When John was in the 4th grade, he had a male teacher who, over the period of several months, had very carefully become more than just a friendly teacher, and had persuaded John to play "touching" games with him. Later, as an out-of-control teenager, John realized, through counseling, that he had been sexually molested. As an adult, John had become a teacher, partially out of a sense of obligation to protech young boys from sexual predators. John has been an elementary school teacher for three years now.
John is very concerned because Allen, a new teacher transferred from another school, seems especially friendly with some of the boys in his class. The problem is that it is socially acceptable for a man to play-wrestle with the boys, pat them on the back, ruffle their hair, give them a reassuring hug, etc. All of these actions can be an innocent and important way of communicating support and confidence to the young boys from their male teacher. However, it would not be appropriate to have a male teacher do these same things to the girls in his classroom, and Allen has not done that.
To a homosexual predator, these seemingly innocent and acceptable male bonding actions are exactly what would be preludes to sexual molestation. There is no way for John to really know which motives are driving Allen, but he recognizes some of the touching games he was coerced into playing as a child. He is angered by the lingering hands and continued touching he observes.
Questions:
What should John do?
Is he being super sensitive?
Why did Allen transfer from another school?
Should John questions the boys?
Should John approach Allen and give him a warning?
What are the legal ramifications of this situation?