More Students Falsely Charge Teachers With Abuse

By Millicent Lawton

Whether driven by malice or misunderstanding, more students are falsely accusing teachers and administrators of sexual abuse, teachers' unions and lawyers who handle such cases say.

New state laws are responsible for some of the increase: In the mid-1980's, many states began requiring that people who work with children report suspected abuse.

Equally important, experts say, is that such charges--both false and legitimate--have increased as people have become more aware of sexual...