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<>These are Excerpts of "The Savage Within, A True Story of Rape Within Montgomery County, Maryland..."A NIGHTMARE FROM HELL IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND!"<>

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED!






EMAIL KAREN



Karen Gambini had everything going for her until she met a man who could not accept "NO" as an answer! She could never have imagined having her breast grabbed and repeatedly being told that "I want to f--- your brains out!"

--a concerned friend--

Never in her wildest dreams did Karen Gambini believe that she would become a sexual assault victim within the sanctity of her classroom.

--Victor Samuels --

The compelling story of a schoolteacher faced with the dilemma of whether to tell or not to tell captures the compassion of everyone who reads this true excerpt from the forthcoming novel Nightmare From Hell. Written in first person, this story quickly compels the reader to read on and on.

--Reverend Jones--



Nightmare From Hell

Introduction













Today society expresses much concern about the safety of individuals in the workplace, about the moral decay within the population, and about racism and relations among the various races. The President of the United States was embroiled in a scandal involving Monica Lewinsky who accused him with a sexual affair for which he promptly stated, "I did not have sex with that woman!" Of course, he did lie! He did have sex "with that woman!" The Republicans decried the actions of the President! Many of the Democrats believed that what the President had done was perfectly all right and passed it off with "Oh, well, boys will be boys!" We must question the message sent to the men in our society.

But what about women who have become sexual harassment targets of men who cannot take "no" for an answer. What about the destruction and devastation caused to the lives of these women who must work and provide for themselves. What happens when these harassed women stand up and report the criminal actions of the defiant men to their employers? Just as the public had a right to know of the despicable antics of the President of the United States, the public has a right to know of the heinous actions of some of the employed men in the public school system. The actions of these men determine whether your child or any child or anyone is safe in a place that has been traditionally thought of as being safe.

I challenge you to read the story of the following teacher in one of the school systems in the Metropolitan Area. The names have been changed; however, the descriptions are accurate. Have we really advanced since the writings of Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850 in The Scarlet Letter where Hester Prynne hoped to be the one to further the cause of women's rights? One hundred forty-nine years later, almost 150 years, I must conclude that it is still a man's world! In reality, I question whether it is a black man's world. Are we, the women in the nation, afraid to stand up for our beliefs? Are we afraid to stand up to our convictions? If we do report criminal actions, what is the price we pay as a white woman reporting a black man? I have paid and am paying the horrible price!

Subject: School Teacher (Sexual Harassment) Help Needed

Date: Sun, 19 Jan 1997 21:01:43-0500 (EST)

Wrom: YCGPKYLEJGDGVCJVTLBXFGGMEPYOQK

Organization: EDTas Anon Mail Service

Newsgroups: dc.general

On January 19, 1997, a post to a general news group appeared on the Internet Anon Mail Service. The following represents the content of the Original Post. The posting contains some errors, but has not been corrected.

I am posting this message on behalf of a school teacher who teaches at a high school in the Washington area. She has encountered a very terrible problem concerning sexual harassment (on the job) and I told her I would ask for advice, and print all of the responses for her. She doesn't know what to do -- please read and help.

Let's call her Karen. Karen has taught for many years and is in her 50's. She is divorced and has taught at the same school for about ten years.

Recently, Karen has been harassed by one of the school security guards, who patrols the hallways during school hours. Many months ago, the security guard (let's call him David) began making suggestive (sexual) comments to Karen and she always replied, "I am not interested."

This situation has worsened in the past month. One day recently, when schools were closed due to the snow, David called Karen at 6:30am and said, "My wife is working today and since we are off, you can come over to my house and we can have sex." Karen replied, once again, "I don't think that's a good idea. I am not interested."

Just two weeks ago, David began parking his own vehicle in Karen's parking space and when she asked him why, he said he would continue to park there until "he gets what he wants." This is just another form of intimidation.

Last June, David told Karen he was had a surprise for her. When she asked what is was, he informed Karen he just had a penile implant installed because he was having problems getting aroused.

Karen is now showing moderate to severe signs of stress and anxiety. She has problems sleeping, concentrating, and is "on guard" while at work, hoping he doesn't come by her classroom to harass her again.

Karen is very confused about how to handle the situation. If she reports this matter to the school principal, without evidence, she fears David will deny the episodes and she will experience retaliation from David, and the principal. She also fears violent retaliation from David if she sends him a certified letter (in the mail) asking him to stop any further harassment or intimidations of her. Karen is convinced that David is obsessed with her and would vandalize her vehicle, or even worse.

I told her to seek psychiatric assistance, since she is exhibiting signs of stress and anxiety. She is reluctant to do so.

While I know all of this sounds strange, I can assure you it is all true and I have offered to help her seek advice from anyone who feels they could assist. Any advice would be appreciated. You may post your suggestions to the groups, or reply via email. All replies will be forwarded.

Thanking you in advance, for any advice or suggestions, you may offer.



PART I













I am Karen, the teacher referred to in the Post on the Internet. I have taught in one of the most prestigious school districts on this side of the Potomac adjacent to the river in the Washington Area for many, many years. However, I did not ask the writer for help. I consulted an administrator at another school who advised me to "Go tell your principal immediately." I stupidly went to my principal and gave a verbal report and subsequently a written report. The following represents my story.

Several years ago during the second semester of the school year, David arrived at school to resume his security guard position. The first six months David's conduct was very professional. He made no inappropriate comments, at least not to me. At the end of the year David told me that he was not certain that he would be returning in the fall because he had "been informed that I am too friendly!"

Then when the fall session began with David at the school, David announced to me that he had "undressed you a million times in my mind. I would like to see if the real thing is as good as the fantasy!" David's comments were made in front of a fellow security guard who had been on a police force with him in another jurisdiction.

I promptly notified David that his comments "might be considered by some as sexual harassment!"

He replied, "Oh, you would never report me!"

I snapped in reply, "You don't know! I might! You had better be careful!"

In the days that followed David put repeated pressure upon me to go down to another staff lounge in the back and bottom of the school "because it is private! Hardly anyone goes to that lounge. We cannot do anything up here. There is too much traffic! We cannot even talk."

"I never go to that part of the school because I would have an asthma attack from the walk," I quipped. Developing severe asthma as a result of the poor air/bad air quality after transferring to the school several years prior to this time, I exercised extreme caution in undertaking various strenuous exercises. Walking too fast and too far could trigger an asthma attack.

When I refused to go to a secluded spot with David, David pleaded with me to meet him off campus for a drink. Again, I refused David's request. Then David demanded that I meet him at a hotel. He asked me to take a day off from school. "I'll pay for the hotel room, or you can pay for the hotel room. You give me the number, and I'll meet you there! I will reimburse you for the money!" David urged.

"I cannot do that! I do not take days off from school. Besides I am not interested. NO! I cannot do that!" I vehemently asserted.

In a very strong voice, David bellowed, "Yes! You can!"

On rainy days David commanded that he and I "skip school, go to the motel room, and make love all day long!" I repeatedly told David that I was not interested in having sex with him or with anyone else. "I am a one man woman!" I adamantly told him.

It seemed that David took extreme measures to make sure that he walked by my classroom in order to say something to me particularly if it were raining outside. I always greeted my students at the entrance to the room so that I became an accessible and vulnerable target for David's comments. As I waited for my students on these days, David would say, "Karen, it is raining outside. Do you know what I want to do? I want to take off with you, go to a hotel and fuck your brains out!"

I replied disgustedly, "Yes, David, you have told me. But I cannot do that! I will not do that! I am not interested!" Luckily, the bell would ring for the beginning of class, and I could escape David for the moment!

One evening after school David and his security guard friend were standing in the main entrance hallway outside the main office of the school. David made a comment about how he had "been trying to get Karen into bed with me, but I have not been able to do so!"

David's security guard friend shook his head and announced. "David, you will never change!"

I managed to brush off the comments of this man with the thought that he was just a dirty old man who could not take "no" for an answer. My words of "No! No! I am not interested! No! No! I won't!" just did not seem to get through to him. David did not interest me in the least! He was not in the least appealing to me! Besides he was married and had children! I confided to a teacher friend that David and I could be marooned on a deserted island, and I would not have sex with him. I simply was not interested in having sex with David.

During homecoming week David called me at home. He said that he had to talk with me because he had a question about school. That evening I was not at home and did not talk with David. The next day at school David scolded me for not being available to talk with him. I asked David what was so important that he had to talk with me. David persuaded, "I wanted you to give me a definite date of when you could take off!"

I again verbalized to David that I had repeatedly notified him that "I will not do that!" I was not about to have sex with anyone that I did not want to! I absolutely did not want to have sex with David. David was in his fifties, tall, and very slender. David had a prune face. He was married and the father of two children. Personally, I did not find David appealing.

Being divorced and extremely busy with teaching and working all the time including during the evening hours at night school, I encountered a student who threatened to kill me. I could not believe that the student had made the threat. The next day when I told David about the student, David said that the student could have been related to a family by that last name in his jurisdiction as a police officer. David told me, "Reestablish yourself! Do not show fear! Tell the students you are in charge!" David reminded me that "if one shows a dog fear, the dog will bite!"

During the next day of night school, I instructed the students that I was in charge of the classroom and the activities. I reestablished my control of these students who had not been successful in the day school program.

One night this student who had threatened me previously entered the classroom and made a comment about "killing anyone who gets in my face!" I was not sure that I had heard him correctly. Walking to the desk beside him, I pulled my jacket about me and left my fingers on the lapel. Taking a step closer to the desk, I inquired, "What did you say?"

This student did not repeat his comment! "I am having a bad day," he mumbled.

During the break between the two classes, this student got into a fight outside. Three or four adults were needed to restrain him. The student was arrested and thrown out of school. During the break I always stayed in the classroom. I straightened the room for the second period class. During this time I found an empty liquor bottle beneath this student's desk. For some reason this student had drunk a pint of liquor. The student really was a nice young man at times. He just could not seem to rise above his problems. He had dreams of being a success and going to college. However, those dreams would have to be put aside for awhile.

I believed that I was lucky! David's words of wisdom had worked! "Never show a dog that you are frightened, or he will bite you!"

After David's tactics had worked, I requested that he come to talk with my students at night school. "Your experiences as a police officer have given you knowledge that could help some of these students. Plus, having a speaker would provide a different activity for my speech class."

"I cannot do that!" David replied.

"Why not? I believe you would do an excellent job!" I coaxed.

"I cannot do that because they might recognize me!" David replied.

I did not understand the meaning of his comments or what difference it would make if the students recognized him; however, I did not push the issue with him!

PART II

One day when David stopped by my room, he cautioned me that he liked white women. He said he had been married three or four times. He recounted stories of what he had done to women who had wronged him in some way. David stated that one of the women had been cheating on him while he was at work. He said he had evicted this lady by throwing her belongings on the street. In another situation David said he had at one time gone to work, camouflaged himself by changing his clothes from his uniform in an Exxon station bathroom, ridden his bicycle across town, vandalized the woman's car, beat her up, and left her for dead! He retraced his steps and changed back into the uniform in the service station. He boasted that no one knew he had even taken the time off work to do this hideous deed.

I believe that David was warning me that no one had better ever do him any wrong because he would not tolerate it! David briefed me, "If someone really wanted to get rid of another person, all he would have to do is invite the person out to dinner or for a drink and slip a pill into the drink. The person would have a heart attack later, and there is no evidence. Or the person would have a stroke."

Later, David gave me an orange. I was afraid to eat it! I left it in my corner cabinet for quite some time. He gave me a canned drink! I was afraid of this drink and refused to drink it! I threw these items out! When I was a child, my mother had warned me about accepting candy from a stranger! I was heeding my mother's warnings.

To this point, I had managed to keep David at a distance. I was not about to have anything to do with this man! I was completely in control of my actions! It was going to remain that way. One day I went into the ladies' bathroom lobby in the staff lounge and noticed another teacher crying. I asked her whether she was all right. She left the lobby area without replying, but nodded that she was. Then for some reason she was not at school. I do not remember seeing her again. I later learned that she had transferred!

During the spring months, David communicated that he was "going to do something for us!" I could not imagine what he could "do for us!" David explained, "You know when you get older, what used to stick out straight now rises at an angle! (He used his finger to explain!) I am going to have a penile implant! When I have sex with you, I want to be able to fuck your brains out!"

I challenged David, "That is dangerous. I just saw an ad in the paper that listed all the problems of the penile implant. And if you are doing it to have sex with me, don't, because I am not going to have sex with you. I am not interested in having sex with you or with anyone."

In mid-spring my immediate supervisor entered my classroom and inquired whether David was harassing me. I replied, "It is nothing that I cannot handle! NO means NO!" I would discover later why she was asking me. She knew what was going on! I did not know!

