High school sports have long been a part of the fabric of American culture, but a recent case in Oklahoma may cast a dark shadow on the athletics community. Jennifer Hawkins, 45, was a part-time cheerleading coach with the Moore Public School District until her arrest on suspicion of second-degree rape and sexual battery. According to a probable cause affidavit, Hawkins allegedly forced a sophomore student to have sex with her several times a week for five years while they were both employed by the school district.
The victim, who was a sophomore when the relationship began in 2017 and has since graduated, sent a letter to school officials from a rehab center in California detailing the allegations against Hawkins. When approached by police, Hawkins initially denied the accusations, but then admitted to having a sexual relationship with the student. According to the affidavit, she could not recall how many times they had sex, indicating it was numerous.
The victim told police that he and Hawkins had sex over 300 times at her house, including during lunch. The two initially met when the victim briefly dated Hawkins’ daughter.
In addition to the physical abuse, the victim alleged that Hawkins was psychologically manipulative and controlling. She would become angry if he looked at other women on social media, according to the affidavit.
The Moore Public Schools released a statement after Hawkins was arrested, saying that “the safety and security of Moore Public Schools’ students and employees is our foremost concern.”
The case of Jennifer Hawkins serves as a stark warning to all school districts to be vigilant against any signs of inappropriate relationships between staff and students. Schools must create an environment where students are comfortable coming forward to report any suspicious activity. Additionally, districts should consider implementing a policy that prohibits any romantic relationships between staff and students, no matter how long ago the relationship began.
Ultimately, it is up to school districts to make sure that their students are safe from any form of abuse. The case of Jennifer Hawkins highlights the need for comprehensive measures to protect students from any kind of exploitation.
