Schools in Baltimore face legal action for alleged negligence in safeguarding students from a sexually predatory teacher.
TODAY'S SCANDAL: SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS ROCK BALTIMORE SCHOOLS
Baltimore, MD - Three courageous women have stepped forward to accuse a former special education teacher, Alvin Hunt, of sexual abuse that took place decades ago. At a press conference Monday, attorneys for the women claimed that Baltimore City Public Schools were aware of the abuse but failed to take action.
One of the plaintiffs, Pamela Coleman, stated that Hunt raped and impregnated her when she was just 14. After reporting the incident to her mother, Coleman was transferred to another school. Unfortunately, Hunt never faced justice for his actions due to the lack of prosecution at the time.
Hunt was also a sports coach, and the attorneys claim he was never held accountable for his actions. He continued to work for the school district for many years after the alleged incidents. Hunt is not named as a defendant in the lawsuits, which were filed against the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners.
Attorney Janai Woodhouse of the Baltimore law firm Murphy, Falcon & Murphy stated that the abuse was not hidden but tolerated within the school system. Woodhouse believes that the Child Victims Act, passed in Maryland in 2023, allows abuse survivors the opportunity to come forward and seek justice, even decades later.
Similar allegations have been reported in schools throughout the Baltimore and Anne Arundel County areas, highlighting the need for institutions to address past abuses and ensure the safety of students. The recent revisions to the Child Victims Act have been criticized for potentially limiting compensation for survivors, but these cases show just how important it is for survivors to have a voice and the opportunity to seek justice.
The three plaintiffs seek punitive damages in the lawsuits filed Friday in state court.
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Enrichment Data:
Historical Child Sexual Abuse Cases in Baltimore Schools
The recent lawsuit against Alvin Hunt is part of a growing number of child sexual abuse cases in Baltimore schools. The cases are significant due to the Child Victims Act and the allegations against educators such as Hunt.
Alvin Hunt Case
- Allegations: The lawsuit filed against Baltimore City Public Schools alleges that special education teacher Alvin Hunt sexually abused students in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- Response: The lawsuit claims that despite reports, the school district failed to act, allowing the abuse to continue.
Maryland's Child Victims Act
- Background: The Child Victims Act, passed in 2023, eliminated the statute of limitations for sexual abuse survivors. This measure was designed to allow survivors to file lawsuits decades after the abuse occurred.
- Revisions: As of June 1, 2025, revisions to the act limit financial compensation for survivors to $400,000 for claims against public institutions and $700,000 for claims against private institutions.
- Impact: The act has led to nearly 4,500 similar lawsuits being filed across Maryland, including cases against schools, the Department of Juvenile Services, and the Catholic Church.
Other Cases and Reactions
- Matthew Schlegel Case: In Anne Arundel County, a third-grade teacher, Matthew Schlegel, is facing trial for allegedly sexually abusing eight students. This case is one of many where educators have been accused of abuse in the region.
- Baltimore Catholic Schools: A lawsuit was filed against Calvert Hall College High School, alleging systemic child sexual abuse by clergy and staff members over six decades. This case also highlights the role of institutions in perpetuating abuse.
Impact and Reactions
The Child Victims Act has sparked both hope and controversy. While providing a legal avenue for survivors to seek justice, the recent revisions have been criticized for potentially limiting compensation and protecting institutions rather than victims. The cases of Alvin Hunt and others underscore the need for schools and institutions to address past abuses and ensure future safety for students.
- Education-and-self-development: The recent lawsuit against Alvin Hunt, a former special education teacher in Baltimore schools, is part of a growing number of child sexual abuse cases in the city's public schools, highlighting the need for institutions to address past abuses and ensure the safety of students.
- General-news: The Child Victims Act, passed in Maryland in 2023, has eliminated the statute of limitations for sexual abuse survivors, allowing them to file lawsuits decades after the abuse occurred. However, recent revisions to the act limit financial compensation for survivors, sparking controversy and criticism.
- Politics: In response to the growing number of child sexual abuse cases in Baltimore schools, local politicians are calling for stricter policies and oversight within the school system to protect students from predators like Alvin Hunt.
- Crime-and-justice: Alvin Hunt, who is not named as a defendant in the lawsuits, continued to work for the Baltimore City schools even after the alleged incidents due to the lack of prosecution at the time. The recent allegations have raised questions about the school system's handling of such cases and the need for justice for survivors.
