Author Topic: Bromley Brook staff member charged with assaulting students  (Read 7452 times)

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Offline Ursus

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Bromley Brook staff member charged with assaulting students
« on: December 27, 2009, 02:39:43 PM »
Bennington Banner
Man charged with assaulting students
KEITH WHITCOMB JR.
Posted: 12/14/2009 10:55:58 PM EST


BENNINGTON -- A Woodford man who worked at Bromley BrookSchool pleaded not guilty on Dec. 3 in BenningtonDistrict Court to allegations of sexual activity with two students there.

Exploitation charged

Theschool, located in Manchester, is a private boardingschool for teenage girls.

Stephen Peters, 40, is charged with felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. Mary Sallisky, director of operations at the school, said Monday that it is the school’s policy to neither confirm or deny a person’s employment for confidentiality reasons.

According to an affidavit filed by Manchester Police OfficerPaul McGann, on Oct. 14, he was notified by James Morris, an investigator with the Division of Families and Children Special Investigation Unit, about a report concerning alleged sexual activity between a 16-year-old female student at the Bromley Brook School and a 40-year-old employee.

McGann said that he spoke with an employee at the school who said a 17-year-old student reported knowing of a male employee, Peters, and a 16-year-old student who would use offices on the second floor of the school for sexual encounters.

The 17-year-old said she hadn’t witnessed the activity, but had been told of it by the 16-year-old and knew that another student was letting the 16-year-old use her e-mail account to communicate with Peters.

According to the affidavit, the 16-year-old was interviewed at the Bennington Child Advocacy Center. She said she had feelings for Peters and communicated with him via e-mail.

McGann said that on Oct. 15, he met with the 18-year-old student who said that Peters and the 16-year-old were in a sexual relationship and that she had used her computer to facilitate communication between them. McGann said the 18-year-old was interviewed a second time on Oct. 23, and in the interview, she said that the 16-year-old was her roommate and that Peters and the girl would talk about their relationship.

McGann said he interviewed the 17-year-old student, who said that the 16-year-old had told her about a relationship between her and Peters. According to the affidavit, the 17-year-old said that Peters was a coach and a teacher at the school.

According to the affidavit, on Oct. 22, the alleged victim spoke with McGann and said that she and Peters had been having sex since the middle of September, the last incident occurring on Oct. 11.

Second victim interview

McGann said the alleged victim was interviewed a second time on Nov. 24 at the CAC to record her earlier statements. According to the affidavit, the girl said she began to develop feelings for Peters in March, and she told him that she loved him while on a school camping trip.

According to the affidavit, Peters told the girl he loved her as well.

According to a second affidavit filed by McGann, on Nov. 24 he received a report from the Department of Children and Families that a 12-year-old student at the Bromley Brook School reported that she had been kissed on the lips by Peters.

According to the affidavit, the girl reported that Peters would ask questions about her experience with men and kissed her on the cheek and in later sessions, the lips.

McGann said he interviewed the girl, who said she used to talk with a person, whom she identified as Peters. She said he would check in on her to see how she was doing. The girl said she was attacked by her roommate and that Peters had intervened.

According to the affidavit, the girl said that the first time Peters kissed her was in September when he had been "fighting" with another female. According to the affidavit, the girl also reported an incident in which Peters ran his hand up her leg.

She said she had been kissed on the lips by Peters three times and the cheek twice.

Peters was released on conditions that he not have contact with anyone under the age of 18, except for his own children. He was also ordered not to go onto the premises of any school where minors attend. He also must not go on the grounds of Bromley Brook School or have contact with anyone at the school.


The Bennington Banner 425 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201 | (802) 447-2025
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Offline Ursus

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Teacher accused of sexual relations with students
« Reply #1 on: December 27, 2009, 07:16:47 PM »
WCAX.com - Vermont's Trusted News Source for 55 years
Teacher accused of sexual relations with students
Manchester, Vermont - December 15, 2009


Stephen Peters

A school employee in Bennington County is accused of sexual activity with students.

Stephen Peters, 40, of Woodford, is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.

According to police, while employed as a teacher and a coach at the Bromley Brook School in Manchester, Peters had sexual relations with a 16-year-old girl and 12-year-old girl.

He was released on conditions and ordered to stay away from the school and minors.


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Offline Ursus

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Comments for "Teacher accused of sexual relations with stude
« Reply #2 on: December 27, 2009, 11:25:27 PM »
Comments for the above news bit, "Teacher accused of sexual relations with students" (WCAX.com; Dec. 15, 2009):


Concerned 12/15/2009, 11:54:37
    He was ordered to stay away from school and minors? What makes anyone think that he will abide by that order? Seems to me sexual relations with a 12 year old girl is a no brainer too. DON'T!!! But obviously he did.
    Also Concerned 12/15/2009, 13:36:27
      Charged doesn't mean guilty...why bother having courts and trials if accusations are enough? The emotional reaction always leads to poor judgment, so please, wait until a verdict is issued and then have your say.
    Guest 12/16/2009, 15:59:30
      He is guilty. A dirty pervert who needs to spend a long time as the cell bitch.
    [/list]
    wondering 12/15/2009, 14:56:22
      Were those students of his? If he has had relations with those two .... how many others has he had relations with? Was he ever employed in any other school?
    Albert 12/17/2009, 12:04:14
      Ok, innocent unless proven guilty- then hang em.
    support 12/17/2009, 15:52:52
      i was a student at BBS for 12 months, thoes girls will say ANYTHING to get out of that prison. thoes girls need to be put on trial for defamation of character!!!
    Stud. FAIL! 12/18/2009, 17:02:50
      Wondering* Stephen Peters also worked at Bennington School.
    LOSER! 12/21/2009, 17:47:21
      If anyone really knows of that perv they would believe he is guilty! Stop trying to cover it up. He is a womanizer. Everyone knows. Small state. GUILTY!