David seemingly spent a lot of time with the maintenance staff. One day he came by the room and stated that Barton had commented, "You may as well take a cot down there with you!"

In reply to his scenario, I asked David, "What are you doing? Are you telling them that you have been having sex with me?"

"Oh, well, let them think what they want to!" David replied. "Roman told me that I 'could go ahead and have you!'"

"I cannot believe you! I am not someone's property that I can be claimed or given away! I belong to no one other than to myself!" I retorted.

"Oh! Well, there is no harm done!" David stated.

I instructed David, "I cannot believe that you are allowing these people to believe such lies!" David kept me knowledgeable about the news in the school. According to David, some of the female teachers were asking the maintenance crew members to have sex with them "because they had not had sex in two years!" I found David's comments difficult, if not impossible, to believe.

The school year ended! I was glad to get away from David and his comments. But I did not know what lay ahead for me in the upcoming school year. I probably would have run as fast as I could and as far as I could had I known the future events. But then hind sight is always better than foresight!

During the summer, David called me at home and said, "Karen, this is David. David Elder - from school. I've got a big surprise for you. I just had a penile implant, and I am going to fuck your brains out." I again reiterated to David that I was not going to have sex with him, and I was not interested in having sex with anyone!

PART III

When the fall session began, David blabbed to me that he was having his "penile implant redone because I am having a problem with it. It is leaking probably because of a pin hole in it. The doctor told me that I could leave it alone, but I want it redone because I feel as if there is an empty space there!" David took a long weekend and went into the hospital for his corrective surgery.

David repeatedly communicated to me that his wife did not give him "enough attention" and that he was "not getting enough sex! I am lucky if I get it twice a month. Do you know why I want to have sex with you? I know that you are clean. You will not give me any diseases! And you do no have to worry about me giving you a disease because I have myself examined every year!"

Again I repeated to David, "I am not interested in having sex with you or with anyone else!" It seemed that this man just could not get the fact through his head that I had absolutely no intentions of having sex with him! He did not appeal to me!

David frequently rubbed his fingers together telling me that "he will sue you!" I replied, "Why would anyone want to sue me because I have no money!

"Yes, you do! I would sue you! You are worth gold!" David muttered.

"Well, it is very difficult to get water from a stone!" I quipped.

"Oh, but you are gold!" David repeated rubbing his fingers together.

Approximately three years ago during the first two weeks of school at one of the grade assemblies held each year to review the Discipline Policies and Procedures, one of the young girls yelled out as David was introduced. "Oh, so that is your name!" After the assembly, the young girl confronted David and accused him of being the individual who "sat in my mother's kitchen every Saturday morning trying to get her to go to bed with you!"

David advised me that he was "going to sue the girl's family for slander." David allegedly went to the principal to report the girl's accusation. The next period David showed the girl's schedule to me and inquired whether the girl was in one of my classes. I did not have the student. I did not ask what had happened in this situation.

When I later learned of the seriousness of David's problem with women, I went into the Student Information to find the girl's schedule. The student was no longer registered at the school. She obviously had been transferred to another school. Later, the principal of the school told me that the girl had lied because they had spoken to her mother. (I had used this incident with the Superintendent to show that the "powers that be" knew of David's problem of sexual harassment. I must wonder when the girl's mother was spoken to.) At the end of the school year in June, I found a copy of the student's schedule in my cabinet among the papers. I have absolutely no idea how the information got there.

I thoroughly enjoyed my classes. I loved teaching! Teaching was my life! It was my identity! I had excellent rapport with the students. On or about the time of interims in the fall of the same year as the student who accused David of soliciting sex from her mother, a B-A student appeared at my classroom door where I always stood to greet my students as they arrived.

This really pretty Caucasian student walked up to me. She was shaking and looked ashen. She begged, "I cannot come to class today! I just have to go see my counselor!"

When I reminded her that the information being presented was important for her to have, she started crying. She cried, "I was just raped!"

I threw my right hand to my forehead and exclaimed, "Oh, my God!" I requested that the student go to the school nurse.

With a trembling voice she replied, "I cannot go to the nurse!"

Then I requested that she go to talk with David, the security guard, because he was an ex-police officer and would know what to do! The student replied, "I cannot go to talk with him because he knows who did it!"

Because the two individuals suggested for the student to see were black, I inquired, "Was he black?"

The reply of the student was, "Yes!" The student told me that she did not want her parents to find out what had happened because they would be furious! She said that she had been doing something that she should not have been doing. I did not inquire what the wrong act was. I gave the student a note to the nurse!

Within the hour David came by the classroom. I informed him that I had suggested that the student who said she had been raped come to talk with him "because he knows who did it!" David said, "She told you that!" I told him that she did. Then David asked me whether she had said anything else. I notified David that I had given her a note to the nurse and asked David to check on the situation for me. I believed that I had done my duty. I had sent her to the nurse, and I had reported the rape to security.

Later this student told me that she had gone to the counselor! She said, "They are going to get help for me!" I never heard anymore about the rape! I do not know whether the police were called or not! Generally, the principal would have alerted the faculty and staff to such an act; however, I doubt that anyone was ever informed. It seemed that many things were being covered up and not being reported at this school. Subsequently, this student's progress in school decreased terribly. Within the next four weeks, she dropped to a D. She began skipping classes. When she should have been a junior, she was still floundering in tenth grade. Obviously, this female student was experiencing great trauma as result of the sexual assault.

During the fall months, David called my house frequently; however, because my family members knew that David was harassing me, the telephone was not answered. We made sure that we checked the Caller ID Unit. If David's number showed, the call was not taken. If a member of the household happened to pick up the telephone, I was not at home, not available, in the bathroom, shopping, or what have you. On one occasion a family member had overheard David tell me that "I get tired of you changing the subject. You want to talk about school, and I want to talk about sex!"

During the school hours David frequently entered my classroom while the different classes were in session. He would bend down to me and demand in a gruff voice as he leaned close to my ear, "I WANT YOUR BODY! I WANT SEX!" I would invariably look at my students to see whether they had overheard!

One day one of the girls in the front looked at me and inquired, "Did he say to you what I thought he said?" I did not reply to the student, but ignored her question. I did not know how to answer her question without inquiring what she had heard! Thus, I decided to ignore it because I was extremely uncomfortable. I began to be startled every time the classroom door opened. I prayed that David would not enter. I hated those demands for sex, but I did not know how to stop them! My verbalizations of "NO! NO! NO!" went unheeded.

During seventh period, one of the young male students, Leroy Wright, commented when David entered the classroom and then left, "Ms Gambini, you would really be angry if you knew what he is saying about you! I do not think you would like it!"

At home one evening, a family member and I were on our way out the front door when the telephone rang. I unthinkingly picked up the receiver. It was David. He wanted me to come to his house to see the basement he was finishing. I informed him that I could not come unless a family member came with me. David yelled, "I told you that I do not want to have anything to do with your son! I just want to fuck his mama!"

David repeated this statement when I held the receiver out so that my son could hear and asked, "What did you say, David?"

David repeated, "I told you that I do not want to have anything to do with your son. I just want to fuck his mama!"

As I hung up the receiver, I informed David, "I told you I am not interested! My son and I were just going out! I have to go!"

David's daily demands for sex, "I want your body! I want sex!" were becoming almost unbearable! I could not sleep! I tossed and turned. I had horrible nightmares of David chasing me, and I could not escape. I would awake with pounding heart and tears flowing down my cheeks just as he was about to catch me. My heart began to beat irregularly and missed beats. At its worst my heart beat four times and then skipped a beat, beat four, and then skipped. I had difficulty concentrating. Because of the lack of sleep, I was tired all the time.

Then the time for the General Election was approaching. Prior to November 5th, David informed me that he fully expected me to call him on Election Day so that "we can have sex. Plan to stay the whole day with me!" David demanded.

I again explained to David, "I told you that I cannot do that! I will not do that! I have things to do!"

David bellowed, "I AM TIRED OF YOUR EXCUSES! STOP MAKING EXCUSES. YOU CAN TAKE DAYS OFF. LOOK, KAREN, I WILL EVEN PAY YOU A MONTHLY FEE TO HAVE SEX WITH ME! YES, I WILL EVEN PAY YOU FOR IT. I WILL MAKE IT WORTH YOUR WHILE!"

I just could not seem to get through to this man. I was not interested in him! I had never seen such a belligerent, defiant person in my life. During my growing up days, a man asked a woman three times. If he were rejected three times, he did not continue the chase. He moved on to someone else! I remembered the numerous local incidents by women charging dignitaries with sexual harassment including Anita Hill. I was reluctant to follow in the footsteps of women who had reported sexual harassment! I was in quite a dilemma because I did not know what to do! Although we had approximately ten years previously had a teacher's workshop on sexual harassment, no one educated us as to what to do! No one told us how to stop it! No one told us how to stop the harassment when the perpetrator would not accept "NO"!

At the end of Election Day on November 5th, I received a telephone call that my mother was in the hospital and critically ill. I took the next three days off from school to be with my mother. We did not know whether she would live or not! When I returned to school the next week, David scolded me for not calling him on Election Day. "I am tired of your excuses! I want you to give me a day when you and I can make love all day. I will even pay you monthly for sex! I will make it worth your while!"

Again, I reminded David, "I cannot do that! I will not do that! I am not interested in doing that!"

One day David entered my classroom while class was in session. He showed

me a letter that his attorney had written. It was a Letter of Demand for $65,000.00 to a doctor or a company for the defective penile implant. The letter mentioned some type of impotency. I really wished at that moment that I had access to a Xerox machine so that I could have copied the letter. David left the letter with me for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Because I believed reading the letter was an invasion of privacy, I was reluctant to do so. The first time that David entered and asked me whether I had read it I replied that I had not. David insisted that I read the letter. I finally read the letter. Then he came into the classroom again to get the letter. David offered, "If you want an attorney who is thorough, go see this one! Here, I will give you his card!" David signed his name on the attorney's card and gave it to me.

A day or so after I returned to school after being with my mother, David demanded, "Now I want you to write down on a slip of paper the date when I can meet you to have sex!" Of course, I never wrote any such date for David. David just would not accept "no" for an answer. Later, David stopped in front of my classroom door where I stood waiting for the next period to begin. David demanded, "Did you write that date on a paper for me?"

"What date?" I questioned.

"The date when I can meet you to have sex!" David answered.

I replied, "No! I did not!"

Motioning towards the back of the school, David stated, "Then if you will not give me sex, I will go down there and get sex!"

I retorted, "Go ahead and get your sex down there!"

David complained, "I have never worked so hard for a piece of ass in my life, and I still do not have a piece of ass from you!"

I adamantly instructed him, "If you can get sex down there, more power to you! Go ahead!"

David demanded, "You will not meet me at a hotel. Then come to my house. When my wife leaves for work, you can come. I will put the garage door up; you can drive your car into the garage. We will fuck all day long. After I fuck your brains out, we will take a shower and get dressed. Then you can leave, and no one will be the wiser!"

I exclaimed, "I cannot do that! My God, David, you are married. I will not do that! I am not interested in doing any such thing! No!"

It seemed as if David were demanding more and more. David entered my classroom when class was in session, bent down to me and said, "I WANT SEX!" I could not believe that the students did not hear him! They had to have heard!

I decided to ignore David and stop responding to any comments he made; however, when I totally avoided his statements, one of the black students standing with me outside my classroom said, "Why aren't you talking to Mr. Elder, Ms Gambini? Do you think you are too good to speak to him?" It seemed that I just could not win!

Again one day David stopped at my classroom door and stated, "If you do not give me sex, I am going down there and get it!"

I replied to him, "Go ahead down there!" David's mind always seemed to be on sex. His visits to my classroom while class was in session became more frequent. He bent down and gruffly demanded, "I WANT SEX!" Or depending upon the class, David would demand, "I WANT YOUR BODY! I WANT SEX!"

It seemed that I could not escape! In the evenings after school I gathered up my things so that I could leave early and avoid David. I did not want to see him! I did not want to hear his demands for sex! Wanting to give the appearance that I had already gone, I turned the lights out and kept my door locked. I tiptoed around the room so as not to be heard or seen! What clearer picture could anyone have that I was not interested in him. Invariably if I happened to stay a moment too long, David would use his key and enter the room. I quickly hurried out!

I helped a number of students after school. One evening a student was in the room when David entered. This student started to leave without receiving help. I requested that the student remain for the help that he needed. The student stayed! David left!

Because I had assigned a notebook of student writings including creative writings, I worked with a student in the computer lab. The student was very bright, but needed the presence of someone to encourage him. I gave him an idea; he changed the subject and produced a wonderful portfolio of writings. He was so very proud of his completed product. He worked very slowly and meticulously. But he was extremely intelligent. One evening the student's mother came to pick him up. I explained to her how pleased I was with her son's progress and work! I requested that she read the poetry, the essays, and the short stories that her son had written! David frequently placed his head in the door while we were in the computer lab! One of the composition assistants was always next door in the assistants' office.

