Sex abusing teachers: Number of convictions and allegations skyrockets in 2019 The number of teachers struck off for sex offending last year skyrocketed - surpassing 2018 by more than five times. And the number of sexual misconduct allegations has also increased dramatically. Figures released to the Herald under the Official Information Act by the Teaching Council show that in the 2019 calendar year 13 teachers had their registration cancelled as a result of being convicted of a sexual offence. In total, 131 allegations were made against teachers that "include reference to sexual misconduct". In 2018 just two registrations were cancelled and there were 92 allegations in total. Jaimee Cooney The figures were provided to the Herald a day after disgraced Blenheim teacher Jaimee Cooney abandoned a bid for permanent name suppression. Cooney, 37, is understood to be the first female teacher in New Zealand convicted and sentenced for sexual offending against students. At the time of the offending Cooney was a senior teacher at Marlborough Boys College where she headed the languages department and worked as a wellness coordinator. It was later confirmed in court that Cooney - the wife of a police officer and mother of two - did not dispute having sexual relationships with other older boys. ... Paul Roger Herrick Last year the council released similar figures following an investigation into recidivist sex offender and former teacher Paul Roger Herrick. The 73-year-old is currently behind bars for historical sex offending against pupils. Herrick had been jailed three times previously for identical offending in between 1963 and 1993. Each time his name was published after sentencing, more victims came forward. Continue reading... https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12306236
