declining mental health proved too much.

My relationship ended, leaving me to carry this burden alone while also trying to be a father to my children.

The sense of loss went beyond my career. It touched every part of my personal life.

I was no longer just a teacher under investigation – I became an outcast in my own community.

Support that was not support

Throughout this time, Education Queensland claims they offered support. In reality, the only support provided was a phone number for a counselling service.

I rang that number.

My appointment was rescheduled. The promised follow-up never came.

That was it. No check ins. No meaningful welfare support. No proactive communication. Certainly no structured plan to help me return to work after being cleared.

Education Queensland’s official response describes this process as if it was fair, transparent, and supportive.

But I lived it. And I can say with certainty that it was not.

The teacher said the department did not support him through the process.

The bigger picture

Education Queensland maintains that their process was in line with policy.

But no reasonable person would accept waiting nearly a year to be told what they had been accused of, especially when those allegations were already years old and related to a different school altogether.

Workplace health and safety laws recognise this type of delay and lack of transparency as poor organisational justice.

That is exactly what happened to me.

This is not just about my case.

It is about the way male teachers, and teachers in general, are treated when allegations arise.

Teachers are expected to uphold integrity, professionalism, and fairness, yet the system denies them those same protections.

The ongoing battle

I am now fighting to have my injury recognised by WorkCover.

My doctor has certified me unfit for work. The Queensland Teachers’ Union supports me.

But Education Queensland insists the process was reasonable — it was not.

The teacher has chosen to speak out in the hope others will not accept the same fate. Picture: iStock

I do not seek sympathy. What I want is accountability and change.

Teachers should be protected by a system that values fairness, transparency, and support.

Allegations must be investigated, but the process must also protect the health and wellbeing of the teacher involved.

Instead, I was left isolated, humiliated, and broken by a system that was supposed to protect both me and my students.

Department response

“The safety and wellbeing of students and staff remains the highest priority for the Department of Education,” a Queensland department spokeswoman said.

“The department has strong processes to ensure complaints and allegations are thoroughly and fairly considered.

“These processes may involve an investigation, which is conducted impartially and with respect and fairness for everyone involved.

“The department recognises the impact on employees subject to allegations and provides appropriate support throughout the process.

“While some investigations may substantiate allegations, others may not. The department remains committed to handling all matters with integrity, transparency, and a focus on safety and wellbeing.”

Originally published as ‘I was cleared but broken’: A male teacher tells how false allegations ruined his life