The latest bad news came out when prosecutors confirmed our earlier report that a video existed of Dufault allegedly having sexual relations with a student. She was also denied a bail reduction from $500,000 by a judge on Friday.
Rumors of the video have been circulating for weeks according to some as charges contend Dufault's alleged behavior goes back at least a year. One wonders how such activities could be kept from school officials. But there is no evidence yet that anything was covered up or ignored by anyone in charge.
One surprising reaction from some has been either support for Dufault and the idea that sexual encounters between a 15-year-old boy, or boys, and a teacher is not a criminal act. Some have said that teen boys are lucky to be in such a situation.
This, of course, is patently untrue and almost worriesome if there are people who believe it.
One would assume views would be different if it was a male teacher and a female student. That is a reverse sexism that misses the point.
A 15-year-old student, for one, is a minor. And the law states any sexual act between an adult and a minor is a crime. You add to that the fact that a teacher is a paid employee of a public entity, the school district. Paid with taxpayer funds. That alone makes such actions unacceptable and a violation. A teacher is also an authority figure for the student.
Dufault not only has a responsibility as an adult not to engage in criminal activities with a minor, but as a teacher that responsibility is even greater.
For most of us, such an argument is not necessary as most realize the tragedy of this. But I have been surprised to see how many people I have spoken to, and comments I have seen, that have the view a 15-year-old boy having sex with a teacher is somehow a great thing for him. Not true. The psyche of anyone at that age is fragile. And to be subjected to such actions without knowing why assumes the boy is unhurt. This is false.
We do not know the emotional state of the students, the circumstances involved, and even the physical injuries sustained. One also must ask about other consequences. What if the teacher became pregnant as a result. That opens a whole new area of legal concerns, emotional consequences and future impact.
The school district has also remained mum on man aspects of the case, which is not a surprise. However it was surprising that the district would not even reveal if Dufault remained a paid employee of the district or not. We found out from her attorney, Timothy Smith, that she indeed is on a paid leave as per the provisions of the teachers contract because she has tenure.
As this case moves forward, hopefully the worst is over and whatever the outcome the teacher, the students, and the district can get past it and hopefully residents can learn that such actions are not acceptable and can be better prevented in the future.
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