What parents can do to prevent abuse

Investigators and experts in sex abuse prevention say the most important thing parents can do is to talk to their children so they'll feel comfortable telling if something happens that make them feel uncomfortable.

Here are other specific recommendations:

Monitor communications

Check e-mails, assignments, phone calls between teachers and your children to make sure they're about school work, not personal life.

No one-on-one

Keep track of teacher-student interactions. There should be no one-on-one meetings outside school.

No gifts or car rides

Teachers should not give students gifts or car rides except in emergencies.

Listen to comments

If a child mentions a "crush" on a teacher or a teacher who is a "friend" or a "perv," ask why.

Stop inappropriate behavior

If a teacher makes a sexual joke, brushed against a child, discussed sex, or requested a kiss or a meeting, find out more and report it to school authorities and the police.

Question your child

Stay calm, because children may perceive disapproval of the adult as condemnation of them. Try not to ask leading questions such as, "Did he touch your thigh?"

Report it

If you're suspicious, tell school authorities. If they don't act or take it seriously, tell police.

- Associated Press