To many, it's a no-brainer message -- if you're a Clark County School District employee and engage in sexual misconduct with a student, you'll be fired, face criminal prosecution and ruin your future.
But with three School District employees arrested on sexual misconduct charges this summer alone, it's a message that bears repeating.
As part of last week's mandatory training sessions held at each campus, school employees must watch a video outlining the consequences of sexual misconduct with students. Produced by the district two years ago after a spate of high-profile employee arrests, principals were told this year to show the video to the entire school staff.
George Ann Rice, associate superintendent of human resources for the district, said the issue of sexual misconduct -- and how to prevent it -- has always been a priority.
"It's at the top -- it can't go any higher," said Rice, who appears in the video. "There's nothing we take more seriously than the safety and welfare of the children that parents entrust to our care."
The six-minute video includes an explanation of the state law that makes sex with a student a felony -- even if the victim is 16 or 17 years old. School employees are also warned to avoid even the appearance of impropriety by keeping their classroom doors open, not meeting alone with students and not forming personal relationships with pupils outside of the school setting.
A training video doesn't have to be lengthy to be effective, said Robert Butterworth, a Los Angeles psychologist specializing in youth trauma and sexual abuse who consults with and advises several national organizations.
"Perpetrators need to know the consequences of behavior," said Butterworth, whose wife is a teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District. "When you get pulled over for going 75 in a 55 mile-per-hour zone, the policeman says, 'Didn't you see the sign?' At least this way people can't say they weren't warned."
There's little that can be done to stop someone who is intent on committing a crime and few ways to predict such behavior, Butterworth said. But short of requiring lie detector tests or putting security cameras in every classroom, training and workshop sessions are the best available option, Butterworth said.
"In order to understand that something is wrong you need to be told why, and what can happen if you do it," Butterworth said. "It won't stop everybody, but it's what's available to us. And it's better than the alternative, which is doing nothing at all."
Lisa Hindman, a new teacher at Elise Wolff Elementary School in Henderson, said she understands why the district requires her to see the video.
"We work with kids -- it's a sensitive situation and children are vulnerable," Hindman said. "Unfortunately there's always going to be someone who behaves unprofessionally, and that reflects badly on all of us and that's true in any job, not just teaching."
Since 2001 there have been at least 20 Clark County School District employees arrested on sex-related charges. Background checks of each individual at the time of their hiring showed no criminal records, district officials said.
The most recent arrests include:
Terri Miller, executive director of Stop Teacher Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct and Exploitation in Las Vegas, said the School District could be doing even more to protect students.
Teachers should be told not to obstruct the window panels in their classroom doors with artwork or other coverings, Miller said. And administrators should set aside a supervised area for teachers to meet with students outside of class hours, Miller said.
"The majority of our teachers are excellent and they are looking out for the welfare of our children," Miller said. "But there needs to be improved communication, better reporting and more education throughout the year, not just at the start."
There are warning signs for parents and school staff that a student may be a victim of sexual abuse by a teacher or involved in an inappropriate relationship, Miller said. Red flags include:
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