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    Offline Anonymous

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    Bromley Brook staff member charged with assaulting students
    « Reply #3 on: December 27, 2009, 11:44:08 PM »
    This guy related to Christopher Paul Neil?  

    http://www.interpol.int/public/icpo/pre ... 200748.asp
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    Offline Anonymous

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    Re: Bromley Brook staff member charged with assaulting students
    « Reply #4 on: December 28, 2009, 01:07:22 AM »
    "At Bromley Brook, our faculty is hand-selected for their professional expertise and their boundless enthusiasm for working with girls."

    12 yr old girl - what a perv
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    Offline Ursus

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    Media Statement For Bromley Brook School
    « Reply #5 on: December 28, 2009, 10:22:38 AM »
    Breaking News
    Posted: Dec 22, 2009

    Bromley Brook School
    Manchester Center, VT

    Media Statement For Bromley Brook School

    Contact:
    David G. Hans, Psy.D.
    Executive Director
    866-537-2702
    [email protected]

    December 22, 2009

    "A male staff member of Bromley Brook School has been charged with inappropriate relations with two female students. Upon hearing of the alleged incident, we took immediate action and contacted the appropriate agencies including the Vermont Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division, and subsequently the Manchester Police Department, and have cooperated fully with these agencies in their investigation. In addition, we immediately notified the parents of each of our students and continue to work closely with the parental guardians of the involved students.

    "Bromley Brook School takes an allegation of this nature very seriously and has zero tolerance for the alleged behaviors. We conduct thorough screenings of all staff members prior to hiring, in compliance with all state regulations, to ensure that we hire quality individuals. All employees are subject to a complete background check through the Vermont Criminal Information Center and the Department for Children and Families' Vermont Child Protection Registry and Adult Abuse Registry. The staff member in question had a clean background check. We can confirm that he is no longer employed by the school.

    "Bromley Brook is a residential boarding school for girls and has been providing college-preparatory curriculum and therapeutic support to students ages 14-17 for over five years. We have established best practices and uphold the high standards of care needed to be licensed by Vermont Department of Children and Family Services and accredited by the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA).

    "We are unable to comment further on this matter due to the ongoing nature of the case. Bromley Brook School operates under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and is legally bound to the confidentiality and privacy requirements of HIPAA. As such, we do not disclose the names of our staff, students or families."


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    Offline Ursus

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    Rae Ann Knopf and Bromley Brook School
    « Reply #6 on: December 29, 2009, 10:14:05 AM »
    Gotta wonder what Vermont's newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of Education Rae Ann Knopf must be thinking about all this. After all, she founded Bromley Brook.

    But hey, with a resume which includes Vision Quest and CEDU / Brown Schools as part of Knopf's time in the trenches, crap like this oughta be old hat by now...

      Rae Ann Knopf has worked nationally over the last 26 years to establish learning communities where young people can thrive and realize their true potential. She uses her experience as a school administrator, clinical director, corporate executive and organizational development specialist to lead statewide efforts to continue strengthening Vermont’s educational system by implementing tiered systems of support and intervention for academics and behavior.

      Prior to joining the department, she has shown a career-long commitment to students in need in a whole range of educational settings, including serving as the Executive Director, Founder and Head of Bromley Brook Secondary School for the Aspen Education Group in Cerritos, CA; as the Vice President of Private Education Operations, and as the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, of CEDU Family of Services for the Brown Schools of Boston. Prior to that, she served several years at VisionQuest National LTD in Arizona, a national organization providing treatment to adolescents with severe emotional and behavior difficulties. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Western Michigan University, and her Master of Social Work in Social Policy and Organizational Development from the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Knopf most recently founded an academically rigorous residential secondary school in Manchester, Vermont for girls facing significant personal and emotional challenge.
      [/list]

      See ALSO.
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      Offline Ursus

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      Bromley Brook teacher charged with sex crimes
      « Reply #7 on: December 31, 2009, 10:12:20 AM »
      Rutland Herald
      Bromley Brook teacher charged with sex crimes
      By PATRICK McARDLE STAFF WRITER - Published: December 28, 2009

      MANCHESTER – An employee of the Bromley Brook School, who one student told police was a coach and a teacher, has been charged with two felonies after police said he kissed a 12-year-old student several times and had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student.

      Stephen F. Peters, 40, of Woodford, was arraigned in Bennington District Court on Dec. 2 on felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. Peters pleaded not guilty to both charges.

      In a statement, Bromley Brook School Executive Director David Hans said staff at the school could not discuss specifics about staff members or students because of federal privacy laws.

