Call Us (866) GO-SEE-SAM
Call Us (866) GO-SEE-SAM
Nov 8, 2024
Colleen Jo Matarico, a Los Angeles schoolteacher, has been arrested for sexual assault of a 13-year-old student. This case, one of many in recent years involving local teachers committing sex acts with students, highlights the urgent need to address and prevent sexual abuse in schools, protecting children from predators who exploit their positions of trust.
Colleen Jo Matarico, a 43-year-old teacher from Valley Village, Los Angeles, was arrested on November 7th in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old student from her class.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has released information about this troubling case, which is alleged to include grooming and sexual intercourse with the 13-year-old student in Matarico’s car.
The sex crimes charges against Matarico are severe and multifaceted, including:
These charges paint a disturbing picture of a teacher who allegedly abused her position of authority to exploit and harm a vulnerable student.
According to the LAPD, Matarico is accused of grooming and sexually assaulting the 13-year-old victim in her classroom. Investigators claim that Matarico eventually convinced the victim to have sexual intercourse in her vehicle, escalating the severity of her alleged crimes.
This case of classroom sexual assault is an important reminder of the potential dangers that can exist even in environments we consider safe for children. It underscores the importance of vigilance and open communication between parents, students, teachers, and school administrators.
The LAPD believes there may be additional, unidentified victims who were sexually abused by Colleen Jo Matarico but have yet to come forward. Law enforcement have taken the step of releasing Matarico’s photograph to aid in identifying any other potential victims.
This situation highlights the critical need for reporting systems to identify sexual predators in education before they can harm students. Schools must implement comprehensive background checks, ongoing monitoring, and clear reporting systems to protect students from potential abusers.
Grooming is a manipulative process used by sexual predators to gain trust, break down defenses, and ultimately exploit their victims. In educational settings, this can involve a teacher giving special attention to a student, offering gifts, or creating situations where they can be alone together.
In Colleen Jo Matarico’s case, the alleged grooming took place within the classroom, a place where students should feel safe and protected. This breach of trust can have long-lasting psychological effects on victims.
Some warning signs of teacher-student sexual misconduct may include:
It’s critical for students, parents, and school staff to know how to report suspected sexual abuse.
If you believe a child is being sexually abused, take the following steps:
Remember, reporting suspicions of abuse is not only ethical but often legally required. It’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to protecting children.
The charges against Matarico are severe and carry significant legal consequences. If convicted, she could face substantial prison time and permanent registration as a sex offender. Her teaching career would be over, and she would be barred from working with children in the future.
Currently, Matarico is in custody with bail set at $1.3 million, reflecting the gravity of the charges against her. The high bail amount also serves to protect the community and potential victims while the legal process unfolds.
Preventing sexual abuse in schools often requires a multi-faceted approach:
By taking these steps, schools can create a safer environment for students and reduce the risk of sexual misconduct.
The arrest of Colleen Jo Matarico serves as an important reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance in protecting children. It’s a call to action for increased awareness, better reporting mechanisms, and more robust prevention strategies in California schools.
Parents of potential teacher sexual abuse victims may wish to pursue civil lawsuits in an effort to secure justice and financial compensation. Damages that may be recovered in teacher sexual abuse claims include:
Dordulian Law Group is a Los Angeles-area child sexual abuse firm specializing in teacher abuse claims. Our compassionate and dedicated child sexual abuse attorneys are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have about the legal process.
D Law Group offers a unique type of legal representation which includes a four-division group of professionals known as the SAJE Team (Sexual Abuse Justice Experts).
D Law Group clients have 24/7 access to the full SAJE Team support network:
D Law Group’s Los Angeles teacher sexual abuse lawyers recently secured a $2 million child sex abuse settlement for a client as well as a $1 million settlement for a school sexual abuse survivor.
These are just some of countless examples of past cases where survivors of childhood sexual abuse have obtained justice with D Law Group’s elite attorneys.
Some additional D Law Group sex crimes case results include:
For a free and confidential consultation regarding your teacher sexual abuse case, contact a member of DLG’s SAJE Team today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM.
Our teacher sexual abuse attorneys have an unparalleled track record:
At D Law Group, our Los Angeles teacher sexual abuse lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is never any upfront cost to you. You don’t pay anything until after we’ve won your case and secured a maximum damages award on your behalf. There is no financial risk or upfront expense to your family when you choose D Law Group to fight for justice in your child’s sexual abuse case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay; it’s that simple.
Contact us today to set up a free and confidential consultation with a member of DLG’s SAJE Team.
If you suspect sexual abuse, report your concerns immediately to school administration and local law enforcement. Document any suspicious behavior you've observed and provide as much detail as possible to the authorities.
Have open, age-appropriate conversations about body safety, appropriate touching, and the importance of telling a trusted adult if someone makes them feel uncomfortable. Emphasize that it's never the child's fault if an adult behaves inappropriately.
Signs can include sudden changes in behavior, withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed, unexplained injuries, fear of certain people or places, and age-inappropriate sexual knowledge or behavior. However, the presence of these signs doesn't necessarily indicate abuse, and their absence doesn't rule it out.
Schools should conduct thorough background checks on teachers and administrators, including criminal records and employment history. They should also check references carefully, ask behavior-based interview questions, and implement probationary periods for new hires with close supervision.
Resources include school counseling services, local rape crisis centers, child advocacy centers, and national hotlines like the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673). These services can provide support, counseling, and guidance through the healing and legal processes.
Contact our top-rated team of expert sexual abuse attorneys online or by phone today to pursue justice and secure a financial award for damages.
Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
Do you have a case? Let's find out.
