Washington Court Rules on TEacher / Student Relationships

There are court rulings that defy common sense. The Court of Appeals in Washington state has made a ruling concerning teacher / student relationships:

“State law does not ban teachers from having sex with 18-year-old students, according to a unanimous ruling by a panel of appellate judges.

The state Court of Appeals ruling came in a case involving Matthew Hirschfelder, a former choir teacher at Hoquiam High School who was charged with first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor in 2006 after an 18-year-old member of the choir told police she had been involved in a months-long sexual relationship with him.”

link: Teacher-student sex ban doesn’t always apply, appeals court rules

The teacher / student relationship is not a fair and equitable partnership. The teacher holds power and trust by position in the educational system. This ruling removes the protection from eighteen year old students. Would you agree with this ruling if your eighteen year old son or daughter was the sexual focus of some teacher?

Catherine Forsythe