      "Upon hearing of the alleged incident, we took immediate action and contacted the appropriate agencies including the Vermont Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division, and subsequently the Manchester Police Department, and have cooperated fully with these agencies in their investigation. In addition, we immediately notified the parents of each of our students and continue to work closely with the parental guardians of the involved students," Hans said in the statement.

      Bromley Brook, which has operated in Manchester for more than five years, is a residential boarding school for girls between the ages of 14 and 17 "who have difficulty finding success in a traditional school setting," according to the school's Web site.

      Manchester-based attorney Stephen Saltonstall, who represents Peters, said on Wednesday that his client was not guilty and said he intended to move forward to bring the case to trial.

      In an affidavit, Manchester police Officer Paul McGann said he had begun to investigate allegations made against Peters in October after he had been contacted by a DCF investigator.

      McGann said he learned that administrators at Bromley Brook had been told by a student about the alleged relationship between Peters and a 16-year-old student.

      In an interview conducted at the Manchester Police Department on Oct. 23, the girl's roommate told McGann that the student and Peters had told her about the relationship.

      "According to (the roommate,) Peters was advising her that he loved (the girl) and wanted to marry her. She also stated that Peters and (the girl) were looking for her approval concerning their relationship," McGann wrote.

      McGann said he interviewed the girl at the school on Oct. 22. According to the affidavit, the girl described an ongoing sexual relationship with Peters that began in September and continued through October.

      McGann investigated another complaint on Nov. 24, after a school counselor reported that a 12-year-old student had said Peters had kissed her on the mouth.

      According to the affidavit, McGann interviewed both girls at different times at the Child Advocacy Center in Bennington. Both interviews were video recorded.

      McGann said the 12-year-old girl said Peters had seemed to take an interest in her life but that he later kissed her on the mouth three times and on the cheek three times. She said he also touched her leg during the incident when he first kissed her on the cheek, according to the affidavit.

      Hans said the administrators of Bromley Brook School "takes an allegation of this nature very seriously and has zero tolerance for the alleged behaviors."

      According to Hans, the school conducts background checks through the state's Criminal Information Center and the state Child Protection Registry and Adult Abuse Registry, but that Peters had a "clean" record.

      While the statement never identified Peters by name, it said that he was no longer employed by the school.

      Jill Remick, a spokeswoman for the Vermont Department of Education, said on Tuesday that if an educator was facing this kind of accusation, an investigation would begin whether criminal charges were filed or not. However, the only enforcement action available to the department would be the revocation of a license if the employee has one.

      Peters was released from custody without bail on Dec. 2, but ordered not to have contact with children except his own or in the presence of his wife.

      He is scheduled to be in court again on Jan. 6.

      If convicted of the charges, Peters would face up to 20 years in prison. The charge of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child carries a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison.

      patrick.mcardle@rutland herald.com


      © 2008 Rutland Herald
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      Offline Ursus

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      Comments for "Bromley Brook teacher charged with sex crimes"
      « Reply #8 on: January 01, 2010, 12:55:19 PM »
      Comments for the above article, "Bromley Brook teacher charged with sex crimes" (by Patrick McArdle; Rutland Herald; Dec. 28, 2009):


      ____________________________________________________________________
      In Vermont it is ok to do this in fact these teachers come from out of State to pray on our children, he is facing the same time as a murder but yet he will be released without having to post bail and out of facing 20 years in jail he will NOT DO A DAY!!! You watch!You know why it is because these guys do the same thing themselves and if they get caught they do not want jail.
        -- Posted by
      None None on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 5:32 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      None None, don't you have anything to do?
        -- Posted by
      Terry Ward on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 5:49 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      One important point has been left out: the age of consent in Vermont is 16. Peters hasn't committed a crime here unless the relationship started before the girl turned 16. His alleged behavior is slimy, obviously, and if he's made sexual advances against a 12-year-old he should be prosecuted, but you'd think the authorities would be aware of the age of consent.
        -- Posted by
      Red Wood on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 7:25 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      Red Wood,
      Actually the law has provisions for a person in a position of authority over a person, ie student, developmenttally, challenged, etc. The 16 year old age of consent would not apply here.
        -- Posted by
      Joel Davidson on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 8:00 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      the problem with prosecuting this scum is that children that have issues are considered not reliable so given the nature of where he was working he probably counted on that fact. I know this because someone very close to me was sexually abused and by someone in authority and because of the nature of this mans work with the family it never went to court. He is on probation but he never went to jail because of the reliability of the witness. Other kids came forward but because the other children had mental health issues this scum was never prosecuted for them.
        -- Posted by
      city observant on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 9:05 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      to pray on our children? Right none none...i can totally take you seriously now that I had to sift through your word jumble.

      Red Wood the age of consent with a Parent's Permission is 16, get your facts straight.