In mid-December, David entered my classroom with his key. I was sitting at my desk and bending over the file drawer on the right side of the desk. Preoccupied while looking for a copy of an assignment in the file, I was totally oblivious to the fact that anyone had entered my room. Then David placed his hand under my arm and grabbed my left breast in his hand. Startled, I pulled away, leaned far to the right, and demanded, "Please stop that!"

David proclaimed, "It felt good! Just like mashed potatoes!"

I was really happy when the Christmas vacation arrived, and I did not have to deal with David's daily demands for sex! I was really irritated with his tactics, but I did not know what to do about it! I did not know how to stop him! I had never encountered anyone who would not take "no" for an answer. He just kept coming and coming! His demands had gotten worse since his penile implant. In order to cope with the harassment, I began to write stories and poetry with the students. When I could no longer write, I began to illustrate my writings! And when I could no longer draw, I began to color with coloring pencils. Then after the next episodes of the New Year, I could no longer color! The tactics of this man were totally destroying me! I had always been able to put everything, regardless of what it might be, behind me! I just was not doing a good job with this situation at all!

David complained to me, "I cannot believe that you have been so strong as to not give in to my demands for sex!"

I explained, "I am always in control of my actions! I do not do what I do not want to do. I do not want to have sex with you!"

One of the office staff members walked down the hallway past my classroom. David walked up to me and remarked, "Karen, you see that there? See the lady with the short hair and the short skirt? Well, she does not attract me! I like you with your longer skirts!"

"But, David, she is an awfully sharp looking lady!" I stated. "Just look at her!"

"Well, I like you!" David replied.

The bell for the beginning of class rang, and the statements were dropped as this lady with the piece of paper in her hand continued down the hallway.

PART IV

After the first of the year, David's demands for sex increased. David asked me to meet him in the faculty lounge to talk. He "needed to talk" with me. He said it was "very important" that he talk with me; however, I did not go to talk with David. I wanted to stay as far away from him as possible. But every time the classroom door opened for someone to enter, my heart seemed to jump into my throat. I was fearful of David. I could not understand why he was bringing female students to class tardy with the demand for me to "Keep your mouth shut!" I could not understand why he was taking the female students out of my class approximately one half hour early with the same demand, "Keep your mouth shut!" I would not have thought anything had he not demanded that I "keep" my "mouth shut". These students subsequently were transferred out of the school.

During the first two weeks of the new year, a meeting of the grade level teachers was scheduled for my classroom. At the ringing of the bell at 2:10 P.M., I was walking towards my computer to the left of the teacher's desk. I had to record the seventh period's attendance. David entered the classroom, and as I walked to the computer, he reached out and forcefully grabbed my right breast. It was almost as if he were forcefully plucking the breast from my body. I sharply demanded as I flung his hand away, "DO NOT DO THAT! STOP THAT!" As a result of the breast grab, my breast ached for approximately six weeks and was terribly bruised. The bruises were all around the breast. I was terribly upset with David. David knew that I was upset with him. I did not know what to do. I wanted to run and scream and cry. But we had to finish the final exam. A fellow teacher had entered the classroom before David entered. This fellow teacher and David passed in the doorway, the teacher on the way out and David on the way in. Surely this fellow teacher had seen David. With final exams not too far in the future, I tried to pull myself together sufficiently to hold the meeting, however, not too much was accomplished at the meeting.

The next evening David entered my classroom again at the end of the day. He was wearing a green banlon type shirt. He sat down in the chair on the other side of the table. I ignored him. I had absolutely nothing more to say to him. Finally, David said, "Karen, I want to apologize to you for grabbing you yesterday! I know that you are very angry with me!"

Finally, I let David know, "Yes, David, I am angry with you!"

David stated, "Well, I wasn't going to tell you this, but I really do admire you! (Whatever that is supposed to mean.) I really do apologize! But to tell you the truth, I never have been a rat that runs to the same hole!"

I did not say anything more to David. The fellow teacher from the previous day entered again with information for the final examination. David got up and left the room.

During one of the encounters with David outside my classroom door, David informed me that the teacher down the hallway was "the most beautiful woman in the world. She keeps her mouth shut and does not bother anyone! I have spent many hours after school with her down there!" I could not imagine what in the world he was doing bothering the lady.

After I reported David, this teacher came to me in the computer lab where I was alone and working. She made a point of telling me that "I keep my mouth shut! I do not bother anyone! I am not a troublemaker!"

David had called me one evening at home. I just happened to unthinkingly pick up the telephone. I asked David why one of the assistants was crying so much. She had been upset the previous year as well! "You seem to know everything that goes on in the school. What is wrong with her?" David was very quiet for the longest time. I would not ease up. I kept prodding.

Then David replied, "Her husband is a couch potato! He does not take her anywhere. He does not provide sexually for her!" I still did not know why she was crying so much--particularly at school! She really seemed upset and distraught! Sometime in the future I would be able to know why she was crying and what the trouble was.

One morning during the first two weeks of the new year, my immediate supervisor called me at 5:22 A.M. to tell me not to report to school that day because of a broken water main. I crawled into bed and went back to sleep! I needed the sleep because I was experiencing extreme difficulty sleeping!

At 8:24 A.M. I was again awakened with the ringing of the telephone! I reached out and picked up the telephone and answered, "Hello!"

The caller stated, "Karen, this is David!"

I sleepily answered, "David?"

Then the caller repeated, "Yes, David Elder!"

I replied, "Oh, David!"

Then David commented, "Karen, this is the perfect day for you to come to my house and have sex. My wife is at work. We can fuck all day!"

I responded, "I cannot do that! I am not interested in doing that!"

David demanded, "Yes, you can! Stop making excuses!"

"I have things to do! I will not do that! I am not interested!" I adamantly stated.

David replied, "O.K. Then I won't bother you again!"

I answered, "O.K."

I naively believed that David would leave me alone after this call. But I was really mistaken. I thought that the sexual demands and comments and grabs had finally come to an end, but I was very, very wrong!

The next morning I arrived at school to find David parked in my handicapped parking space where I had parked for almost six years. I had almost died from being overdosed on asthma medication by a doctor, spent a week in the hospital, and could not walk for approximately six months henceforth. Thus, I parked directly in front of the school in the first handicapped parking space.

On this morning I parked in another space nearby. By the time I had parked my car, I was a minute late. I got out of my car and walked to the front doors of the school. David was following me and walked directly behind me. When I entered the front door of the school, David reprimanded, "Karen, you are late!"

I quipped, "David, you are parked in my parking space. I am angry!"

David threatened, "Yes, I am! I cannot get on top of you any other way. I am going to park in your parking space until I get what I want. And I am going to make your life miserable for you until you have sex with me! You have until January 31st to have sex with me!"

I was absolutely furious. I could not believe that David was threatening me. The doorway to the school was filled with students. I said no more to David, went into the office to sign in, and continued on my way to the classroom.

During the lunch period on this same day, a student was sitting in the second seat from the front in the row next to me as I sat at my computer. He was no more than three feet from me. I was printing material for him to study. As we sat there, the locked door was opened and David entered. David leaned down to me and demanded in a gruff voice, "I WANT SEX!" I looked around to see if the student had heard. I do not know how he could not have heard; however, the student just looked at me. His face was typically expressionless. David left the classroom.

In a subsequent meeting with the principal, I was informed that he (the principal) had been in the room when this student was questioned, and he denied hearing anything. I must question why the principal was present during the questioning of anyone involved during an investigation. Subsequent documents state that the student denied hearing anything, but did remember seeing David Elder alone in the room with Ms Gambini; however, I was never alone in the room with David.

On this same day at the beginning of the sixth period, I stood at my customary place at the door waiting for my students. David walked by. He asked me, "Do you want this apple to eat?" He was carrying an apple in a plastic bag.

I responded, "No, thank you!"

David replied, "I bet if Harry gave you this apple you would eat it!" I did not reply. David then told me not to cry! He continued down the hallway!

The next morning, a Wednesday, I went to the main staff lounge in the school. Another teacher was seated at the table. I sat down and talked with her. We talked about how cold the lounge was. As David came into the lounge, the other teacher muttered, "I hate that man!"

David sat down across from the other teacher. The three of us discussed the cold! Or rather the other teacher and I discussed the cold, and David joined in. The other teacher got up and left as I complained about the cold! David looked at me and announced, "I've got something that will warm you up like a radiator!" I did not reply. I got up and left the lounge and went on my way. The teacher who had been with me in the lounge transferred to another school near or at the semester.

On Wednesday evening, I drove towards the neighboring town on my way home from school. I kept hearing a car horn blowing. David was behind me. He pulled up to the stop light and stopped. David was now on my left. David rolled down his right window. David pointed to my left window which I reluctantly rolled down! "Do you want to follow me home?" David asked.

"No!" I blurted out. I put my car window back up.

David was eating an orange. He took the orange and made some funny shape with it--pushing the sides together. He took a bite and laughed. He pointed to me. I had no idea what in the world was so funny and why he was pointing to me and laughing. I guess I am naive because I did not figure out for awhile that David was making a vagina with the orange.

Subsequently, I tried to ignore David; however, he was determined to make sure that he was not ignored. The next morning he was in the hallway when I was walking to my classroom to wait for the bell to end period one.

David instructed, "Come here, Karen; I want to show you something!"

I attempted to avoid him and continued walking. He deliberately placed himself in front of me. David had a pad of paper and drew a picture on it. He thrust the pad before me. He said, "See this right here. I am going to place that big bad boy right here. He'll begin to throb, and I'll fuck your brains out! Everyone will know you've had sex from the smile on your face and the way you walk!"

I changed the subject as David complained about my changing the subject when "I want to talk about sex." I walked on down the hallway without another word and waited for the bell to ring and the class to begin. I was really getting tired of the antics and statements of this perverted man.

One day later and the next morning, I was again standing outside my room waiting for first period to end. David had walked a girl around the hallway talking to her. He had made a complete circle or square around the courtyard. He was telling this girl that if she ever had any problems that he could help her with "to come to me!" The girl continued down the hallway alone!

David stopped at my doorway where I was waiting for the bell. David informed me that he was having a great time working in the basement which he is finishing. David said that he would like for me to see his work. He said that he had some plumbing to do. I told him, "My son is a good plumber. He does beautiful work!" David seemed offended.

David responded, "I do not want anything from your son! All I want to do is fuck his mama!" The office called for David to go someplace. He left, and the bell rang.

PART V

When I had gathered up my things to leave school for the day, I had quite a surprise waiting for me in the parking lot. I had no idea that David was anywhere nearby. He was still parking his vehicle in my parking spot. I always managed to find a space nearby. On this evening I got into my car and closed the door. Another vehicle was parked on my right. As I started the engine, I suddenly saw David Elder in the space nearby to my left. He pulled his vehicle out towards my car so that I could not back either to the right or to the left! I was trapped! David continued to point to my car window! I finally rolled down the window! David asked me, "Karen, would you have sex with me?"

"I told you that I do not want to have sex with anyone!" I replied.

"But would you have sex with me?" David reiterated.

"No! I do not want to have sex with anyone!" I responded. As I continued to tell David that I was not interested in having sex with him or with anyone else, he pulled his vehicle slowly towards my car! I became very fearful! I started to cry, but remembered that a police officer had once told me that any sign of weakness on the victim's part would only tend to excite the perpetrator's actions. I tried not to cry!

David continued with his browbeating! I attempted to put the window up, but David pulled his vehicle even closer towards mine! Finally David said, "But if you wanted to have sex, would you have sex with me?"

I realized that my answer was very important! I did not want my car dented or damaged! Finally I stated, "Well, David, if I wanted to have sex with just anyone, you would do just as well as anyone else! But I do not want to have sex with anyone! I am not interested in having sex!"

Only then would David move his vehicle so that I could back my car out of the parking space. I knew that the neighbor was right! The situation was getting very dangerous! I had to do something about this horrible problem.

I was shaking as I drove down the road towards home! I sobbed quietly as I drove! I could not believe the actions of this horrible man. And I did not know what to do!

At last the weekend had arrived. I could escape for awhile. At Saturday School, I told my administrator that I had a very serious problem, and I did not know what to do about it! I explained to the administrator the nature of the problems, the assault, the threats, and the ultimatums. He told me, "Go tell your principal IMMEDIATELY!" Because it was the weekend and the following Monday was a holiday, I would have to wait!

