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According to WSVN, a teacher recently bailed out after being arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student at Hallandale High School located at 720 NW 9th Ave, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009.
On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, the English and journalism teacher Lavelle Gordon, was released on bond. Gordon was accused of having a sexual relationship with a female student at the high school. The student's mother found a TikTok video on the child's phone of the teacher kissing her at the park. Gordon has taught at the school for two years and met the victim in his yearbook class. Many witnesses stated that the teacher and student were often seen "play fighting, hugging below the waist, hugging for an extended period of time and drinking from the same bottle.” The two allegedly even had sex inside the classroom.
Gordon has been charged with being an authority figure soliciting or engaging in sexual conduct offenses with a student. He is being forced to wear an ankle monitor and stay away from the school. The school district said they have reassigned Gordon within the school system.
Attorney contributor Michael Haggard often represents school sex abuse victims and their families in civil lawsuits. Michael recently answered parents and guardians commonly asked question, "can I sue if my child was sexually abused by a high school teacher?"
"Sexual abuse is a serious problem in high schools across the country. There have been numerous reports of school employees abusing students. School districts should explore all possible precautions in order to protect their students from predators. By law, schools are responsible for implementing a safety plan to reduce the risk of sexual abuse on campus. Failure to comply could cause them to be liable when a high school student is sexually abused by a high school teacher."
"Sexual predators look for positions of power and trust for easier access to vulnerable victims. Parents and students respect and trust teachers and coaches. Many times predators look to gain the trust of a child, grooming them before the abuse occurs. A teacher must be held accountable when they abuse their position in such a way. Schools and districts need to be committed to preventing these incidents. Mandatory background checks and a sufficient reporting system are just two ways that a school can prevent such dangers. Furthermore, the schools should have security features such as cameras and patrolling officers to keep the campus safe."
"The victim and their family might have grounds to file a lawsuit if the school failed to provide adequate security. If a school or school district neglected to process background checks, they could be held liable. The legal options for sexual abuse victims and their parents should be explored fully by consulting with an experienced school sexual abuse attorney."
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