      And here in the Great United States of America, We are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, Maybe you jackals should go look for blood elsewhere until this guy gets his right to a fair and speedy trial. If he is guilty, Then you can tear into him. But I am willing to bet everything I own none of you are perfect saints. Go back to communist china if you want to destroy people's lives on an accusation.
        -- Posted by
      bob vila on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 9:34 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      yeah! if I have a 16 yr old. I would so want them to date a 40 yr old. We can all only imagine-bob vila- what kind of pervert you are to even think that is an appropriate relationship. Kids dont make those accusation to destroy peoples lives. People that do that to children destroy their lives. Get your facts right.
        -- Posted by
      city observant on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 9:41 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      One more thing. Perverts that pray on children rarely see trial because the trial itself is yet another traumatic experience the child must endure to see justice is served. Unfortunately most of the kids that have been victimized are so traumatized already that making them sit and court and face the person that hurt them is more trauma than they can endure so the perverts get off with only probation. Until you see how this sick act affects a child who has been victimized you should keep your mouth shut
        -- Posted by
      city observant on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 9:43 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      city observant, Thank you...I was grabbed on the street in Hydeville, on a Sunday morning, when I was 15 years old. This was back in 1977. I gave a statement to the Vermont State Police. Even though this person grabbed me in a private area they told me they could not consider it sexual assault. I did not know this man. I have had to live with this and will have to live with this for the rest of my life. It has definitely caused me to have a myriad of problems, especially trust issues. That was 1977. This guy is now on the Vermont Sex Offender Registry for several convictions but, didn't get the first conviction until 1990. If the State Police had done something when I first made the complaint it could have saved others. Now I also have to live with the fact that people don't understand why I don't trust law enforcement to help. Go Figure.
        -- Posted by
      White Witch on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 10:21 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      To "bob vila": read the law. There is nothing in it requiring a 16-year-old to get a parent's permission to engage in sexual activity. Such a concept flies in the face of human nature. Get your facts straight.

      Though there is nothing in Vermont's sexual assault statute specifically stating that a person in authority misusing that authority to garner sexual favors is a crime, it can be a form of coercion and therefore sexual assault under some circumstances. The water here is a little murkier.
        -- Posted by
      Red Wood on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 11:12 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      Also, the word is "prey," not "pray." Learn to spell before writing a comment.
        -- Posted by
      Red Wood on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 11:14 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      Red Wood,

      Here's the relevant T.13 V.S.A. § 3252. Sexual assault

      (a) No person shall engage in a sexual act with another person and compel the other person to participate in a sexual act:

      (1) without the consent of the other person; or

      (2) by threatening or coercing the other person; or

      (3) by placing the other person in fear that any person will suffer imminent bodily injury.

      (b) No person shall engage in a sexual act with another person and impair substantially the ability of the other person to appraise or control conduct by administering or employing drugs or intoxicants without the knowledge or against the will of the other person.

      (c) No person shall engage in a sexual act with a child who is under the age of 16, except:

      (1) where the persons are married to each other and the sexual act is consensual; or

      (2) where the person is less than 19 years old, the child is at least 15 years old, and the sexual act is consensual.

      (d) No person shall engage in a sexual act with a child who is under the age of 18 and is entrusted to the actor's care by authority of law or is the actor's child, grandchild, foster child, adopted child, or stepchild.

      (e) No person shall engage in a sexual act with a child under the age of 16 if:

      (1) the victim is entrusted to the actor's care by authority of law or is the actor's child, grandchild, foster child, adopted child, or stepchild; or

      (2) the actor is at least 18 years of age, resides in the victim's household, and serves in a parental role with respect to the victim.

      (f)(1) A person who violates subsection (a), (b), (d), or (e) of this section shall be imprisoned not less than three years and for a maximum term of life, and, in addition, may be fined not more than $25,000.00.

      (2) A person who violates subsection (c) of this section shall be imprisoned for not more than 20 years, and, in addition, may be fined not more than $10,000.00.

      (g) A person convicted of violating subsection (a), (b), (d), or (e) of this section shall be sentenced under section 3271 of this title. (Added 1977, No. 51, § 1; amended 1985, No. 83, § 2; 1989, No. 293 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2005, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. May 26, 2006.)

      Look at section (c)(2)(d) of the law. The authority of law applies to teachers, coaches etc.

      Hope this helps.
        -- Posted by
      Joel Davidson on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 11:50 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      Manchester-based attorney Stephen Saltonstall, who represents Peters, said on Wednesday that his client was not guilty.

      How could he possibly know that? Since no one ever believes anything that any lawyer ever says, why do they even bother to talk?
        -- Posted by
      Michael in Vermont on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 12:59 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      Thanks, Joel, although I did have that page up when I wrote my comment.

      Michael, you have to stop getting your ideas of justice off TV. That's not how our system works. An accusation is not evidence. It is up to the prosecution to gather together enough evidence to prove guilt. Until guilt is proven, the accused is considered to be innocent. The criminal standard of proof is quite high in order to prevent innocent people from going to jail. Peters' lawyer is being correct; his client has not been proven guilty.
        -- Posted by
      Red Wood on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 1:19 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      Everyone here assumes the guy is guilty.

      What if the 16 year old is teed off about something, her grades, her parents making her go to this school, her not being allowed to see her old friends at home, the list could be endless.

      What if the 16 year old and the 12 year old are friends and the 16 year old is trying to get back at this guy for something, and has coerced the 12 year old into a story of her own?

      I would be the first one in line to convict if I was absolutely sure without any doubt...probably even vote for castration in these kinds of cases...or locking them up and throwing away the key.

