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Plum High School Teacher “Groomed” Student for Sex

Search Results for: grooming

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It has been well-reported that two teachers at Plum High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania were carrying on sexual relationship with their students. What’s worse, Plum School District officials are accused of covering up the sexual relationships. A Plum board member recently resigned over the District’s response to the allegations, claiming he reported high-school English teacher Joseph Ruggieri for inappropriate behavior with students years ago. Ruggieri has since been charged with multiple crimes for having sex with a Plum student.

The Plum teachers accused of having sex with their students have not denied the allegations. Their defense: the girls were 18, so the relationships were not illegal. Under Pennsylvania law, however, it is illegal for a teacher to engage in a sexual relationship with a student, regardless of the student’s age. In addition, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office has filed papers outlining how one teacher, Jason Cooper, allegedly “groomed” his victim for sex well before she turned 18.

Cooper’s alleged grooming is significant for another reason. Under Pennsylvania law, a victim of “childhood” sexual abuse has until their thirtieth birthday to file a civil claim arising from that abuse. If the Plum victims were 18 when their abuse began, their claims will expire two years from the initial abuse. If, however, the girls were subject to inappropriate behavior before their 18th birthdays, they may have until they turn thirty to sue their abusers, and the District. As I’ve previously written, Cooper and Ruggieri’s victims may have strong Title IX claims against the School District for “deliberate indifference” to a sexually hostile educational environment. With each new allegation of indifference on the part of the District, their cases get stronger.

Andreozzi + Foote has successfully represented several victims in Title IX lawsuits against public schools. Our firm represents victims of sexual, violent, and financial crimes in civil lawsuits. Our firm is best known for its work on behalf of sexual abuse victims, including representing 11 of Jerry Sandusky’s victims. We are also representing the families of murdered love ones in several cases. If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime and are interested in exploring a potential civil lawsuit, please contact me immediately at nate@victimscivilattorneys.com.

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As a parent, you dedicate yourself to protecting your children. From the time they are young, you teach your kids not to talk to strangers, comfort them when someone bullies them and kiss their owies when they get hurt playing.

When it comes to leaving your children in the care of another adult, you choose wisely – allowing only people you trust to be alone with your kids. But no matter how hard you try to do what is right for your children, you could unknowingly put them in harm’s way. But how do you recognize the signs of abuse?

Children’s Behaviors May Indicate Sexual Abuse

Unfortunately, sexual abuse is all too common among those who you might trust with your children. News reports often cover abusive activity in daycare centers, churches and schools.

But children do not always report maltreatment. Some children are too young to inform you about what is happening. Others may feel shame or fear punishment for telling a secret.

Although children do not always communicate trauma, they typically exhibit signs that something is not right. Some of the behaviors which could indicate sexual abuse in children include:

  • Bedwetting
  • Thumb sucking
  • Nightmares
  • Inappropriate sexual behavior
  • Hesitation when you leave them with caregivers

If your children express concerns about their ability to trust you, it may suggest someone is grooming them for continued abusive activity through threats, lies and blame. And if you notice signs of physical trauma, remove your children from others’ care and seek help immediately.

Encouraging your children to draw, play or talk with you can provide insight into what is going on when they are not in your presence. And through the help of licensed professionals, you can fight to hold abusers accountable while beginning the healing process for your children.

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To most right-thinking people, child sexual abuse is one of the most heinous crimes and it should not matter whether it happened in Pennsylvania, New York or Alaska – perpetrators should be brought to justice.

Only then can child victims receive some measure of justice for the past wrongs committed against them – and children and their parents can sleep easier knowing that they are less likely to suffer abuse because another predator is behind bars.

Unfortunately, until the statute of limitations law changes here, Pennsylvania children remain at risk from abusers still on the loose and free to carry out more of their terrible crimes.

“too Late” To Claim For Child Sexual Abuse In Pennsylvania

In July 2021, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that an accuser’s claim was too late under the state’s statute of limitations.

The Court threw out a lawsuit from a woman who wanted to recover damages from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown for its part in harboring a priest who allegedly sexually abused her in the 1970s.

Meanwhile, just over the state lines in New York and New Jersey, the laws were changed some time ago to extend the window that victims of child sexual abuse can seek compensation for their abuse.

Almost 25 other states have taken rapid action after well-publicized cases concerning sexual abuse by the clergy in the Catholic Church, the U.S. school system, sports coaches, the Boy Scouts and other youth organizations – but Pennsylvania continues to drag its heels.

While these changes to legislation in other states have not put as many historical perpetrators behind bars as most people would have liked, it has allowed victims to tell their stories, expose their abusers, and shine a light on the extent of the problem through civil lawsuits, which have a lower burden of proof than criminal lawsuits.

It’s fair to say that until recent years, many people across the U.S. had no idea that sexual abuse in the Catholic Church was so widespread. Recent cases have been crucial in exposing the serious nature of the problem and bringing it onto the table to be addressed.

What Is “window Legislation”?