I had spent many hours on the telephone talking with a neighbor. When David called me, when he made horrible comments to me, when he grabbed my breast, when he called me on the day off, I immediately shared this information with my neighbor. I was warned to report this man "before tragedy strikes!" The comments and the harassment were increasing in frequency and severity. I really did not know what to do! The neighbor wanted to place something on the Internet about my experiences. I wanted to handle the situation myself and asked him not to put information on the Internet. However, I later learned he had put Karen's story on the Internet.

Martin Luther King's birthday was a holiday. I could not report to the principal on this day. I had promised my neighbor that I would report!

When I arrived at school the next morning, I put my things in my classroom and proceeded to the ladies' staff bathroom down the hallway. David was leaning against the wall. He had one foot placed up and back against the wall on the right. David's security guard friend was standing on the other corner. As I walked by, the friend was saying to David, "If you are doing anything, David, you had better stop it, or you are going to get caught and get into trouble!"

"Oh! I am not going to get caught!" David boasted.

I proceeded into the bathroom before the beginning of school. I knew that I had to make the report today. I had no other choice.

On the day after the holiday, the principal was not in school. He was not available. I went to the principal's secretary to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. I reluctantly informed the secretary what the meeting was about. "I am being sexually harassed!" I stated.

"Don't tell me! Let me guess! Was it David Elder?" the principal's secretary asked. When I replied that it was, she scheduled an appointment for the next day.

The next morning when I reported to the office to meet with the principal, the secretary told me to "forget about any comments that I made to you yesterday. Just forget that I said anything."

"O.K." I replied. I tucked the information in the back of my mind and momentarily forgot about it!

I sat outside the principal's office waiting for him to meet with me. When I finally entered his office, sat down, and began to speak, the principal said, "No! Do not tell me any of the details. Go to Employee Assistance!"

I announced, "No! If I do not report this today, I will not report it!"

Reporting the criminal actions of David Elder was the most stupid thing that I have ever done in my life. I should never have reported him! I should have warned him of subsequent actions if his comments continued. Although I am not a violent person, I should have gone to school equipped with a ball bat and with a can of mace or pepper spray. I doubt that the mace or pepper spray would have worked. I would have placed the ball bat in a locked cabinet over night and would have retrieved it at the beginning of each day. The ball bat would have been placed within handy reach, either on the floor or perhaps on the chalk holder of the chalkboard. I would not have hesitated to use the ball bat. I would have swung for the knees! If that did not stop him, I would have aimed for the head! Additionally, I would have repeated whatever he said to me so that the students could clearly hear what was going on. They would not have to question, "Did he say to you what I thought he said?"

Then the principal asked a lady assistant principal to join him in his office. I informed the principal and his assistant of the actions of this man. The principal told me that I would have to place the complaint in writing unless "you want to leave it at the local level!" I proceeded to advise the principal that I had no qualms about putting my statements in writing. After all, the information was true! I could not understand why I would not want to place the statements in writing!

The principal inquired, "Have you ever seen David's car parked in front of your house?"

I responded, "I have not!"

Then the principal questioned, "Are you sure you have not seen his car?"

"I have not seen David's car," I told him.

The principal revealed to me that there was another complainant, but he was not sure whether she would proceed or not. He said that he would know the next day. Then the principal told me that before he asked me another question, he wanted to make a comment. "You do agree do you not that it is all right if David remains in the school?"

I believed that the principal was telling me, not asking me. I subsequently replied, "I do not know!"

Then the principal asked me whether David had ever touched me. I replied that he had on two occasions. The principal asked me when. I told him that the first time was in December. I started to provide the details; however, the principal stated, "No! Do not tell me the details." I told the principal that the second time occurred one evening when David came into my classroom about two weeks prior, reached out, and forcefully grabbed my breast. I described how I had flung David's hand away with the demand to "Please stop that!"

When I concluded the oral complaint, the principal looked at the notes he had taken and commented how some of the material was "downright criminal!" With the ringing of the bell, I returned to my class to resume my teaching duties.

On the afternoon of the day I gave this oral report to the principal, David Elder came into my two afternoon classes looking for the student who was in my classroom during lunch when David entered, bent down, and demanded, "I WANT SEX!"

The next morning I was again called into the principal's office to provide a written statement. Because of the lack of concentration which the sexual harassment, assault/battery, threats, and ultimatums had caused, I had spent much time handwriting the complaint because I kept hitting the wrong keys on the typewriter. When the principal asked me for the written statement, I handed it to him. The principal went out of the office to see whether the other complainant planned to proceed. It seemed that he had walked just around the corner of his office to the Business Manager's office next door. When he returned, the principal informed me that "She is not going to proceed! You are all alone!"

According to the written sexual harassment policy, the complaint can be either written or oral. Once the complaint is made, the procedures must be followed with a reporting to the Department of Personnel, EEO, Human Relations, and to the Superintendent of Schools. I believe that the principal was negligent because he did not report the individual who had decided not to proceed. I do not believe that once the complaint is reported that there is really a choice. The complaint must proceed through the proper channels. I do not believe that the other complainant had the choice of not proceeding. She had reported! It made no difference that the complaint was oral! The principal had a duty and an obligation to provide a safe environment for his staff. Thus, he had a duty to report this oral report or any oral report of sexual harassment to Personnel, to EEO, to Human Relations, and to the Superintendent. Obviously, he was not following the procedures, for he was not reporting the oral complaints.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked the principal.

"It is too late for you to back out! I have told personnel that your complaint is coming."

The principal advised me that he would "meet with David to get his comments. If the comments are different from yours, the information will go to the Department of Personnel. He does have a right to know the identity of his accusers, don't you think?"

"I do not know!" I replied.

The principal later told me that David's comments were one hundred eighty degrees different from mine. He did not share with me what David's comments were. The principal stated that in about two weeks Personnel would call me in for an interview. Then "they may conduct an investigation." The principal told me that I had to pretend and act as if nothing had happened. "Do two things," the principal informed me. "Tell the truth. Do not back down!" The principal told me that the school system would bring criminal charges against David.

The next day the principal called me into his office to sign my statements again. He stated that "David has denied all allegations! He denied even the telephone call!" The principal informed me that he was on his way to the personnel office with the information from both David and me. That night I received a telephone call from my principal. He told me that I could not talk about the sexual harassment to anyone or "You will be fired!" The principal stated that if I did not pretend as if nothing had happened that it could foul up the investigation. As he was making the comments to me, the principal muttered, "I feel like a puppet!"

Because the telephone call from David on the day of the broken water main was recorded on the Caller ID, I took the unit with me to school the following Monday, four days prior to the month's end, to prove to the principal that David had, indeed, called me. I knew that David would be in front of the school directing traffic as usual. I placed the Caller ID into a Rice Krispies' Bar box so that the number would not be erased and David would not know what I was carrying. I feared that he might try to destroy the evidence if he knew that I had it. The cabinet in my classroom had been broken into previously, and the lock destroyed.

When I went to the principal, he did not want to see the Caller ID with the number. He was not interested! I kept the unit locked in my room that day! Later, I placed the Rice Krispies' box with the unit in a black plastic bag and placed the bag and its contents in the trunk of my car! I wanted to make sure that the evidence was safe and that I would have it when I needed it!

PART VI

Two days later, I received word to report to the Office of Personnel. I supposed that the process described to me by the principal had begun. Arriving at the personnel office, I retrieved the black bag from my trunk and proceeded to my destination. I sat down in a chair to wait and carefully placed my treasure beside me. I planned to take a picture of the number on the unit; however, I had not done so as yet.

After waiting about fifteen minutes, I was ushered into the office of the personnel worker. I was asked why I had waited so long to report David. I replied that I was concerned about the image to the school and to the county and that I believed that the county had enough problems to endure. I showed her the Caller ID Unit with David's number registered. She checked the number on the unit with a number on the computer screen. Then she looked at me and asked, "Well, where do you want to transfer to? Which school? Take your choice!"

I replied, "I did not do anything wrong! I do not believe that I should be the one to be transferred!"

I proceeded to inform the personnel worker about the issues on my complaint. I complained about the bruised breast, the students being taken out of the room early and brought in tardy! I told her of the staff member who spent many, many hours at the school and about whom David had commented when he saw her outside "I like that!" I told her of the instructional assistant who was crying so much and seemed very distraught! I told her about the fellow teacher who had warned me that "David is not a nice man! He is evil. Do not ever be in a room alone with him!" This teacher had warned me just the previous week between the time that I had made my report and the time that the principal had reportedly briefed David of the allegations.

I was not certain what the lady in personnel wanted when she continued to ask, "What other conversations did you have with him?" She had the complaint in her hand. It seemed rather absurd to repeat those items I had already complained about! When the conference concluded, I placed the Caller ID Unit back into the Rice Krispies' box and into the black trash bag for easy carrying and left.

A day or so later, I wrote a letter to the personnel worker with the inquiry of what she wanted with the request for "other conversations" during the meeting. I stated in the letter that if David continued to deny the allegations that if he were Pinnochio that his nose would grow from one end of the earth to the other. It was, I thought, a nice way of saying "He is a G-- D--- liar!"

Approximately one week later, I placed a call to this personnel worker to see what was transpiring. I heard nothing! I believed that David would surely have been placed on administrative leave. I went to school every morning with the expectation that today will be the day. He will not be in front of the school. David had committed criminal acts. I could not believe that he was always there. I knew of male teachers who had been placed on administrative leave for just making an inappropriate comment. Thus, I cold not understand why David should not be on leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. He had committed a sex offense. Why was he not placed on leave? Whether a man is red, brown, yellow, black, or white, it should not make a difference. The same treatment should be rendered to all!

One Sunday night I received a telephone call from the colleague who had been in my classroom the evening that David had sexually assaulted and battered me by forcefully grabbing and bruising my breast. He knew that I had been sexually harassed because he had been part of the investigation that had taken place. I had no idea of the investigation. He informed me that there was another teacher who had experienced sexual harassment by David. At this point I knew that there were two of us who had been victimized by this man. The principal had said that there was another, but she was not proceeding! I could not understand why David was still in that school! As a matter of fact, David remained in that school until the final week of the school year. Nothing had happened to him--why not?

After filing the complaint, I suffered terribly. I could not talk with anyone! I had to pretend that nothing had happened and everything was fine! I had to keep a smile on my face, hold my head up, and walk through the hallways as if nothing had happened. Every time that I saw the principal he would tell me to "Be careful!" I could not sleep! I tossed and turned! I was tired all the time from the stress! I was experiencing difficulty concentrating! I was developing short term memory loss. I would have a meeting at 10:30 in the morning with the principal. But by evening I could not remember the time that we had met. I just could not remember! As I was driving home one evening, I had completely zoned out because of the exhaustion. I was driving in the right lane. Suddenly, I was aware of impending disaster. A road work truck was directly in front of me. I slammed on the brakes, shook my head to make sure I was awake, and proceeded on my way. My heart was pounding!

With everything that was going on, I began to fear retaliation from David. I was certain that he would do everything to get me to drop my complaint! I remembered his warnings about women who had wronged him. I had driven my car one weekend about the time that I had gone to talk with personnel, and the brakes were fine. The following day when I left school, the brakes were metal to metal. I could not believe it! Additionally, a car parked in my driveway had new tires, and suddenly a nail caused the tire to leak air! Thus, I watched my car and tried to "be careful" as the principal had instructed.

I remembered the morning that I had arrived at school to find another security team member directing traffic in front of the school. One of the parents of a student who worked for a television station was videoing the security team member. As I entered the school, David was standing beside the front door with his arms crossed. He seemed really angry! I asked him as I passed, "Are you all right?" He replied that he was angry and would come talk with me later about it. At the end of one of the periods, David came up to me as I stood outside my classroom door. He told me that he had gone to the principal to complain about the other security guard being televised because "I am at that place every morning rain or shine! He should not take the glory from my work! I am certain that the principal saw a side of me he did not know existed because I reminded him that he has a young wife and children." The video was not shown on television.

About two weeks after reporting to personnel, I arrived at school to see David in his usual spot in front of the school. I parked my car, went into the school, walked down the hallway, and entered my classroom. I decided to check my car to see if everything were all right. Because my classroom has two doors with windows and is situated just inside one of the outside doors, I could observe the parking lot and my parked car. As I looked out the window at my car, the rear of the driver's side looked strange. As I peered more closely, I noticed that David was on his haunches at the rear tire of my car. He was wearing an orange vest. Then as I watched, David rose. He walked to the left and placed two orange cones near the back of my car. That evening when I backed out of my parking space, I heard a popping sound. I looked to see what I had run over, but could not see anything. At first I thought about taking the throughway home, but decided to take the back way instead. I arrived home and parked my car in the driveway.

