Urge Dawson School to Adopt National Best Practices for Sexual Assault and Misconduct

The Dawson Parent Task Force* is a group of concerned Dawson parents, alums, and former faculty that was established in June 2021 to examine how to make Dawson a safer environment for its students and faculty. Initially our efforts were simply directed at educating ourselves about the nature and prevalence of sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct at Dawson.

After speaking extensively with many members of the Dawson Community over the last 5 months, it has become clear that Dawson has for many years systematically failed to implement the best practices outlined by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Using the Prevention and Response framework outlined by the NAIS and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) as well as the perspective of a nationally-recognized expert (Michelle Petersen), the Task Force has written recommendations to improve Dawson's policy and practices pertaining to sexual misconduct. These recommendations include improving hiring practices, enhancing faculty training and student education, establishing transparent communication with the Dawson community, and effectively supporting survivors of sexual misconduct. Please find links to these documents below.

Our intention has always been (and remains to this day) to work directly with the Dawson Board to collaborate and to meaningfully change Dawson’s sexual assault, harrassment, and misconduct policies. For several months, we have in good faith attempted to collaborate with both George Moore and the Dawson Board, but our many attempts have been ignored or denied. Furthermore, the Dawson Board has communicated no intention to implement meaningful change.

Now, it rests solely on Dawson parents and the greater community to lead the effort for change to keep our children safe.