In most states until recently, the statutes of limitation were notoriously short for victims to file lawsuits against child sexual abusers. This was a particular weakness in the judicial system because the nature of child sexual abuse cases means that many victims are unable or unwilling to come forward and tell their stories until later in life.

Recognizing this, states like New York and New Jersey introduced “window legislation” that extended the statutes of limitation and helped revive claims that previously could not be filed.

CHILD USA (a national think tank working to end child abuse and neglect) and the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) joined forces in these states to create a Survivor’s Tool Kit that help educate survivors of their legal rights.

This has encouraged many thousands of victims to come forward in New York and hundreds in New Jersey, publicly exposing thousands of predators. It is hoped that this is just the beginning and, as time passes, more victims will step forward to tell their stories.

However, despite the success of these campaigns elsewhere, Pennsylvania surprisingly still digs its heels in and refuses to move. That’s very frustrating for many people here.

Why Is Pennsylvania Not Acting Now?

Many people rightly feel that because of the well-publicized scandals here, Pennsylvania should have been one of the first states to introduce the window legislation.

In recent years, we have seen allegations of cover ups of rape and child sexual abuse by Catholic Church leaders, in the school system, and with the Jerry Sandusky case at Penn State.

Introducing the new legislation would not only allow victims to seek some measure of justice, but it would enhance the safety of our children – and what could be more important than that?

Nobody is too sure what the reason is for the delay in introducing new legislation to protect our children’s safety but, unfortunately, money seems to be trumping the pursuit of justice and safety here.

The financial interests of the Catholic Church and the insurance industry, looking after their own interests ahead of those of the public, appear to have been given priority and this needs to change.

While advocate groups continue to put pressure on the state to pass window legislation, so far it has fallen on deaf ears.

The recent case thrown out by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has brought into sharp focus the need to continue fighting for change and the safety of our children in Pennsylvania.

In addition to the warning signs of abuse that a child may display, we should also be on the lookout for certain types of unsettling behavior in adults holding positions of responsibility with children.

Again, many of the warning signs taken in isolation may be normal. If there is a range of factors present to make a parent or other caregiver feel uneasy about a person, it warrants further investigation.

Remember, over 90 percent of child sexual assault victims know the perpetrator and therefore are generally in positions of trust with the child.

Be wary of someone who

  • Regularly crosses personal “boundaries” with your child
  • Won’t take “no” for an answer
  • Engages in touching children (even playful tickling or massage may be grooming behavior)
  • Carries on unwanted behavior even after being asked to stop
  • Forms a friendship that is not appropriate to the role they fill in the child’s life
  • Finds opportunities to be alone with children
  • Becomes a key “provider” in your child’s life – rides, overnight stays, etc.
  • Gives a child gifts and excessive attention
  • Comments on a child’s sexual development inappropriately

Parents and primary caregivers need to act on their instincts with their children. If someone is acting in a way around your child that makes you uncomfortable, investigate it. Watch for the warning signs of abuse, talk to your child and report any concerns to the relevant authorities if necessary.

If you need to contact the lawyers at Andreozzi & Foote, PC with information on a case involving child sexual abuse, all the information provided will be treated confidentially, including your identity. Start with a free and confidential consultation.

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Gregory Stanczuk, longtime teacher, track and field coach at Ridley HIgh School accused of sexual conduct with student.

Gregory Stanczuk worked for Ridley High School in Delaware County for over thirty years and was the head coach of the women’s track and field team for the high school.

Stanczuk, 52, emotionally manipulated a female student and member of the track and field team after she broke up with her boyfriend.

Stanczuk used a tactic common among abusers called “grooming” in an attempt to gain the student’s trust in order to sexually abuse her.

Stanczuk held himself out as a friend, mentor, and someone who could provide emotional support to the student to gain her trust.

Stanczuk provided her with rides home from track practice and acted interested in providing her emotional support after her breakup.

Eventually, Stanczuk began sexual advances. At one point, Stanczuk convinced the student to accompany him to a hotel where the two had a sexual encounter.

Later, at a national track meet, the coach had invited the victim to his hotel room and gave her alcohol—another grooming tactic. He again tried to sexually advance on her, but she left the room and eventually reported the abuse.

Ridley High School PennsylvaniaAlthough this brave young woman is the only victim to have reported any sexual abuse by Stanczuk, he taught at the school for nearly thirty years and was coach of the women’s track and field team. It is possible there are additional, unreported survivors.

If you were sexually abused by Gregory Stanczuk, attorneys like Benjamin Andreozzi may be able to help. Andreozzi—who represents victims of sexual assault—has noted that institutions such as schools or school districts can be held accountable in circumstances where sexual abuse was preventable.

Andreozzi believes institutions in these circumstances could be facing significant liability for failing to properly supervise or screen staff members as well as failing to report and prevent the sexual abuse of their students.

Andreozzi believes that it is important for victims to come forward because there is often a limited time period for them to seek justice. Additionally, exposing the truth often forces organizations like school districts to change their policies, thereby protecting any future students in their charge from similar abuse.

To learn more, you can read the original story at the philly Voice.