The next morning when I got up to do my breathing treatment with the machine, I found a note written by my son. He informed me that he would have to drive me to school because I had a flat tire. He said that what looked like a piece of hanger was protruding from the center of the tire. It seemed to have been purposely placed. Later that day my son had a blowout on the beltway when he took the car to have the tire repaired. I shuddered at the thought of my intended fate. I believe that David was intimidating me to get me to withdraw my complaint! Such intimidating tactics only made me more determined to stand firm to my convictions! I would not withdraw the truth!

I reported the occurrences to the principal. Again he told me to document and to "be careful!" He had previously told me to report subsequent actions to him; however, I do not believe that he ever reported the continuing intimidations to the office of personnel. It is truly a man's world!

During the testing session of one of the functional tests, I was serving Hall Duty near the gymnasium area. Off in the distance I could hear a lady security guard talking about the allegations against David. She laughingly said, "David denies everything! No one believes Ms Gambini!" I had to sit and suffer in silence. It was obvious that David had not received the same instructions that I had to keep quiet and not talk about the sexual harassment. He was talking!

After I completed the Hall Duty, I walked down the main office corridor where a colleague was serving her duty. The administration was giving this teacher a really hard time. I believe that she was being harassed for some reason. I do not know why! This teacher was requested to do all kinds of statistical reports on her teaching. She was given so many extraneous tasks to do that I do not see how she could effectively teach. During the conversation this teacher asked me, "How would you feel if you knew a teacher had been set up?"

I replied, "Do you think that I would set you up?"

"No! I am not talking about you setting me up!" she responded. Before she could proceed with her comments, the hallway filled with people. The conversation was dropped, and I continued on my way!

One day during a free period, I walked into the office of the Assistant Principal who had been present during the oral report of the sexual harassment and assault by David. The assistant principal told me that she had discussed the issues with her husband. She said that I had no reason to lie about David and that I had never been a troublemaker and did not create waves. I was told that the principal had mentioned the name of another complainant on the day I reported. She suggested that I talk with this other individual because we could be a comfort to one another. She saw no reason why we could not talk. The assistant principal also informed me that David was telling that I "had put the make on him!" I replied that "he does not appeal to me!" I had not done anything that provoked David's advances. He represented a dirty old man and a bully who should have been dealt with with a ball bat and the breaking of his knees. But his head was too hard for the ball bat to get through, and he did not understand the meaning of "NO! NO! NO! NO!"

Because I needed to talk with someone, I decided to talk with one of the union representatives. The principal had previously told me that he had notified my supervisor and this individual of the sexual harassment; however, when I made an appointment to talk with this so-called informed man, he was totally unaware of the identity of the individuals involved. He knew when I talked with him at lunch what the requested conference was for. I met with this colleague during seventh period. Present in the next room was the instructional assistant that I had observed extremely distraught and crying frequently!

As we talked about what had happened, the union rep suggested that I talk with the other complainant. He could not see anything wrong in talking, in supporting, and in comforting one another. When I concluded the meeting with him, I left and prepared to go home! As I was exiting the school, I noticed that the instructional assistant who had been next door was in her car behind me. She had been crying uncontrollably! Her face was red and swollen! When she got to the light, she turned right! I wondered where she was going because I thought she lived in the other direction!

The next week I met with the other victim who had complained. We met discreetly in the stacks of the periodical room of the media center. She told me that she did not trust the principal and had gone to the area office where she placed her statements in writing and signed them. She said, "The principal still does not know of the written statements and signature." I asked this victim if David had ever touched her. She replied that he had. When I asked her if he had touched her more than twice, she responded, "Yes!"

She said that he had touched her about twelve times. She described how he would come into her classroom where she was seated at her desk, place both his hands under her breasts, and lift upward. I inquired what her response was. She replied that she would say, "Get away from me, you dirty old man!" She was reluctant to have anything done to this man because she did not want the vandalism, the threats, the telephone calls and intimidations that would go with it. "Besides, they will not do anything to him because of the color of his skin," she replied. This victim told me that she had been harassed since September when she had typed a resume for David. I explained to this victim that I believed that the distraught lady had also been harassed by David Elder; however, the victim replied that she had talked with her. "The only comment she makes is 'I would not want to be in a room alone with him'."

Although I repeatedly tried to get information as to the disposition of the complaint, I received no feedback. Six days before the end of March, the other victim informed me, "Today is the day that David Elder is to report to Personnel for his letter of reprimand and disciplinary action! I do not understand why they tell me things and do not tell you!"

The next morning I went to the cafeteria for my customary doughnut and cup of coffee. I liked to sit in the solitude of the cafeteria and do my work. On this day, five days before the end of March, I overheard a fellow security guard of David's confide to a friend that "David says he's not signin' nothin'."

Although getting through the remainder of the school year was difficult, the end finally arrived. Only two more weeks remained in the school year. Approximately two weeks into June, the principal's secretary left me a message to contact a member of personnel. I tried to contact the individual; however, I could not get in touch with him. I finally returned home for the day and tried the number again. I conveyed the message to the receptionist that since I did not know what he wanted that I would wait for his return call. I would not make any further futile calls.

The next day I was called to the principal's office and reprimanded for not returning the personnel member's call. I replied that I had called, but could not reach him. The principal called personnel from his private number. I talked with the representative from personnel and was asked whether I would testify at a hearing. Prior to this request, I was questioned as to whether I had ever invited David to my house and whether I had ever made sexual comments or suggestions to David. I emphatically denied ever doing so. At this point in time, I either cried or became very angry and hostile. The member of Personnel said, "Do not be so hostile! We are on your side!" I finally stated that I would be happy to testify! I had not reported the incidents to back down. Personnel asked me to meet the lady I had previously talked with at the personnel office around noon. Later, I left my car at the Personnel Office and rode with the Personnel worker to the scheduled meeting place.

When we arrived at the Hearing Place, I was briefed by several individuals. Then I was led to a lobby area where I was allowed to compose myself. Then one of the personnel members brought a copy of my complaint and told me to read it. When he returned, he questioned, "Can you think of anything that he could add to that?"

My reply was "Not a thing!" The incidents on the complaint included everything that transpired during that scenario. David could not add anything unless he fabricated any additions.

During the giving of testimony, the hearing officer asked what had precipitated the reporting of the sexual harassment. I replied, "Because he threatened me. He gave me an ultimatum. He told me that I had until January 31st to have sex with him or my life would be miserable!"

The hearing officer exclaimed, "So that is what precipitated your actions!"

I replied, "Yes!"

During the testimony at the hearing a letter from a colleague was presented. With the issuing of the complaints, David had sought out individuals to vouch for him. The letter stated that I had falsely confronted the colleague with the accusation that he had called me the "bag lady". Such an incident had never happened.

Later, Personnel informed me that David and I had been given the same instructions not to talk to anyone. David immediately went out looking for individuals to vouch for him; whereas, I did not. David was not credible.

On this day I learned that if I filed charges against David that I would be on my own. The principal had explained to me that the school system would bring charges. I discovered that that just would not happen. When I explained to the Personnel worker that David's actions had destroyed me, she replied, "We know he has!"

At this point in time, I had no idea that my destruction was only in the infantile stages. The future events would put me in a blender and grind me into tiny bits to be thrown into the trash! Had I been aware of this fact, I just might have taken matters into my own hands and brought a swift closure to the problem.

PART VII

David had filed a grievance with his association. He wanted to have the letter of reprimand and disciplinary action removed from his file. He wanted to be made whole. The Hearing allegedly concerned rumors of suspension/dismissal. These rumors were to be squashed! Of course, as the other victim stated, nothing would happen to David.

At the conclusion of the Hearing, I returned to school. When I entered my room, the room was as I had left it. The next morning when I entered my room, the classroom was in disarray. Items had been moved helter skelter. I complained to the principal about the room stating that I did not know whether night school had been held the previous night, "but if the intimidations do not stop, I am going to bring the police in here!" The next school day David was not in school. Since it was the last week of school, David probably was not expected to attend anyway.

On the morning after the Hearing, the other victim came to my classroom and questioned, "Karen, did you testify at the hearing yesterday?" She was shaking almost uncontrollably. I held her icy, trembling hands to stop the shaking. When I replied that I had testified, the other victim stated, "Well, I cannot testify on such short notice. Besides they will not do anything with him anyway. I do not want the vandalism, the threats, the harassing telephone calls, and whatever goes with it. I am retiring and moving out of the area!"

I called a number of individuals to learn the disposition of the complaint. No one gave me any information. The last day of school the union representative informed me that David "would probably be transferred! You did the right thing! We did not think that you would back down!"

Because I was not certain that the principal was keeping Personnel informed of the further intimidations, I began a letter two days after the Hearing; however, I did not complete the letter until five days before the end of July. I was not kept informed! As far as I was concerned, not one thing had been done to the perpetrator of the crimes! According to his security guard friend, "David denied everything. He's not signin' nothin'." As of this date, he was still arriving to school daily and directing traffic in front of the school.

I had become an object of ridicule. My colleagues referred to me as "It!" I was referred to as the devil who appears when "you talk about It!" I did not appreciate the treatment and did not believe the ridicule was fair! David referred to me as "Dope! Dope! Dope!" One morning when I exited my car and walked across the area to the front door, David spoke into his two-way radio, "Dope! Dope! Dope!" A dope according to the dictionary is a dumb, stupid person! My co-victim and I were considered fools by the faculty for reporting the actions of David.

Because of the comments made by my colleagues that they had seen "David go into my room frequently" and that "it is hard to tell what they are doing in there", I believe that David was going into my classroom after school after my departure from the building. He was not frequently in my room when I was there except when the classes were in session.

Occasionally when I left the school at a later time than usual, David stood about 100 feet down the hallway! When I exited the building, David walked across the area near the gymnasium to the parking lot. I believe that David was stalking me!

PART VIII

During the summer months I repeatedly tried to learn whether David would return to the school in the fall; however, I could not get definite information. Returning to the school for the beginning of the next school term, I learned the whereabouts of David. The principal announced at the first meeting of the faculty that "David has accepted a transfer to another school. It is closer to his home!"

Later the principal called me into his office to give me an update about David. He said he had not returned my calls in the summer because he did not know anything. I replied that he could have called and told me he knew nothing. The principal told me that David had been transferred. Additionally, the principal stated that a letter of reprimand would be placed in David's personnel file. "See we made it! It is over!" Men do not seem to understand the effects of sexual harassment, sexual assault, battery, and threats upon women. This principal just did not understand.

At the conclusion of this meeting, I returned to my classroom to continue with the decorating of the room. As I walked across the opening of the door, I observed the principal walking down the hallway towards the resource teacher. He had papers in his hand. I walked into the hallway and stood behind the wall. Because I had just met with him and had informed him that I was considering civil litigation, I was interested in what he had to say. The principal informed my supervisor, "If she does not perform this year, we are going to get rid of her too! She can sue us!" I believe they were talking about me.

I learned that the procedures of the Sexual Harassment must be followed. Accordingly, the information must be given to the Superintendent of Schools. Because I had not heard anything from the superintendent or anyone and had received no formal reply to my complaint, I wrote the superintendent a letter. I outlined some of the problems. I wanted to make sure that he was, indeed, aware of the incidents.

Because I had not received a reply from the superintendent by the end of September, at the beginning of October I went to my union to see if they would help me! I was informed by the uni-server that with the issuing of verbal complaint(s) of sexual assault, battery and threats that David should have been placed on administrative leave with pay while the incident(s) were being investigated. Neither one of the complainants should have been asked to make the decision as to whether or not David should have remained in the school. David should not have been made privy to the identity of the individuals making the complaints as this is totally against policy. Additionally, the principal's call telling me that I would be fired if I talked about the harassment was totally inappropriate.

The reporting of the sexual harassment, sexual assault/battery, threats, ultimatums, and intimidations began a whirlwind of harassment, badgering, and retaliation by my superiors. I became the "proverbial bad boy or girl" and was always in the principal's office. Three days into October, the principal's secretary left me a message that the principal wanted to see me in three days at 9:20 A.M. I was not informed why he wanted to see me. When I met with the principal and another lady vice principal a week into October, I learned that the principal was aware of the letter that I had written to the superintendent. He was upset that I had written a letter describing various problems. The principal informed me that my "performance was never in question". I believed that the "powers that be" were fully aware of the sexual harassment tendencies of David Elder. I had informed the superintendent of this belief in my letter at the beginning of September.

Approximately four weeks later, I received a reply to my letter. The superintendent stated that the procedures had been followed. He stated that many of the accounts differed from my accounting of the situation or events. Of course, the statements would be different. I told the truth; whereas, other individuals stretched the truth or reversed the truth. Additionally, the superintendent stated that I had been asked whether the security guard should be transferred during the investigation and I had stated there was no need to. The principal told me the security guard would remain! I had no say! Additionally, the personnel worker had asked me where I wanted to transfer to. I had told her that I had done nothing wrong and should not be the one to transfer. Then the superintendent wrote that there is no record of my concern about the guard remaining in the school during the investigation. I had been asked to transfer. Nothing was said about the transfer of the security guard. Again, I had no say! Additionally, on February 13, 1997, I told the principal I was not comfortable with David in the school. The superintendent said that the principal had begun the investigation by reporting to Personnel and to Human Relations. The superintendent hoped that I would continue to report acts of sexual harassment. The superintendent's letter did not state that the other two notifications were made. The EEO needs to be informed as well as the superintendent. Thus, I must guess that these two were not informed with the meaning, in effect, that the procedures were not followed.

