The Costly Consequences of Past Negligence: School Sex Abuse Case from the ’70s Could Price State $330K
The repercussions of abuse often echo through the years, impacting not just the victims but entire communities. The state of Hawaii is now preparing to pay a painful $330,000 for its failure to protect students from a security officer who exploited his position of trust in the 1970s. This case, which has surfaced nearly five decades later, highlights the ongoing struggle for accountability in the realm of school safety.
A Dark Chapter in Pearl City History
Highlands Intermediate School in Pearl City was once a place of learning and growth, but behind this facade lurked a predator. Joseph Moisa, the security officer at Highlands from 1974 to 1977, harnessed his authority to manipulate and abuse young boys during camping trips and in private meetings. Shockingly, school administrators were aware of the abuse for at least a year before finally terminating his employment, according to claims made in a lawsuit filed by three former students.
Multiple Settlements and Ongoing Claims
In a landmark decision, the state has reached a settlement of $330,000 with two of the victims who bravely accused the school of neglecting their safety. A third plaintiff chose to dismiss his claims before this settlement progressed. This latest payout follows earlier settlements totaling $900,000 for two other former students who also endured abuse at Moisa’s hands.
These figures are not trivial—a total of $7.8 million may be required this year to address various claims against state agencies, including those tied to the Hawaii Department of Education.
A Flawed System of Oversight
The chilling reality is that while Moisa was at Highlands, multiple complaints went uninvestigated. In one instance, a student reported that Moisa performed oral sex on him during a school camping trip in 1976, yet school officials chose to ignore these allegations.
Randall Rosenberg, the attorney representing the former students, stated, "They have to discipline this guy. They can’t just sit there and turn a blind eye to it, which is what they did." Astonishingly, there are no records from the 1970s to indicate whether Moisa underwent any background checks or if his employment was properly documented.
The Aftermath of Abuse
Following his departure from Highlands, Moisa continued his pattern of predatory behavior. He relocated out of state and was later convicted as a sex offender in California, facing charges related to child molestation in 2010. He passed away in 2014, but the scars he left on his victims remain.
Moving Toward Accountability
Recent legislative measures instituted in 2012 have enabled survivors like the plaintiffs in this case to pursue justice by temporarily lifting the statutes of limitations on sexual abuse claims. This shift reflects a broader recognition of the need for accountability for historical injustices.
When addressing the settlement with the former students, Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez noted, "It is better for the state to avoid a trial and risk a greater payout." Unfortunately, this sentiment sheds light on a more profound issue—the state’s struggle to adequately protect its children and ensure their safety in educational environments.
The Path Forward: Lessons Unlearned?
As Hawaii treads carefully through this complicated issue, advocates and victims alike call for more robust safeguards within public school systems. The haunting reality remains that many other potential victims have not come forward, primarily due to legal barriers that have since been lifted.
Rosenberg suggests, "One thing that we’ve learned about these sexual predators, they rarely do it only one time. We know that if you have one victim, there’s more out there." This truth underscores the essential need for vigilance within educational institutions, better policies for reporting incidents, and thorough investigations into claims.
In conclusion, as the state prepares to distribute settlements totaling millions, it must absorb the lessons drawn from these painful events to foster a safer environment for students in the future. Justice for the past must not come at the expense of today’s children.
For further reading, explore Hawaii News Now for more updates on sexual abuse cases and legislative changes in Hawaii’s educational system.
