Mitigating the Risk of Student Sexual Abuse Amidst a Pandemic

As the coronavirus began to advance across the country early in the year, almost every state and US territory ordered or recommended schools close to all in-person classes to mitigate the spread of the virus.¹Educators quickly turned to technology as the new vehicle to deliver classes, but this urgency created safety and security exposures with little time and few resources to assess and mitigate the potential risks.

While the coronavirus demanded a quick response and continues to demand attention as the new school year begins, it’s crucial to proactively review the risks distance learning created. An effective risk assessment and mitigation process for student sexual abuse and molestation through distance learning should look at both external and internal risks.