In early October when I received the superintendent's reply to my letter, I was totally devastated. I could not believe that the system was covering up the criminal acts of this man. No one cared about what had happened! One rumor that I heard was that David's wife did not know about the complaints against him--thus, the reason for the inaction by the county. Seemingly, the county cared more about a man employed for three years over a dedicated, loyal, conscientious teacher of more than thirty years.

My friends repeatedly alerted me that the other reporting victim and I were not the only victims of sexual harassment by this man. "There is probably a whole bunch of them," I was told. I later learned that I was the fifth victim of this man. I heard rumors of numerous other victims. Later, I was told the identity of a victim by a supervisor. "He really gave her a hard time," the supervisor stated. To date, I have not even divulged this information to anyone because she would make a good witness.

Approximately ten days into October, I sent a First Class message to the personnel worker and questioned whether a different policy exists for supporting services than for professional staff. I requested a copy of the procedures mandated for compliance by all individuals. I did not receive a reply to my requests. Because of this lack of response, I subsequently contacted the uni-server at the teacher's union. Then I contacted another individual at the union. I was not hearing from anyone.

Finally I received a message from the original contact at the union. She informed me that she was not having much luck in getting responses from her inquiries, but that she would provide an update as soon as she heard.

Then the principal's secretary scheduled another meeting with the principal for October 17, 1997. I met with the principal and with the lady vice principal. I had noticed that every time I met with the principal that his office door was left slightly ajar. This time was no different. Again the office door was open. The principal expressed his anger that my letter to the superintendent had stated that the "powers that be" were fully aware of the sexual harassment by David Elder. The principal said that the "powers that be" referred to him and the other vice principal. I told him that the "powers that be refers to anyone who has knowledge." I guess he had finally received a copy of my letter to the superintendent because he addressed some of my concerns. Of course, he was attempting to provide his version of what had happened and was stretching the truth. But I remember that he was very, very angry!

Because the principal was attempting to change the truth to make himself look better, I asked him to meet me at my room because I wanted to show him that I could, indeed, see my car from my classroom window. I do not believe that he wanted to believe what I was telling him! He was protecting the security team member in the "good ole boy network!"

About two weeks after receiving the superintendent's letter, I sent the superintendent a response to his letter of early October and refuted his statements. Procedures were not followed. David Elder should have been placed on administrative leave; the police should have been notified so that they could have investigated and filed charges against David Elder. The complainants should not have been asked (actually I was told he would remain) whether David Elder should have remained at the school. David Elder should not have been informed of the identity of the complainants. The school system has been grossly negligent.

Of course, I received no further information or correspondence from the school system. I was just not going to be kept informed for whatever reason my superiors had. In mid-October I informed the union that I was seriously considering filing criminal charges against David Elder. I received absolutely no response from my contact at the union. One month later my message to the union representative was returned to me because "the host was unknown!" Repeated and subsequent messages were unanswered. I finally contacted another individual at the union to see what was going on.

PART IX

One month had passed; reports about alleged child abuse by a substitute bus attendant were all over the First Class. It seems that if an adult is sexually harassed, assaulted/battered, threatened, intimidated and issued ultimatums that no one cares. If a child is abused, the entire world gets involved.

Six days into the new year when I left my house in the morning, I observed a vehicle go to the dead end of my street. Then the vehicle was behind me. As I proceeded on my way and stopped at a stop light on a major boulevard and avenue, a vehicle stopped behind me. The driver had his left turn signal on; then he started to get out of his vehicle. I flipped the rearview mirror down to see who was there. I recognized David Elder. He was not wearing a hat, but he had his glasses on. Then he turned off his headlights. No one was in the vehicle with him. When the light turned green, the red colored vehicle turned right. I continued on my way. I literally shook for three days.

When I arrived at school, I informed a colleague that I had been followed by David Elder. The colleague asked, "Have you told the principal?"

I shook my head and stated, "No, I have not!" I could see absolutely no reason to tell the principal anything because he never did anything anyway. I was not even certain that further intimidations were being reported to the Department of Personnel Services.

I was later informed by the State's Attorney's Office in March that David Elder was at the junction of the avenue and the boulevard because his children attended the private school located nearby. He was allegedly taking his children to school. But I did not see anyone in the vehicle with him that morning.

I had endured just about all that I could withstand! David Elder had to learn that he could not continue to treat women the way that he was! Exactly one year from the date of the breast grabbing, I went to the Commissioner's Office and filed charges against David Elder. A DCS was issued for him for second degree assault, fourth degree sexual offense, and vandalism.

Later I learned that the contact at the union had been replaced by a man. She had believed that what this man had done was "terrible" and that the principal was "in a lot of trouble". She had promised to write a letter to the school system on my behalf; however, because she was transferred to another location, she did not complete the letter. The man who took her place finally got around to writing the letter on or about four days before the end of the first month of the new year. His letter addressed four concerns: The offender was not removed from the work site during the investigation; untimely response of finds and recommendations; no Employee Assistance to the victim; no police report was filed as is customary for criminal offenses.

Sometime after I had filed the complaint against David Elder, I made an appointment to seek the assistance of this replacement. He forewarned me that "If the case against David goes to trial, he will receive a "not guilty" verdict because word gets around!" I had not the slightest idea what he was talking about. I did not know what word was getting around. He also believed that "this situation took you away from your family, didn't it?" Again, I knew not what he was talking about because my numerous hours of work were the only thing taking me away from my family.

Five days into the second month, the Director of Personnel operations responded to the union's letter. She did not send a copy of the letter to me. I had to get that personally from the union representative. Of course, according to the director, the school system took appropriate disciplinary action against the offender and removed him from the school. The fact that approximately nine months had expired between the time of the complaint and the removal of the offender from the school makes no difference. Additionally, the letter states that a thorough investigation was conducted by the Department of Personnel Services and that the complainant felt comfortable with David Elder at the school "as long as conversations between them ceased." I do not remember ever telling anyone or stating that I was comfortable. I do remember the principal telling me, "You do agree do you not that it is all right if David remains at the school!" I believe the principal was telling me, not asking me. What I thought and what I felt made absolutely no difference! Besides, I had informed the principal when I reported the tire incident that I was not comfortable with David at school.

According to the director, there "is no automatic stipulation in policy that requires an employee to be removed from a work site during the course of an investigation. Each case is unique, and the judgment is made at the time whether administrative leave is necessary in a specific investigation." The complaint involved more than sexual harassment. This complaint involved sexual assault, battery, intimidation and threats. According to the TV NEWS REPORT, the policy is that individuals are automatically placed on leave...example...the substitute aide who allegedly abused children. In every situation that this teacher can remember and has heard about at my school, situations involving white Caucasians and allegations lodged against them resulted in their immediate placement on administrative leave. I must question whether this situation is any different for black males. I believe that my school system demonstrates a double standard and discriminatory practices. (At a later time I found the rule for immediate placement of individuals on administrative leave with pay if they are involved in an administrative investigation. David Elder should have been immediately placed on leave according to the policies.)

Additionally, the letter stated that the Department of Personnel Services are confidential and that I had no right to know specific action taken by the school system. The director stated that David Elder is no longer assigned to the school. I believe that I had the right to be kept informed just as the other complainant was being informed. I had received one letter from the superintendent only after I had constantly prodded to get the feedback. Obviously, the director did not even believe that I had the right to receive a copy of her letter in reply to the union representative's letter. She did not send me a copy.

The director regretted the incidents that occurred and stated that the school system aggressively dealt with Karen Gambini's accusations and resolved the situation with appropriate action. The director referred to the superintendent's letter of early October, with "the school system took appropriate disciplinary action against the offender and removed him from...School." The director "find no fault whatsoever with the handling of the investigation and trusts that this letter responds sufficiently to the concerns."

Aggressively dealing with the situation of the complaint would have surely resulted in the immediate placement on administrative leave of David Elder. After all, the school system had at this time received two complaints "with similar statements" by the complainants. How much more evidence and how many more complaints did they need in order to take aggressive action, an action that took nine months! I do not classify nine months as aggressive! I later learned that there were numerous other complaints of sexual harassment by David Elder, but the women were afraid to proceed. They transferred or were transferred previous to the time of the other teacher's complaint and to my complaint. The inaction of the Department of Personnel Services resulted in David Elder being given a license to continue his acts of hostility and violence against women.

As result of filing the criminal charges against David Elder, the newspapers somehow were informed of the charges. They printed a story in their paper about the teacher alleging that David Elder had made sexual advances. Of course, David Elder denied everything. A spokesperson for the State's Attorney's Office said, "It is not unusual for citizens to obtain a criminal summons and charging documents against another without a police investigation and based on the "barest possible cause". This spokesperson was not the individual harassed, assaulted, battered, threatened, intimidated and issued ultimatums. This state's attorney did not have her breast grabbed and bruised by David Elder. Personally, I believe that this individual should have talked with the victim before making such statements to the press. This individual is a former student of Karen Gambini's. She should know better than to make hasty decisions. This spokesperson further states that "As with all criminal summonses, the State's Attorney's Office will review the circumstances and decide whether to prosecute the case." I believe that this individual was very negligent in drawing conclusions before having all the facts. As with most charges and it was no different in this situation, no one investigated to see whether they were true! No one was concerned about the evidence. It seemed that all the State's Attorney's Office was concerned with was that This ex-police officer had been accused of criminal acts, and he had denied all allegations! Accordingly, that meant that he was innocent! It made no difference that evidence existed of his guilt. They saw absolutely no need to ask for an investigation by the police or anyone else! That was that! (I truly believe that the breast is much more of a sexual organ of the body than the inner thigh which the jogger allegedly grabbed and is facing a possible eleven years in prison.)
PART X

Later, I learned that I was not the second victim. I was the third, then the fourth, then the fifth victim. At the urging of my doctor, I talked with the individual who had warned me to be careful of David Elder. "Be careful! He is not a nice man and he is evil. Never be in a room alone with him!" I had been warned between the time that I complained and the time David was allegedly informed of the identity of the accusers and the accusations. When I went to talk with this individual in mid-February, she denied ever warning me in the first place. I could not believe her. I could recount items and had notes of statements that she had told me at the time of her warning.

Afterwards, I walked briskly down the hallway past my supervisor's office. My supervisor asked me, "Karen, what are you upset about?" She could hear the disgust in the click of my heels as I walked.

In disgust, I explained why I was so upset! "I cannot believe that people warn me about someone and then completely deny ever making the statement. I just hope that I do not have to call these women to testify!"

When I walked on down the hallway, my supervisor left her office and walked quickly to the principal's office. I immediately followed her. I wanted to see where she had gone. As I walked past the principal's office, I overheard him say to my supervisor, "Well, we'll just have to call those women in, won't we?"

One year ago in early March, the principal's secretary left me a message that the principal wanted to meet with me on Friday, the thirteenth, at 10:10 A.M. I responded that I really wanted to meet with the principal also because I was suffering with the situation and wanted to talk with the principal about going on leave for several weeks. I was agonizing terribly!

Approximately one week after the scheduling of the appointment, I met with the principal and an assistant principal at the scheduled time. The principal briefed me "that a student had reported that I had told them that they could not wear perfume to class. They said you were going to file charges against them if they do."

I refuted the statements and notified the principal, "I told the students not to wear a lot of perfume because I am terribly allergic and sensitive to it. These odors of perfumes could trigger an asthma attack. I told them to remember that a little dab will do it!" I alerted the principal that I had severe reactions to perfumes during seventh period one day and then first period the next day. The result of the heavy odor of perfumes was horrible as I had to use my inhaler three times to stop the wheezing. Generally, the students cooperate and boast to me about not wearing a lot of perfume just for my benefit. I would make the request of the "little dab" only after experiencing a problem. The principal told me not to say anything to the students henceforth. He told me to report the incidents either to him or to my resource teacher. I could die in the meantime.

The principal then asked, "Have you ever had an asthma attack while at school?"

"Yes," I informed him. I recounted the time and experiences. I enumerated the things that could trigger an asthma attack: strong odors including smoke and perfumes or colognes, walking great distances and too fast, running, climbing flights of stairs, etc., etc. I left the office and returned to class.

