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13 News Now has reported that a teacher has been arrested for alleged sexual abuse while a teacher at Ocean Lakes High School located at 885 Schumann Dr, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454.
On December 22, 2021, Robert Weisenbeck was arrested for sexually abusing a child in his care. Police were made aware of the abuse on November 5, 2021. However, the abuse was said to have occurred between June 1 and July 31, 2016.
Weisenbeck taught AP Human Geography at the high school and had not returned since winter break. He is now suspended pending the results of the criminal case. Parents received very little information regarding the alleged misconduct on Friday; even the teacher's name was missing. Many parents were concerned because Weisenbeck had taken students on international trips. One trip in 2019 included 16 students as they traveled to Greece and Italy.
Attorney contributor Kevin Biniazan has assisted sexual abuse victims and their families in Virginia for years. As an experienced school sex abuse lawyer, Kevin shared his insight on the legal options available to victims sexually abused at a high school.
"Schools have a paramount responsibility to take on the role of parenting child during the school day. This responsibility includes keeping them safe throughout the school day and during school activities. Yet each year, many high school students become victims of sex crimes on campus. This abuse varies from inappropriate touching to inappropriate conversations to sexual assault. Schools and their administration have a legal obligation that includes safety procedures for keeping students safe from preventable threats and hazards, including sexual abuse. School officials should be aware of these potential behaviors and know how to recognize the signs in order to prevent or stop abuse from occurring in the first place. Periodic background checks can help eliminate hiring some sexual predators, but they can slip through the cracks if reports go unchecked. Without a strong commitment to preventing these behaviors, schools can be held liable if their safety measures were found lacking."
"Victims of sexual misconduct of any kind at a high school should consult with an experienced school sex abuse lawyer. Many factors can affect their potential case, including statutes of limitations expiring. Their lawyer will understand these laws and know what is needed to prove that the school or school district was negligent. The victim's lawyer can verify the abuse was foreseeable by looking for prior reports of misconduct that may have been ignored. In cases of negligence where the abuse was foreseeable, a civil lawsuit may allow victims to recover the compensation they deserve.
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