WNYT News Channel 13 has reported that a Saratoga County school teacher is facing sexual abuse charges while employed at Ballston Spa High School located at 220 Ballston Ave, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.
On Wednesday, July 6, 2022, 56-year-old Crim Trerise was arrested and charged with having inappropriate contact with multiple minors under the age of 14. Trerise works for the math department in the high school. Saratoga County Sheriff Zurlo said an investigation began after one victim came to their parents about the abuse. The investigation soon revealed additional victims, with the abuse occurring from 2015 to 2017. None of the current victims were students at the high school, but the investigation is ongoing to determine if there are any more.
Attorney contributor Laurence Banville represents sex abuse victims and their families in civil lawsuits. Laurence recently answered, "can a victim sexually abused by a high school teacher sue?"
"Sexual abuse within our high schools has become a serious problem. There have been numerous reports of teachers, coaches, and other school officials abusing students across the country. School districts and their administration should take this crisis seriously and explore all possible precautions in order to protect their students from predators."
"Too often, predators seek out positions of power and trust to gain access to vulnerable victims. Teachers and coaches are revered by the community with respect and trust. When a teacher abuses their position, they need to be held accountable. Additionally, schools must be committed to preventing these predators from taking up these roles. By conducting background checks, the school can reduce the risk of abusers being employed in the first place. The schools should be equipped with security features like cameras and patrolling officers to reduce the risks on campus."
"If a school fails to provide sufficient security, the victims may have grounds to file a lawsuit based on negligence. When a school or school district fails to process background checks or neglects campus security, they could be held liable. Victims and their parents should consult with an experienced sexual abuse attorney to explore their legal options better."