      Is it possible that there could be some people that make up this kind of story for whatever reason???
        -- Posted by
      Citizen With a View on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 1:51 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      I did a story when I was in college about sexual predators and people that are abused. I did alot of research on the law and statistics. The statistics prove that children dont make up accusations like this one as often as children are actually victimized. The posts on here that question the perpetrators guilt or innocence have a right to do so, the only thing I wonder is if the question would still be there if the children were in a different setting, such as a private school. Maybe these children have problems far beyond the scope of what we are told. All I know is that accusations like this should be taken seriously and no matter what to believe the child and get the facts. Although it does happen that occasionally a child will make up a story it is very rare according to what I have read in the psychology journals. I applaud the school for taking these accusations seriously and the parents for acting on it. That in itself will make the difference in the emotional damage of the children. We will just have to see how this plays out to see if he is guilty or innocent. Also, predators tend to work in professions where they have access to children that are easy targets. Such as teachers, coaches AND THERAPISTS. Its sad but true.
        -- Posted by
      city observant on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 2:27 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      bob vila wrote:
      "Go back to communist china if you want to destroy people's lives on an accusation."
      In the context of his post, and with free speech in mind, I guess he can make this statement. But why, "Go back?" Go back in time? Or, why refer to China?
      I do wish that we were all innocent until proven guilty in this country, although the TSA actions/regs state otherwise!
      I tend to bristle when folks throw out "China/communist" comments as we have family living there and have visited this country - a country that faces humongous issues and is trying to address them.
      Also, am so tired of the Native issue tossed out - some of us are of the real natives, which can be from all points USA...and even our ancestors emigrated here - from China!
        -- Posted by
      chere tournet on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 4:57 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      this stuff happens all the time troubled teens in a place where they dont want to be with people who they dont like so they make things up to get that person in trouble or to get get out of doing something them selfs. the fact that this kids room mate is for now the only one backing any of this up makes me think that its not reel, but lets see where it ends up befor we go hanging anyone ok none none and all you other linch types. God just think about it for a while
        -- Posted by
      Wayne Davis on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 5:11 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      Red Wood scolds me that: Peters' lawyer is being correct; his client has not been proven guilty.

      I didn't say he had been proven guilty. His lawyer didn't say that he was not guilty until he is proven guilty. He didn't even say that his client claims that he is not guilty. His lawyer stated flatly that his client is not guilty.

      Once again, he could not possibly know that. So why bother say it?
        -- Posted by
      Michael in Vermont on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 6:03 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      Just because the 16 year old might not dig school is no reason to assume she is lying as he also stands accused of kissing a 12 year old girl too and even though that is not considered a sex act in the eyes of the law, if when I was 12 and got kissed on the lips by a teacher my foster parents would have gone ballistic as that is crossing the line too. And several of you are exactly right about predators, they know where the children are and teachers, counselors and I speak from experience there, I was raped at age 14 at Weeks School, anyone remember that hell hole? I was sent there by my parents because they no longer wanted me and the first night I am there, I am raped and nothing was ever done to the bastard that did it and he had done it to other residents and not one person believed us because he was such a fine upstanding citizen for "counseling" troubled teens and we were all "bad kids" lying through through our teeth. It took me many years to overcome what that bastard did to me and he got away it and I am willing to bet he continued to do it after I left there, I had a social worker who knew I did not belong there, I had done nothing wrong except run away from people who did not love or want me because I was not a "perfect child" and Bless her, she was able to get me into a great foster home where I excelled as I felt love for the first time without conditions and I truly bless those folks to this day. SO I am going to assume this man did these crimes of which he is charged, he is 40 years old, about the same age as my rapist and this was not consensual, no girl at 16 is going to welcome advances from someone that age. And kissing a 12 year old, my god-daughter is 12 and if she were to tell me that her 40 year old teacher kissed her, I would be on the horn to the sheriff's dept in seconds and he would be in custody in minutes!!! But this is VT, where babyrapers get 30 day sentences and the dude who sells a joint to a consenting adult gets 3 yrs so it will be interesting to see if this creep actually does any prison time.
        -- Posted by
      Linda Brown on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 7:18 pm EST[/list]

      ____________________________________________________________________
      How's this, IF he is found guilty I hope that he rots in jail or worse. Plain, simple and to the point. IF he is guilty he is one sick person and I commend the kid's that come forward when things like this happen.
        -- Posted by
      Rebecca Brown on Mon, Dec 28, 2009, 9:53 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      you can tell some of these people here have a fine vermont education.Pray and prey are two differant words for your info. I love it when people try to look so smart and can't even spell.
        -- Posted by
      md on Tue, Dec 29, 2009, 8:52 am EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      md... "differant"?
        -- Posted by
      concerned citizen on Tue, Dec 29, 2009, 12:49 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      If this teacher actually did this, he deserves all that is coming his way. However, in seems that nobody in this discussion so far has mentioned, or even knows, what kind of school the Bromley Brook schools is.

