FOLLOWING the arrest of a well known drama teacher on charges of possession of child pornography, the spotlight has been turned on to how proactive schools are about checking their staff against the national sex offenders register.
The 48-year-old Glenwood man was arrested last week, after child pornography was found on his laptop. Some of the content involved photos of boys, while there were also videos in which the teacher can be seen performing sexual acts. He appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court court on Thursday, 21 August where he was charged with possession of child pornography. The man might face additional charges, after allegations surfaced that he had previously been convicted of indecent assault
The accused is expected to appear for his formal bail hearing next week Tuesday, during which the State will be opposing bail and attempt to add the additional charges.
A Manor Gardens mother who wished to remain anonymous was outraged by the case. “I feel the onus is upon the school’s governing body to ensure the staff they choose are well-scrutinised before being employed. In most government jobs, potential employees are told to obtain a police clearance certificate and perhaps this should be endorsed by all schools to ensure all teachers are not criminals with criminal records. As parents we are trusting that the school’s governing body is doing their part in adhering to the highest ethical and moral standards when employing personnel so the school is definitely responsible for any riff-raffs they employ.”
Marc Hardwick, who is a specialist child abuse investigator at The Guardian, a child protection service, said the case was sad. “It's always sad when we, as adults, learn a lesson at the expense of a child.”
“As a company working in an environment of ensuring schools are cleared and compliant of their obligation under the South African Sexual Offences Act and Child Protection Act, we have found that most schools are not aware that they need to be cleared, but once they are aware and take the time to learn about their responsibility, they are happy to get cleared.”
Despite many schools around the country still not being compliant by having their staff checked against the Sexual Offences Register, Hardwick said the latest case certainly highlighted the need for schools to be proactive. “It is mandatory to get all staff cleared if working with children and mentally disabled people. Failure to do so could result in criminal prosecution and a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment.”
Hardwick said South Africa had really good legislation with the Sexual Offences Act and getting clearance certificates against the Sexual Offenders Register was the only law that forced companies to be proactive in safeguarding children from possible abuse.
What can parents do to safeguard their children:
“Parents should be asking principals and schools if they have cleared all staff against the register,” Hardwick said. “Everybody needs to be compliant if they work with children.” He also advised parents to be proactive and ask restaurants, extra curricular activity companies and shops which came into contact with children, if they were compliant just to be safe.
Children or parents who have any queries can contact Marc on 0310010101 or email: marc@theguardian.co.za
