LETTER: Allegations of Inappropriate Conduct at All-Boys School in Antigua

Dear editor,

In light of the recent Facebook post submitted by “Anonymousemail” to The BLAB 268, I feel compelled to write this piece.

In this post, a 16-year-old student alleges that a “male teacher” who “teaches music, conducts choir, and is always involved with school events” repeatedly touched him inappropriately.

While the student did not use the terms “sexual assault” and “sexual harassment”, I believe it is fitting to describe what the student alleges as such. It is now up to the police force, teachers’ union, or school to investigate and act accordingly.

The student mentioned that they attend an all-boys school here in Antigua.

I have reason to believe that the teacher in question has been predatory toward his students for years. Henceforth, I speak on behalf of the victims who have confided in me personally and have expressed the nature of the assault done to them by this teacher.

Over the last several years, he committed a myriad of sexual crimes and other inappropriate behaviour towards minors.

A former student told me that this teacher groped his private area and slapped him on the behind. Another past student, who I will refer to as “John”, told me about a series of incidents that occurred during his time at that school

According to John, the teacher engaged in sexual online conversations with him, from when he was as young as 13 years old. The teacher showed John his private area online several times.

The teacher also forced John to hug him in a classroom and then kissed him on the cheek without his consent. Others said that the teacher made flirtatious comments about their appearance, and asked if they loved him.

The teacher would sometimes make “kissing noises” at some of the boys. Other former students have stated that they witnessed the teacher push a student into a classroom and sometimes would ask the boys when they were turning 16.

I have heard multiple accounts of the teacher apparently allowing boys to stay with him in his room for long periods while on a class trip. Lastly, a past student said that the teacher video called him while naked. The student would have been between 13-15 at the time of this incident.

Over the last four years, my colleagues and I have reported the actions of this man to various authorities and agencies. In 2021, we submitted a report to Crime Stoppers but received no response.

In 2023, we called the Support and Referral Centre (SARC) but they told us that they only deal with domestic violence for people 18 and older. They told us to go to the police with evidence.

In cases like these, it is very difficult to present cold, hard evidence that these crimes occurred. Any online conversations that happened had been deleted, and there are no photos or videos to show the teacher doing the aforementioned.

Nevertheless, we called the police. Regrettably, they said that they could not do anything without knowing the identities of the victims. A statement was needed from the victims, which was not something that they were comfortable with.

The victims want to remain anonymous and we would like to respect their wishes and privacy. As a last resort, we sent an anonymous message to an exposé-like Instagram account.

That post was met with backlash and accusations of trying to “ruin an innocent man’s life”. We have spoken to counsellors and trusted adults in our lives. We have been trying and trying for years to seek justice, but to no avail.

After seeing that Facebook post, my heart is heavy knowing that this man presumably has sexually assaulted yet another child. God knows how many victims past and present may be out there, silenced by fear and shame.

Our society has fostered an environment in which it is near impossible for boys and men to speak up about sexual abuse. It is incredibly sad to see so many people more concerned about the same-sex nature of the situation, rather than the pedophilia and the assault. The gender identities of the victims are not the issue here.

The grown adult abusing and grooming minors is most definitely the problem. As a confidant to a handful of the victims, I have seen firsthand the trauma that they have endured. I have witnessed the tears, the self-loathing, the guilt, the nightmares and the paranoia —— all resulting from the teacher’s abuse.

To all who may be reading this, I am asking you to stand with the victims and condemn the actions of this man. I invite you to join us in demanding justice for the children this teacher abused.

For far too long, we have allowed this pedophile to roam around freely with no repercussions. He is constantly surrounded by children and any child that comes into his sphere of influence is at risk.

Parents, I implore you to create a safe space for your children. Create a space where your children feel safe to open up to you and to share their experiences. It is paramount that we provide our youth with these necessary support systems.

To the adults responsible for these children, please take action! Clearly this man needs to be investigated and held to account for his criminal acts. Parents, school administrators, union representatives, Ministry of Education officials, and the police force — please take action to protect our children!

Ponder this: What if it were your child? What if it were your niece or nephew? Your
sibling? Your cousin? Your grandchild? Your friend? Your godchild? I challenge you to grasp your empathy.

Sincerely,
An adamant demander of justice