      It is a boarding school for girls with very significant emotional and self esteem issues. As a result, there may be significant credibility questions in these accusations.

      http://www.bromleybrook.com/profile.html
        -- Posted by
      Ray Makul on Tue, Dec 29, 2009, 1:09 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      as I said earlier, the man accused probably counted on the fact that there would be credibility issues. Thats why abusers pick those kind of professions.
        -- Posted by
      city observant on Tue, Dec 29, 2009, 1:39 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      Hey Concerned Citizen......LOL LOL LOL.
      _
        -- Posted by
      None None on Tue, Dec 29, 2009, 3:21 pm EST[/list]
      ____________________________________________________________________
      michael in VT.... do you even know how the judicial system works? When first brought into court, you and your lawyer (if you have one) are asked to plea. Either guilty or not guilty. Guilty immedietly admits wrongdoing, the case can now go to punishment. However, in order to GET a FULL trial, you have to plea not guilty. So, in order to prove your innocence, or to give the prosecution a chance to prove your guilt, you MUST plea not guilty. so yeah, that would by the reason to say it. for some reason, the simple things seem to escape some people.
      Rebecca. I agree. If found guilty, let him go away for a VERY long time. If found not guilty however, just the accusation has removed this mans ability to work in his profession. its sad that in this great nation, a simple accusation, no matter how unfounded, can and does destroy a life. I wonder, what ever happened to "Innocent until proven guilty"? oh wait, thats a leeding heart liberal thing isnt it? you know, the same bleeding heart liberals who wrote the constitution?
        -- Posted by
      firedog on Wed, Dec 30, 2009, 8:14 pm EST[/list]


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      Offline Ursus

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      Man charged with assaulting students - TOPIX thread
      « Reply #9 on: September 30, 2011, 06:12:26 PM »
      Here's a TOPIX thread connected to a Manchester Journal article... I'm pretty sure this is the same article as the OP above. It contains the same exact opening descriptive along with the same typos of "BrookSchool" and "BenningtonDistrict."

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      Man charged with assaulting students

      Full story: The Manchester Journal
      A Woodford man who worked at Bromley BrookSchool pleaded not guilty on Dec. 3 in BenningtonDistrict Court to allegations of sexual activity with two students there.


      1 sTOP New Milford, CT · Dec 18, 2009
        Children in Vermont are giving the choice to make-up stories. Since the Dept of SociaL Services need to keep their jobs...... So lets hear the Stories.......
        One day MAYBE the real Stories will come out.

        Let's keep the Lawyers, and the Social wokers employed!
      2 anonymous Sarasota, FL · Dec 18, 2009
        I went to Bromley Brook, and it is a school for troubled girls, As a result of the type of school Bromley Brook is, a large amount of the students are girls who lie simply for the attention.

        Steve Peters is an amazing person and the girls at this school have created what is simply slander and in the process have tarnished his reputation.

