Sports and violence go hand in hand, even down to middle school | Forensic Files

You know, we're reporting this story at a time when abuse in professional sports
is coming to light. And maybe it shouldn't be surprising that disgustingly inappropriate behavior by
so-called role models and the secrecy and the cover-ups extends all the way down to high school and even middle
school. But still, the numbers are really astounding. It's estimated that 7% of middle and high school students
will be sexually abused by a teacher or coach. That's millions of kids who will be betrayed, whose lives will be turned
upside down by people they're supposed to trust. In this hour, we'll tell the story of
one teacher, a middle school teacher who sexually abused his students. When the girls came forward after the school
stopped ignoring them and listened to what they were saying, the teacher committed suicide. He drove his car off
a cliff here in Big Su. But the damage was already done. One of his victims, who's now in her 20s, told us that every
day she's still reeling from what that man did to her when she was 12 years old.
She was failed not only by that teacher, but by the administration that wanted to
keep the status quo, sweep his behavior under the rug. Abuse and excuse. It's not just
happening in professional sports. It's happening in our schools. It's happening to our kids by the very people who were
supposed to protect them.

Even in this era when big-time sports stars are accused of violent behavior, it is still shocking that sexual abuse and rape -- and even extensive cover-ups -- extend all the way down to high school and middle school. The sad truth is that it is happening and many of the abusers are coaches preying sexually on their athletes. Saturday, June 20 on "48 Hours," Tracy Smith will highlight one of these stories and the extent of the coach’s obsession will likely shock you.

Brief Summary

A middle school teacher's abuse leads to tragedy and highlights systemic failures in protecting students.

Key points

The Hidden Abuse in Schools. A shocking statistic reveals that 7% of students face sexual abuse by trusted adults.
A Teacher's Tragic End. After being confronted, a teacher who abused students took his own life.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

Millions of kids will be betrayed by people they're supposed to trust.

0:29WatchOct 17, 2014

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