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Santa Barbara, CA - Former Cate School Music Teacher, Da’Jon Tyrik James, Accused of Sexually Abusing Students

Santa Barbara, CA - Former Cate School Music Teacher, Da’Jon Tyrik James, Accused of Sexually Abusing Students
Published: August 23, 2021
By: Darla Medina
Last Updated on August 23, 2021

Former Private College Prep School Teacher Facing Allegations of Sexually Abusing Students

According to the Santa Barbara Independent, a former music teacher has been accused of sexually abusing multiple students at Cate School located at 1960 Cate Mesa Rd, Carpinteria, CA 93013. 

Police issued a warrant to begin an investigation regarding allegations that Da’Jon Tyrik James, a former teacher, had sexually abused both former and current students. James was employed at the four-year private college prep school for only six months before he was fired in February 2020. 

Detectives have stated that they have already identified many of James' alleged victims. The victims of the alleged sexual assault that took place on school grounds are a mix of both current and former students. 

James' has been arrested in Boulder, Colorado, on similar charges that took place at a school he is currently employed at. According to detectives in Boulder, four female victims have come forward with allegations that he touched them in a sexual manner, including fondling, used inappropriate language, and showed them sexually explicit images while on school grounds. The victims also allege that the suspect subjected them to inappropriate kissing on their forehead and prolonged hugging. James is facing multiple sexual abuse charges. 

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Legal Rights of Victims Sexually Abused by a Teacher

Attorney contributor Jason Amala is an experienced sexual abuse attorney licensed in California. He represents victims of sexual abuse in civil lawsuits. In a recent interview, Bobby provided some insight on the legal options of victims sexually abused by a teacher

“Schools and faculty have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to provide a safe learning environment for their students. The student's parents trust that the school and teachers are protecting the children. However, sexual predators that gain employment at schools use their positions of trust and power to abuse students sexually. Schools should use appropriate care and prevention by conducting adequate background checks when hiring teachers. Other security measures they should take include installing security cameras throughout the property and providing a sufficient and easy reporting process."

“In the event that a school does not maintain proper security measures, the school may be civilly liable for the abuse. In the event that a sexual assault occurs at a school, it is often due to the neglect of a third party such as an employee. The victim and their family should obtain the guidance of an experienced sexual abuse attorney. If the attorney can prove the school was negligent, then the victim may be entitled to compensation."

Sources:

Santa Barbara Independent

https://legalherald.com/boulder-co-music-teacher-arrested-for-sexual-assault/

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About the Author
Darla Medina
About Darla Medina
Editor: Darla is a content writer with a focus on the legal field. She covers cases of sexual abuse, drunk driving, and preventable violent crime for the Legal Herald. Contact Darla: darla@legalherald.com This article was fact checked prior to publishing by this author to ensure compliance with our rigorous editorial standards. We will only use authoritative sources. Our values compel us to provide only trustworthy information. If you find an error, please contact us.
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