Love In Action Turns in Teacher Accused of Having Sex with a Student
Posted on | March 9, 2006
Mike over at Ex-Gay Watch is reporting that Love In Action, a Tennessee ex-gay program, has apparently been involved in the arrest of a teacher from Florida who is facing charges of unlawful sexual activity with a sixteen year-old boy. Chad Stoffel is now facing four charges of unlawful sexual activity and battery of a minor for having a sexual relationship with the student. Whether or not the action was consentual between the twenty-nine year-old teacher and the boy, or any other circumstances of the relationship, have not been released that I could find so we simply do not know. However this is not the first time that this particular teacher has been accused of sexual activity with minors. In 1995 he was accused of molesting two boys around eight or nine in a different town but the alleged victims decline to prosecute.
One thing I want to make absolutely clear is that, while I wholeheartedly disagree with the purpose of their existence and believe they do more harm than good, Love In Action did the right thing in this case. One of the criticisms of Love In Action does not use certified people to conduct its programs. In this case, they did what a certified psychotherapist would have been required to do in cases like these. Being a student of psychology, my clinical classes have drilled into me the doctor-patient privacy escape clauses. These are situations where a therapist may break the confidentiality requirement, and in some cases has to do so by law, and alert authorities in certain circumstances. These are:
- The belief the individual poses a credible threat to themselves
- The belief the individual poses a credible threat to another individual
- Admissions of elder abuse
- Admissions of child abuse
This case would qualify under law as child abuse so Love In Action reported it as they would have had to if they were using certified psychotherapists. So we cannot fault them there as much as some would like to and I know some still will.
One thing that does concern me is how the right-wingers will once again seize upon this as more "proof" that homosexuality translates into pedophilia. Unfortunately some of the less educated folks out there buy into that bullshit. It happens with heterosexual teachers too. I know several teachers with careers spanning decades and a few of them have told me stories about some male teachers who have molested students. One, as a representative of the district’s local education association, had to read a fellow male teacher his Miranda rights when he was accused of molesting a female student. Then of course we have national headlines like that of Mary Kay Letourneau who has had two children by one of her students. So there is no real point to chew on ones liver and froth at the mouth over gay teachers.
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5 Responses to “Love In Action Turns in Teacher Accused of Having Sex with a Student”
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March 13th, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
I have to say having known Chad Stoffel when he was a student at Palm Beach Atlantic College and dating my (female) best friend for a few years, i am NOT at all shocked about his arrest last weekend for Child abuse. He always struggled with homosexuality, that was no secret, but the shock comes when you realize just how much work he did with children through Church, School and Mission Trips. This is a man who has probably spent the better part of his life around kids, who knows how many others he abused.
I always told my best friend, who Stoffel dated, that something was wrong with him and that she couldnt change him or his sexual preference. She claimed she could change him and that she despretly wanted to marry him and have his children. Yeah right! Could you imagine if that monster had kids?
All i can say is that im sorry i ever knew Chad and i hope he gets what he deserves.
March 26th, 2006 @ 11:01 pm
How can you kick a man while he is down?
April 1st, 2006 @ 4:27 pm
I also know Chad personally and have seen him confess what he has done. To call him a monster is a bit to far. The man is sick and needs help, not condemnation. I am not saying what he has done is acceptable (by no means), for I have been abused myself (not by Chad). I have seen his pain and remorse, and I believe that there is hope for him.
As far as Love in Action is concerned in this matter, I do believe that they did the right thing. Getting the truth out was probably the most therapeutic thing that could have been done for Chad. Facing the consequences of his actions will help him realize that his actions effect more than just himself.
I agree with your sentiments about pedophilia. Homosexuality does not go “hand in hand” with child molestation, and this idea angers me immensely.
April 28th, 2006 @ 4:01 pm
I knew Chad, he was a good guy. To hear this is kind of shocking and I know he hurt a lot of people, but he also helped change tons of lives (in a good way). He realizes that he was wrong and now he’s trying to make things right. Since he’s left, the praise and worship class, and chapel have been better. People are getting closer to God. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” All sin is equal, some just have greater consequences. God is faithful and just to forgive… shouldn’t we do the same?
May 21st, 2006 @ 1:39 am
I knew Chad when we were kids; junior high and high school. He was my best friend in 9th grade and even flew to California from Texas to go to prom with me in 11th grade. I loved him and am just saddened. I just found out tonight after googling his name. My heart is hurting for his victims, for his family, and for him.