Later, a student entered my classroom with an Emergency Class Coverage for fifth period at the back and bottom of the school. I noticed that a notation at the top of the sheet stated my whereabouts for second period. I asked the student why she had not delivered the notice to me during second period. She said that she could not find me. I could not understand her comment because I had been in my classroom.

During the fifth period I walked slowly downstairs to my destination. On the way I passed one of the assistant principals who was on his two-way radio. I told the assistant principal that I was on the way to cover class. Because of the long distance, I continued slowly on my way. As I passed through the cosmetology hallway, Mrs. Holbrook, the cosmetologist, was on the pay telephone talking and complaining about the door to the outside being locked. She complained about not having access to the building in the event of an emergency! She could not get in touch with anyone to correct the problem. I continued to my destination.

When I arrived at the assigned coverage, no coverage was needed. Realizing that those many flights of stairs would cause problems, I began the long journey upward. Although I was walking and climbing very slowly, I began to wheeze terribly from the climb. I used my inhaler once and rested. I climbed again. I wheezed worse as my chest grew tighter and tighter. I used the inhaler again and slowly climbed. I knew that I was in trouble. The flights of stairs had brought on an asthma attack. I used the inhaler the third time and very slowly maneuvered my way down the hallway to the Xerox room. Because the hallways were generally empty during class, I knew that I had to be near people and help, if needed.

A colleague was xeroxing in the Xerox Room. I sat down in a nearby chair and leaned my head back against the wall. Before long, I was completely unaware that the lady had stopped working and left. I zoned out! When the bell rang, I snapped back to reality and went to my sixth period class. When I thought about the situation, I believe that no one would have cared if I had an asthma attack and died as a result. Perhaps that was my intended fate!

PART XI

Four days later, I left the principal a message that I really needed to see him because I needed to take leave. The effects of the stress of the situation and the continuous asthma attacks caused by the perfumes were taking toll. Some of the students believed that creating an asthma attack was funny, for they (one or two) continued to spray colognes and perfumes during class. They discreetly sprayed one another. Some of the students suffered from asthma as well, and the odors of the colognes bothered them. I had never had problems with the students previously. If the students knew about the problem, they were very careful about not wearing too much perfume!

I was really feeling down and felt horrible! On Wednesday, one day later, I was confronted by a fellow teacher as I walked down the hallway. She told me that I looked very sad and wondered whether I was all right. I told her that I was really fed up with all the David c---. I explained that the woman who had warned me denied warning me. I could not understand!

This teacher said, "Dana Dewflower was harassed by David Elder. I have overheard his comments. One day he made a really crude remark about a banana! You remember her, don't you?" She wrote the teacher's name on a slip of paper and gave it to me. The teacher had transferred to another location. The teacher continued, "Where there is one or two, there is generally a nest full of them." This teacher stated that she would be willing to talk with someone about the sexual harassment. She suggested that I call this individual and talk with her. Later when I looked this teacher's picture up in the yearbook, I recognized the teacher observed crying in the staff bathroom previously. Now I knew why she had been crying!

That same day my supervisor delivered a slip of paper to call a number of the State's Attorney's Office. When I contacted this individual, he wanted to place me on stand-by for the upcoming trial date. I informed the State's Attorney that I would be present. That day when I arrived home, the scheduled trial date had been changed.

Several days later, I met with another State's Attorney who professed to be representing me; however, in reality I believe that he was representing David Elder. In reference to David's attorney, the State's Attorney said, "I have spent many hours talking with him. David's attorney knows David is guilty! But he is a defense attorney, and he will destroy you!"

The State's Attorney told me, "David was picking up a pen that he had dropped when you saw him bending down at the back of your car."

I retorted, "He absolutely was not. One does not get down on his haunches to merely pick up a dropped pen, and he does not stay in that position as David did."

The State's Attorney elaborated, "David was dropping his children off at the private school when you saw him behind you at the junction of the avenue and boulevard. That is why he was there."

I informed the State's Attorney that I could prove the items on my charges. If they took the time to subpoena the Letter of Demand for the defective penile implant, the testimony of the assistant principal, the testimony of the other victim, the security guard friend of David's, and the other witnesses, they could prove my charges. Other items of evidence existed as well. However, David's profession was that of a police officer. Of course, the State's Attorney was going to refuse to prosecute him for his criminal actions. I was told by another individual helping the State's Attorney that they had checked my witnesses, and "Their testimony differs from yours!" It was about this time that I began to suspect that the word seemed to be that I had had sex with David. Accordingly, it is not sexual harassment if one has had sex. But I had not had sex of any nature or type with David. He absolutely did not appeal to me!

The State's Attorney wanted to know when I had learned that David had been transferred. I retrieved my checkbook from my purse and looked up the date. I replied, "August 29; the principal announced at the meeting of the faculty that David had transferred because it was closer to his home." I continued to talk with the State's Attorney for approximately forty-five minutes. I told him that David Elder needs to learn that he cannot go around grabbing breasts, making threats, and intimidating women.

Although the State's Attorney told me that he would keep in touch with me, I did not hear one further word from him or anyone else in the State's Attorney's Office. I subsequently notified the State's Attorney's Office with a list of witnesses to subpoena. I did not receive any reply whatsoever. Although I had requested a meeting with the prosecutor handling the case, I was never contacted. This requested meeting just did not take place.

Prior to the scheduled trial date, I met with the man from the union again. This man stated that if the case goes to trial that David "will get a not guilty because word gets around." I did not know what he was talking about. He told me that the situation probably took me away from my family. Again, I did not know what he was talking about. I was suspecting more and more that the word was that David had had sex with me. I am certain that "the word" clearly exonerated David in the eyes of everyone involved.

Seven days before the end of March, I talked with a colleague at night school. The colleague informed me that "They are going to take you on a journey of fantasies! I have been told he is going to file a counter suit! They think you are just a crazy hysterical woman making up these stories about David!" I reported to my colleague that I was "doing exactly what my principal had informed me to do -- Tell the truth!"

On the last day of March, I again talked with this colleague. He told me that he had talked with the individual who had been distraught and crying. "You were right!" he informed me. "I talked with her. This harassment has been going on for years. The women suck it up, feel bad, and hurt. You are the first one who has stood up to the harassment! There has never been an investigation or anything done before. Nothing has ever been done!"

I was not, however, the first one who had reported the sexual harassment of David. When the other women reported the incident, they were promptly told, "No! Do not give me the details. Go to Employee Assistance." Those other victims obviously reported the harassment. The principal demonstrated his shrewdness in dealing with the situation to keep himself out of the picture. However, I believe that an oral report is an oral report; the principal must follow procedures and report these "heads in the office door" oral reports. Even the report to Employee Assistance is an oral reporting and should be subsequently reported to Personnel, to EEO, to Human Relations, and to the Superintendent. Otherwise, criminal acts are being covered up, perhaps an example of Obstruction of Justice.

My colleague and I continued to talk about the victim going to the principal's superior because she did not trust the principal. "On the other hand, how could she trust him if reports were, indeed, made to him and nothing was ever done about them," I remarked. "Perhaps the teachers were asked to leave the complaint at the "local level" where if they went any further with the complaint they were "all alone! At least that is what I was told! He told me that I had 'to put the complaint in writing unless, of course, you want to keep it at the local level.' I told him that I had no qualms about putting the statements in writing!"

My colleague continued to state, "You are the only one who has ever stood up! The other women either transferred or were transferred!" The colleague elaborated, "The trial is going to be perjury city, and they are going to chop your legs off at the knees!"

Later at a meeting of the faculty to receive an update of the conditions of some of the ill members, two individuals were seated directly in front of me. The one person said to the other, "He says if he does not get a "not guilty" that he is going to appeal it!"

The other individual replied, "Do you want me to do something to help? I could send a postcard or something from a boyfriend!"

At night school one night at a later time in early April, a retired judge acquaintance informed me that David Elder had had a heart attack and was in the hospital. The judge stated, "Don't feel sorry for a fool! He is a fool! He had no business grabbing your breast!"

I questioned, "When did he have a heart attack?"

The friend responded, "Let's see! I believe it was on Thursday, April 2; he collapsed and fell out! He is in the hospital fighting for his life!"

PART XII

When I notified my doctor of David's alleged heart attack, my doctor responded, "He probably had an anxiety attack!"

At school one morning later, when I went to the cafeteria for my doughnut and coffee, the lady security guard stated to her friend, "David says 'they are really going to pay for this!'"

Before the trial date on the criminal charges, my colleague at night school informed me, "Everyone will lie in the trial! There is a major conspiracy brewing against you!"

On the scheduled trial date, David Elder received a nolle prosequi by the State's Attorney's Office. The attorney for David presented a blue postcard as evidence. The insinuation was that the card had come from me; however, I had not had any contact at all with this man, nor had anyone else in my family. Later, the prosecuting attorney told my son that no investigation had taken place concerning the criminal charges. No potential witnesses at the school had been questioned or even called. The state's attorney's office was requested to check the blue postcard for fingerprints to see where it had originated, but nothing was ever done! The requests were unanswered!

PART XIII

In mid-May I met with a member of the Human Relations Department. I was informed that "They said it was participatory!" I did not know and did not understand what "participatory" meant because I had absolutely not had anything to do with this man! I had not gone to lunch, to dinner, to the motel room or any place else with him. I did not have sex of any type with him! Additionally, I did not know who "They" referred to. I believe that certain individuals, perhaps even my principal, including David Elder had proclaimed that David Elder had sex with me. This proclamation by David Elder was his way of getting off with a nolle prosequi. The principal had not followed the sexual harassment procedures earlier, and he wanted to cover-up his mistakes by making me look bad. As the Human Relations representative said, "It is not sexual harassment if you have had sex with him!" When she asked me whether the others had sex with David, I told her I did not know about them and that I knew only about myself. I did not have sex with David Elder, and it was sexual harassment! As a matter of fact, the actions of this man represented stalking, battery, and bribery by intimidation.

During one of the numerous meetings with my principal, he expressed that he just could not understand why I was having so much more difficulty with this situation than "the others!" He said, "Others!" He did not say, "Other one!" I am having so much more difficulty than the others because I am the one who stood up! The others cowered behind the Employee Assistance Program. Additionally, I am having so much more difficulty because nothing was done to this man for his criminal actions. I had received a slap in the face! I did not matter!

When I read the Sexual Harassment Policy, I do not believe that even Employee Assistance can hide the incidents of sexual harassment. I believe that the counselors here are obligated and must report the complaint to the Department of Personnel, the EEO, Human Relations, and to the Superintendent. As I review the written policy, I see no other choice! The complaint can be either written or oral - regardless of what it is -- it must be reported and proceed through the proper channels. Otherwise, these individuals are obstructing justice and covering up known criminal acts. Perhaps the acts of certain individuals represents tampering with witnesses and asking them to commit perjury.

Throughout the remainder of the school year, I had numerous meetings with my principal and resource teacher! Some meetings were scheduled and then canceled at the last minute. At one of the meetings the principal stated that he thought it was sad that I had informed him that my work was my life. "And what if they take your job away from you? What will you do then?"

The concerns at this time were my attendance, parent calls, and prompt feedback. Although many teachers use the thirteen days of sick leave yearly, I seldom missed days of school. The fact that I needed a day here and there to regroup was seen as an attendance problem. Additionally, the principal talked about parent calls and receiving more calls than previously. He would not tell me whom the calls were from. I reminded the principal that because of the difficulty concentrating that what I could originally do in forty-five minutes now required five times as long. Later, I discovered that I could have received an assistant from ADA to help me. However, my requests even for help from the assistants within the department went unanswered. The other department teachers received the help, but I did not. My resource teacher repeatedly informed me, "We need you in the classroom. We cannot replace you!"

Although I returned calls to the parents of my students, I would get off the telephone with a parent, pass by my supervisor's office to hear, "Mrs.----just called and said you are not returning her calls!" I would reply that "I just got off the telephone with that parent. And I talked with that parent three times last week!"

I worked with my students. I provided accommodations and made adaptations. I wanted them to succeed and work to their fullest potential. It seemed as if I could never do enough to please anyone!

PART XIV

That summer I taught summer school! For more than seven days I successfully managed a class of fifty-two students in a writing class. The students were cooperative and wonderful, all fifty-two of them. They worked diligently and everyone got along very well together. Then when I requested the pay of two teachers or per diem, the three classes of ninety students were divided alphabetically. I could not believe that the students were being displaced to strange environments. Recently I saw one of the students at his place of employment. He asked me to tell him again the formula to use for beginning a composition.

On or about August 17, 1998, a colleague called me at home to tell me that the assistant principal who had witnessed my reporting of the criminal actions of David Elder had died. She was in her early fifties and died unexpectedly. She would have made an excellent witness! She knew the truth!

