Anxiety to the Teacher of Possible Sexual Abuse - Essay Example

Naturally, none of these issues can be answered with absolute certainty; however, the role of the counselor is to weigh the information that has been presented and decide whether or not further action should be taken with regard to the issue at hand.

From an indirect level of analysis, the situation that was described, although highly inappropriate, was not indicative of sexual abuse. Rather, it was indicative of a potential sexual assault. The difference between these two terms is the fact that sexual abuse represents a pattern of sexual assault where a sexual assault in and of itself represents a singular instance. Naturally, even a singular incident is a severe issue and must be responded to with all seriousness. However, from the information that the teacher has provided, it is unclear as to whether or not the child in question was actively participating in an expository and inappropriate gesture towards the other students were whether or not the students for taking advantage of the child in question. With such an unknown level of relevant facts, preceding on with a sexual assault investigation, even at a school level, would not only be foolish but would likely implicate innocent individuals (Whiston, 1981).

Furthermore, with regards to the teacher's inquiry concerning whether or not the individual students may be gay, this circumstantial supposition is not only helpful in determining whether or not sexual assault is placed, it is stereotypical in judgment. What is meant by this is that the teacher automatically assumes that sexual assault was not taking place, the individuals witnessing the performance must necessarily be of different sexual orientation (Kress et al, 2003). This represents an incomplete and a rather close-minded understanding of human sexuality and further attempts to juxtapose situations that the teacher does not readily understand in terms of sexual orientation that may or may not be in fact the case for the individuals in question. In this way, it should be the counselor's express intent to discourage the teacher from jumping to any level of conclusion with regards to the sexual orientation of the student/students in question. Finally, with respect to the recommendations that can be given, this is where the counselor’s role becomes especially important with regard to the situation in question. Ultimately, the teacher has come to the counselor with an incomplete and rather unlettered accusation that she requests permission to pursue. Without a relevant amount of information, and/or production of the missing facts and proof that an actual victim might exist, the allegation that the teacher has brought forward must be taken into consideration; albeit not directly pursued with regards to an active investigation. However, with that being said, this does not illustrate a situation in which the school, the teacher, nor the counselor should turn a blind eye to the situation just has been defined (Grossman et al., 2009).

Rather, the role of each of these entities/individuals is to take this situation into consideration and actively monitor future interactions with regards to these individuals, and the possible evidence that might exist for sexual assault taking place. The case that has been presented, although troubling, is not sufficient to engage the administration with a sexual assault investigation; however, with that being said, the counselor can most certainly recommend and suggest to the teacher that the boys can and should be required to report to the counselor or to the principle as a means of gathering further information concerning the situation. With that being said, the word of the individuals involved, although taken into consideration, should not be understood to merit the final version of the truth. In such a way, it will be necessary to keep this situation under consideration and provide a more watchful eye on the activities and situations surrounding the individuals in question to ensure that no further incidents and/or bullying/assaults are taking place.