HOUSTON – A Houston ISD teacher is charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old student.
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Dale Vanwright was fired in June after another student came forward accusing him of hugging and kissing them.
KPRC 2′s Corley Peel asked Kerry McCracken, Executive Director of The Children’s Assessment Center, what parents can do to help protect their children.
Kerry McCracken: Ninety percent of predators are someone the child knows. So we always think about stranger danger, but that’s not normally the case.
Corley Peel: What should parents do or talk to their kids about to make sure that they identify that a situation may be wrong or unsafe?
McCracken: Well, first of all, they need to start early and start often. Let them know that their body is their body. If they’re uncomfortable with a hug, it’s okay to say so. If they’re uncomfortable with the way an adult is talking to them, a way that adult touches them, or anything inappropriate, that the child knows they are empowered to say no.
Peel: So he (Dale Vanwright) would give the student rides in a situation like that. Even if a parent knows that this is happening, that he’s giving rides to their child, or they’re familiar with him -- what would be a good tip for parents if their child is alone with an adult?
McCracken: Well, I think the best thing is to not be alone. So ideally, if another child could even ride with that, that first child, that would be better. But if the child is going to be alone with adult, have that child have you on speed dial and be able to call you the second something goes wrong. If it’s a short ride, and maybe have you connected during that whole ride home so that child isn’t vulnerable.
I think they should look at their phone and so many parents are afraid they don’t want to invade their child’s privacy. But it’s important because so many predators nowadays do reach out to their victims via video games, internet and the phone.
They’re counting on the silence of that child. They’re counting on the child not being brave enough to report.
How to report crimes against children:
If you believe a child has been abused, molested, neglected or otherwise maltreated, please report it today to the Texas Abuse and Neglect Hotline or your local law enforcement agency by calling 911. For more information on reporting child abuse: Call the Texas Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or visit txabusehotline.org.