        I don't believe this for a second, and it's sad people in positions of authority are listening to these girls, who are at this school because they both had and caused serious problems at home, over a man who has been well respected in the community for years.
      3 former BBS student Bedford, NY · Dec 18, 2009
        Although i do not believe these allegations, i also do not believe in Bromley Brook School and its manipulative tactics in order to be a business, rather a support system to teenage girls who truly are in need .
        I understand that the school and staff has much potential and good intentions, although the staff employed there are completely chosen at random it seems and not suit for the job under any circumstance. Being a girl who had attended BBS for ten months, as well as a residential treatment program for one year prior to choosing to attend BBS, I realized quickly that Bromley Brook School was not what they stated to be when I had signed myself in with the support of my parents.
        BBS taught me to hide my feelings, bad habits, etc... as opposed to express myself and my troubles. The way the school goes about handling certain situations is completely inappropriate. If one or a few of the girls is having difficulty, or makes a mistake, in stead of teaching the girls how to cope with the issue, it appears as if the staff does not want to deal with it, and rather use a "group punishment" method. In other words, if there is "drama" between one of the girls, a staff member etc... the entire school usually would be sent to there rooms for however long the headmaster felt necessary, as a consequence. As an eighteen year old attending the school, i never understood the purpose of "punishing" the entire group of girls for one persons mistake and never addressing it properly. I understood the concept that actions affect everyone around you. However, when there is no explanation to why, it is pointless and the situation never failed to rise again. Every issue that arose in the community would be "swept under the rug" per say, in stead of being dealt with.
        One of my main concerns, as well as my parents, was always that they are extremely manipulative when it comes to convincing parents and/or guardians to send there child or have their daughter attend their school. This is what my conception of there "business-ran school" as opposed to what it should be, to help and support those teen girls in need of getting back in touch with their real selves and re-building self esteem and relationships.
        Bromley Brook will do anything for a desperate parent trying to help and love their daughter, even when it is the hardest thing for a parent to let their child go when they need help the most- just to get the money in their pockets. I would never recommend enrolling my daughter to any aspen program if she really needed help from "professionals". Overall, the school is completely unorganized and very inconsistent with values and morals they try to enforce upon the school. It isn't what it is put out to be. Their business is more focused on status with the public eye, than helping girls in need.
        With all that being said, Steve Peters is however a whole-hearted and caring person. I personally do not think he would disrespect or cross boundaries especially in a therapeutic environment with anybody. He always wore a smile, and was very to the point, as well as always available for whoever needed support, or just an ear to listen to. He always tried to improve the school and I hope things get better for him.
      4 former 2007 BBS student Woodstock, NY · Dec 19, 2009
        I fully agree that girls at this school come to lie for attention. Maybe they're desperate to get out of the school, maybe they're delusional. Steve Peters is truly an amazing person. My father grew up knowing him, and these accusations are completely ludacris and out of character for him. Steve guided me through a tough part of my life, and inspired me to look ahead to the future. He changed my life for knowing him, and I'm praying for him.
      5 anonymous Andover, MA · Dec 21, 2009
        i went to bromley brook too, it was bound to happen, i feel bad for the victim that this would ever happen to her in such a bad way, however I do not at all feel bad for Steve Peters. not one bit! because he was always all over girls, that's why I say it was bound to happen someday I just can't believe it happened to her. its embarrassing for him, I mean seriously Manchester center is about the size of your pinky finger everybody's going to know. i hope nothing bad happens to her or him, i just think that it should be something hard to a little time because he acted like such a smart man in doing the right thing making the right move. One step at a time. And now this. It is disgusting to think that a 40 year old man would ever do something like that. Disgusting! thats all I have to say on that topic
      6 former student of bbs East Greenwich, RI · Dec 24, 2009
        when i attended bbs i found that it was very common for girls to create vicious lies and rumors about others. steve peters has been a huge part of bbs for many years and does not deserve to be convicted of something this repulsive. this is absolutely ridiculous.
      7 current BBS student Miami Beach, FL · Dec 24, 2009
        As a current student at Bromley Brook school, I strongly believe that these alligations are indeed false. I've been attending Bromley for quite some time now and all I can say about Steve Peters is that he has been one of the most inspiring role models to ever help and support me through my times of struggles. The victum, however, is known to be quite the story teller. Think about it, how far would someone go to get the oppertunity to leave BBS? I know Steve very well, he is in fact one of my best friends, and an inspiration to many students. The "victum" is now at another school less structered than bromley and has ruined an innocent mans life, and his wife and children. If you honestly believe that Steve Peters would even consider something like this, then you obvisously don't know steve, or has an opinion you know nothing about. I know it's not true, I know it never happened. SO THESE RUMORS NEED TO STOP BECAUSE IT'S RUINING THE LIFE OF HIS FAMILY AND HISELF...
        AND IF THIS WAS YOUR FATHER GOING THROUGH THIS ****, HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?
      8 jayrow Nanuet, NY · Apr 27, 2010
        this is complete ****!
      9 NOT a BBS Student Bennington, VT · Apr 28, 2010
        it would appear that the girls at BBS were tried by a jury of their peers and found guilty. Hmmm
      10 was a bbs student Lynn, MA · Aug 20, 2010
        this school is horrifying and disgusting i went there and yes steve was an amazing person when i was there and helped me through alot but now im questioning his motives especially since he plead guilty. Bottom line is this school makes people worse when they get out of wilderness.
      11 i knew steve Greenfield, MA · Aug 25, 2010
        this is a man that i met and spoke to on several occasions. i came to find that he not only was a compulsive liar but thought himself a god amongst his "students". let us all realize one thing, before we condemn the girls involved... HE ADMITTED TO IT AND PLEAD GUILTY! the evidence was there.
      12 old bbs student Madison, NJ · Oct 20, 2010
          NOT a BBS Student wrote:
          it would appear that the girls at BBS were tried by a jury of their peers and found guilty. Hmmm
          [/list][/size]they were NOT tried in front of their peers... i was one and i would'e been one of the first people there if so.[/list]
          13 one of the girls involved Claremont, NH · Feb 20, 2011
            He did admit and it was all true ... and we were not tried that's gay and a very false lie... Steve has issues he's crazy and messed up I just can't believe he didn't gt put away longer if only u could witness the things he put me through
          14 former BBS student Oviedo, FL · Mar 21, 2011
            Unfortunately I attended Bromley Brook school between the ages of 14 and 15 while facing some personal issues. One of the only things I came to value at that school was the friend and leadership that several of the employees provided. In fact, these relationships that were built were often the only thing that kept me
          [as well as most of the students] from going absolutely crazy! Stephen Peters was one of said community leaders that I admired most and I can NEVER, EVER recall him being inappropriate with ANY of the students or faculty in any way whatsoever. He wasn't even close to EVER being out of line.

          Gossip-mongering is rampant at that school and while I would like to maintain an open mind with this particular situation (in the way that someone obviously did something, whether it was the student or the employee), I would also like to point out the fact that assumptions cannot be made off the bat. Of course from what I remember at this school assumptions were very often made and facts were often ignored.

          Here is where I need to tread carefully with my words: With all of this being said in the previous paragraph, plenty of the students there are often in Vermont for lying in the first place. I am NOT accusing the two students of lying but I am letting people know that this man had never done anything more than create a positively appropriate and enjoyable influence during a period in which myself as well as my fellow students were going through a rough time.[/list]


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          Offline Ursus

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          Teacher pleads guilty to child sex charges
          « Reply #10 on: September 30, 2011, 11:27:16 PM »
          Here we go; the perp finally comes out with his admission of guilt. It's incredible that he doesn't even get any jail time. Vermont seems to be almost as bad as Maine in these matters:

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          WCAX.com
          Teacher pleads guilty to child sex charges

          Bennington, Vermont - April 9, 2010


          Stephen Peters

          A former teacher and coach in Bennington County admits he molested a former student.

          40-year-old Stephen Peters, of Woodford, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor. Prosecutors say when he worked at the Bromley Brook School in Manchester, he had sexual contact with a 16-year-old girl there. It was consensual.

          Under the plea deal, Peters will not go to jail. He will be placed on probation for five years and receive sex offender treatment.

          Peters no longer works at the school.


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          Offline Ursus

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          Former teacher pleads guilty in teen sex case
          « Reply #11 on: October 01, 2011, 02:08:09 AM »
          Another article with a bit more detail:

          -------------- • -------------- • --------------

          Rutland Herald
          Former teacher pleads guilty in teen sex case

          By PATRICK McARDLE STAFF WRITER - Published: April 9, 2010

          MANCHESTER – A former educator at the Bromley Brook School pleaded guilty on Wednesday to having sexual contact with a 16-year-old student at the school on three occasions between Sept. 1 and Oct. 14.

          Stephen F. Peters, 40, of Woodford, pleaded guilty in Bennington District Court to three misdemeanor charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. The state dismissed a felony charge of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child that had been brought in December.

          Bennington County State's Attorney Christina Rainville said the state had dismissed the charge because her office's investigators believed that while the student was credible, the incident did not constitute a criminal act. The lewd and lascivious conduct charge involved a different student who was 12 when she spoke to police.

          Under a plea agreement, Peters is expected to serve six to 12 months in prison on each count with the sentences to be served consecutively, but the prison time will be suspended. Instead, Peters is expected to serve five years on probation under sex offender conditions and undergo sex offender treatment.

          However, under Vermont law, a defendant cannot be sentenced for crimes such as those to which Peters pleaded guilty until the Vermont Department of Corrections completes a pre-sentence investigation. Judge David Suntag ordered the investigation on Wednesday.

          According to a police affidavit filed in the case, Peters had a consensual sexual relationship with a student at Bromley Brook School

          Rainville said the student's family "strongly supported" the plea agreement. Neither the student nor her family were at the hearing, although they were invited, because they are not local and the student no longer attends Bromley Brook, Rainville said.

          The charges to which Peters entered guilty pleas require that the person with whom the defendant has sexual conduct be a minor; the defendant be at least four years older than the minor; and the defendant be in a position of supervision over the minor; in this case, because Peters was responsible for organized recreational activities that involved the minor.

          Peters could have been sentenced to up to a year in prison for each charge.

          Police said they had investigated Peters after Bromley Brook School officials contacted the Vermont Department of Children and Families in October.

          According to police, another student, who was the 16-year-old student's roommate, told police that Peters told her he "loved (the 16-year-old student) and wanted to marry her."

          The 16-year-old also confirmed she had a sexual relationship with Peters, according to police.

          Bromley Brook officials confirmed in December that Peters was no longer an employee of the school. In a statement that did not name Peters specifically, school officials said employees undergo background checks before they are hired but Peters' record was "clean."

          According to the school's Web site, Bromley Brook is a residential boarding school for girls between the ages of 14 and 17 "who have difficulty finding success in a traditional school setting."

          [email protected]


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          Offline AuntieEm2

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          Re: Bromley Brook staff member charged with assaulting stude
          « Reply #12 on: October 01, 2011, 08:18:44 AM »
          I don't know about Vermont law, but in most states a 16-year-old cannot give consent to sex with an adult (in some states they can give consent to another minor). The news reporting here is either irresponsible or sloppy.

          The rationale of "I loved her and wanted to marry her" is very typical flawed thinking on the part of an adult who has sex with children, and the fact that a vulnerable child was persuaded to participate in the relationship does not constitute consenusal sex. When every aspect of a person's life is under the total control of another--food, shelter, education, medical care, psychological care, when they sleep, when they eat, what they read, whether they may speak to another student, when they can graduate and be liberated from the program--there is nothing consensual (legally or otherwise) in the behavior. Isolated residential treatment environments are absolutely ideal settings for those with an intention to sexually abuse the vulnerable people under their control.  

          The fact that other students, staff, family, neighbors and friends were unaware of this 40-year-old's sexual behavior around children is in no way testimony to "he couldn't possibly do it." Child sexual abuse is so epidemically widespread--1 in 8 to 10 boys, 1 in 5 girls are victims--means that people in all our lives who we know, trust, admire and love are engaging in sexual behavior around children and we are unaware. Fact. Adults who sexually abuse children engage in highly secretive behavior, often for many years before being caught, and fear disclosure of their behavior to family and friends more than they fear disclosure to law enforcement. The fact that the behavior is taboo in society adds to its appeal--the taboo fuels the widespread appeal of pornography depecting "barely legal" girls and boys.

          It is important to note that when offenders complete specialized treatment for sexual behavior problems--again they must complete specialized treatment--87% do not reoffend. The recidivism rate is lower than for other crimes of violence and greed.

          If you or someone you know is having sexual thoughts around children, I urge you to visit http://http://www.stopitnow.org.

          Auntie Em
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          Tough love is a hate group.
          "I have sworn...eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." -Thomas Jefferson.

          Offline AuntieEm2

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          Re: Bromley Brook staff member charged with assaulting stude
          « Reply #13 on: October 01, 2011, 08:33:51 AM »
          One reason those who sexually abuse others choose emotionally and physically vulnerable persons (including children) is because they have "credibility problems." We have for years dismissed reports of abuse from 6-year-olds as fabrications the same way we dismiss the reports of abuse from 16-year-olds with "very significant emotional and self esteem issues" as "lies."

          One clear indication of the the man's guilt is his guilty plea. It is in fact legal proof of guilt.

          Auntie Em
          « Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
          Tough love is a hate group.
          "I have sworn...eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." -Thomas Jefferson.