PART XV

In September when I returned to school, one of the resource teachers in another department told me something that he "found extremely funny" and thought that I "would find it funny also!" It seems that when the assistant principal was scheduling the classes, he had accidentally or purposely placed me with a class to teach anatomy. A complete roster of students had been returned from Data Processing for me. Personally, I could not see anything funny about this situation at all!

Finally, because of the extreme agonizing over the "word gets around" phrase, I went to the Employee Assistance Program at the suggestion of someone in the Office of Personnel who believed that I would find "it very, very beneficial!" As I worked with this consultant, I was counseled that I was suffering from being traumatized on the job.

My doctor kept telling me that I had to be strong. I had always prided myself on being strong and being able to put "absolutely anything" behind me regardless of what it might be. I kept working! My doctor and the EAP lady told me that work was therapeutic! I really cared about the students and wanted them to perform well in the State Functional Testing. I had the best record of any teacher in my department with the results of one of the tests. Even during a year when many students statewide failed the test, I had only three failures. I knew how to provide the instruction so that the students could be successful!

As time passed, I was not feeling any better! I had extreme difficulty accepting that I had been sexually harassed, assaulted/battered, threatened and intimidated and given ultimatums by David Elder, and as I saw it, nothing had been done to the perpetrator. Then the Superintendent of Schools finally after much prodding wrote me a letter stating that he hoped that I "would report other acts of sexual harassment!" This letter and lack of immediate relief totally devastated and destroyed me. I could not believe that so many women had been victims of David Elder, and nothing had ever been done to him. I felt as if I wanted to run and hide from the hurt and agony! I could find no place to run and no place to hide! I searched for truth! But it seemed that truth eluded me for those others were too afraid to tell the truth. The very county that I had given so much of myself to in educating the young had deserted me! No one cared! I was, indeed, alone!

The attorneys that I consulted for advice kept using this same expression of "Word gets around!" I did not know what word was getting around! Then I met with another attorney. This attorney told me that she talked with the victim whom I had talked with in the media center, and she denied what she had told me. This victim stated that the principal was a perfectly wonderful man and that her complaint was the result of two things that had been said to her in the hallway!" The attorney explained that this complainant even denied putting her statements in writing.

I do not believe that two statements would have resulted in being sexually harassed. It was quite obvious that someone had gotten to her to get her to change her statements. My reaction at this time was to laugh! I could not believe that someone had actually succeeded in getting her to change her statements. The attorney told me that this victim "does not want you to call her and harass her!" I would absolutely never harass her or anyone else. Like me, she had endured enough at the hands of the perpetrator of the crimes.

When another attorney entered the office, he said something to this attorney that I did not hear. "How do you know that?" the one attorney said. The reply was, "Because word gets around! I am going to have to call Bartholomew. Get me Bartholomew's number!" There was that same phrase again of "Word gets around!" The attorney called Bartholomew, whoever he was! After the call to Bartholomew, the attorney returned to the office and requested to see some printed material that I had in an envelope!

I communicated to these two attorneys that "the school system knew of the sexual harassment of the numerous people at the school. They knew!" I mentioned Dana Dewflower, Fatima Rogers, Regina Finkel, and Hattie Lock. The one attorney said, "I have one of those!" He admitted taking one of the cases to represent one of the women mentioned. I wondered if perhaps these two attorneys were interested only in having certain information that I possessed that would provide help for "one of those!"

As I dressed for work the next day, I was elated. I was returning to a place that I loved very much, the classroom. I loved teaching! It was my life, my identity! I was a teacher! The next morning eleven days before the end of October when I returned to school, I went to my classroom where I began placing the day's objectives on the chalkboard! Suddenly my resource teacher entered the room. I walked towards her.

In a very gruff tone of voice, my supervisor demanded, "Here, call this parent. She called yesterday and said that she has left three or four messages for you, and you have not returned her calls. Call her before she calls the principal. She is very upset!"

My resource teacher had thrust her hand out forcefully in the same manner and at the same place that David Elder had grabbed my breast previously. I looked at the note that the resource teacher thrust out at me. It was the parent that I had talked with two or three times the previous week. Additionally, I had worked with her child and permitted him to redo an assignment because he had not followed the instructions and had not completed the assignment. I had faxed information to this parent so that her child could complete the work. I believed that I had done everything possible to provide accommodations and to satisfy this parent.

During the first period I was showing a film on one of the reading selections. It was a good thing because the tears started running down my face. I could not believe what was happening to me because I never cry! I get stuffed up and cannot breathe! I was glad the class was watching the film because I could hide the tears. I knew one thing. I had to get out of this extremely hostile environment. Because I had the next period planning period, I stayed in the classroom until the end of the period. At the end of the period, I tried to call the lady at Employee Assistance. I could not get in touch with her. I tried to call my doctor! I could not get in touch with him! I began crying uncontrollably as I walked through the hallways to the main office. The principal's secretary was not available! I continued through the main office to the attendance office and instructed the attendance secretary to "Please cover my classes because I have to get out of here! I cannot take anymore. Why do they have to punish me because I am the one who had the courage to stand up and say enough is enough!" I kept repeating myself! I had completely lost my composure! I was sobbing uncontrollably! The assistant principal wanted to call my son, but I wanted to pull myself together! "I just want to go see my doctor!" I sobbed. "He is my friend!"

In addition to being the "proverbial bad boy/girl" who was always in the principal's office the previous year, I was again going to be the victim of severe harassment and badgering by my superiors! The harassment would not let up. The principal and resource teacher seemed to be harassing me because "if she does not perform this year, we will get rid of her too because she can sue us!" Both my resource teacher and the principal knew fully well of the sexual harassment problems of David Elder. My two superiors wanted to make sure that I did not sue them by making the environment unsafe and hostile.

On this day I left the school when my classes had been covered. On the drive down the highway, I picked up my telephone and placed a call to the parent that I allegedly had not called. When I contacted her, she seemed surprised that I had called, but I explained that my resource teacher had said that she was upset and that I had allegedly not returned her call. This parent told me that her son was all that she had. She said that she gets very impatient when she cannot get in touch immediately. She said, "I almost go out of my mind!" I calmed her down! After talking with this parent, I left my resource teacher a message on the voice mail to inform her that I had called the parent.

I carefully drove to my doctor's office. I was again crying uncontrollably! I waited for a few moments until he could see me. "I knew this would happen," the doctor told me. "It happens to everyone. That is why I told you that you had to be strong!" During the numerous sessions that week with my doctor, I learned what had happened to me. I was so ashamed of losing control. When my resource teacher entered the classroom that morning and thrust her hand out to me, the resource teacher became David Elder entering my room and grabbing my breast. The resource teacher's hand was thrust out about the same place as David Elder's on that horrible day when David assaulted/battered me.

Later, the counselor at Employee Assistance informed me, "You can learn to cope and to accept!"

PART XVI

During the week that I was out of school, I called Dana Dewflower to question when and to whom she had reported the sexual harassment of David Elder. Dana Dewflower denied reporting the sexual harassment. "I went to Employee Assistance." Dana stated that she had once been chased around the classroom by a sexual harasser. "When I reported it, a letter was placed in my personnel file, and I had difficulty getting another job. The principals considered me a troublemaker and would not hire me."

Six days later, I returned to school and to work because the students needed to be prepared for taking the Writing Test. I wanted the students to do well. Additionally, I knew that substitutes were difficult to obtain. The principal had informed me when I called him on Sunday night that "We'll talk at school!"

When I returned to work, I met with the principal and my resource teacher. The principal asked, "Karen, why do you push yourself so hard?"

I replied, "Because I need the money!" I again advised these two individuals that I could use help with the paper checking! They promised to take care of the situation, but no help whatsoever was forthcoming. These two were fully aware that ADA would have provided the funds for an aide in the classroom at this time, but I did not know. My doctor had stated that I was disabled, but I was not given the help provided by ADA.

I talked with the teacher who had informed me about Dana Dewflower and told her that Dana had denied reporting the sexual harassment of David Elder. This teacher replied, "Well, she reported it to me! I heard the comments!"

Then I questioned, "Did you report it?"

The teacher thought for a moment and answered, "You have to be awfully careful in reporting things second handed!" I remembered seeing this teacher sitting outside the principal's office on numerous occasions just as I had. I got the picture. This teacher said, "I went to the union, and they helped me quite a lot." Then she stated, "At least one good thing came out of this! You got rid of him for the rest of us!"

Because I kept hearing the phrase, Word Gets Around, I decided to call the attorney who had used the phrase the week before. I planned to ask a direct question. When I called, I questioned, "I have heard the phrase of 'word gets around' so frequently that I want to know the meaning! Does it mean that the word is that I have had sex with David Elder?"

The attorney replied, "Those are David's allegations, and the county believes him! They think you are unstable! My advice to you is to leave it alone because it could affect your job! Besides anyone who knows you knows that you did not have sex with him!"

I did not have sex with that man! Neither did I consider myself unstable. Recently, my contact at Employee Assistance defined unstable among other things as constant yelling in the classroom, crying frequently in the classroom, and being absent frequently. These descriptions just do not describe me. I had excellent classroom management skills. My students from night school can attest to that fact!

Subsequently, I wrote a letter to a member of personnel. I was agonizing and suffering as a result of the word gets around that I had sex with that man! I was not about to "leave it alone" as the attorney had advised. I did not have sex with him, and I would not accept the allegations from anyone that I had! It seemed to me that telling the truth was the best thing for anyone to do! I would continue to tell the truth! I was not the first teacher to report this man! I was not the first teacher or the only teacher who had been sexually harassed by him while he was at this school!

I believe that the principal did not implement the Sexual Harassment Policy which states that certain procedures must be followed. When a teacher merely placed her head in his office door and said, "Mr. Principal, that man is sexually harassing me," the principal must report the comments to Department of Personnel Services and subsequently to EEO, the Human Relations, and the Superintendent. This statement would constitute a verbal complaint. The principal could not according to the written procedures "leave it at the local level!" Obviously, he had chosen instead, as another former staff member explained about reports of sexual harassment, to do nothing. "He did not do anything! He just laughed at us!" The principal created a very hostile work environment again and again and again and again and again and again and again by not respecting the safety of his female employees and by failing to take action and to follow procedures.

I fully understand Regina Finkel's comment or question to my colleague at night school. "Why have complaints been reported and there was never an investigation or anything until Karen Gambini's complaint. Nothing was done!" I believe that the principal convinced the reporting victims to go to Employee Assistance and/or to "leave it at the local level" where no further action was taken. According to the written Sexual Harassment Policy, I believe that the "local level" does not exist, for a complaint cannot be left "at the local level!"

PART XVII

One day the Security Team Leader was standing on the concrete patio in front of the school. He had his two-way radio in his hand. As he stood there, he yelled across the driveways to the principal who was walking towards the front of the school, "HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING?"

The principal yelled in reply, "HE IS GOING TO BE A RICH MAN! THREE MILLION DOLLARS!"

One day when one of my classes was in the Computer Lab, the principal came into the Computer Lab with a lady and spent a few minutes during the period. Later one of my assistants asked me the identity of the visitor. I told her that I did not know! The next day this assistant told me that the lady was from the County Executive's office. When I questioned her as to how she knew, she said, "I went to the principal and asked him!"

In a later meeting with the principal, I was questioned whether David Elder was still harassing me. I answered, "I do not know because I had my telephone number changed."

The principal replied, "We are concerned about you, and obviously someone else is too!"

My resource teacher seemed to have taken over with the harassment and badgering where my principal left off. It seemed that she was going to harass me henceforth rather than to provide ADA help.

In early December of the year, I was waiting outside my classroom for the fifth period to end and sixth period to begin. As the principal exited the classroom across the hallway, I waved my hand at him. The principal addressed me, "Dr. Gambini!"

"What did you call me?" I asked.

"I called you, Dr. Gambini!"

I repeated questioningly, "Dr. Gambini?" I did not understand and had not the slightest idea of the meaning of the comment by the principal. I decided to address the issue on the First Class. I inquired as to whether I could earn the money of a doctor since I had been addressed as such by him. The principal did not respond to my inquiry.

I was being harassed by my resource teacher so much that one day I returned to school to have the guidance office page me. I had been out of school ill because the harassment was taking its toll upon my physical health. I had a sore throat and was getting bronchitis, a condition which could cause problems for my asthma. When I called the guidance office and answered the page, the director informed me that I had a parent waiting for a conference. "A conference?" I replied. "With whom?"

The director replied, "With Jonathan's mother!"

I thoughtfully stated, "I did not know!"

The director responded, "Well, I left you a message!"

I announced, "I did not receive any messages from you!"

I went to the guidance office where the resource teacher and the director were meeting with Jonathan's mother. I had spent numerous hours on the telephone with her. I apologized and stated that I did not know about the conference.

My resource teacher gruffly responded, "We'll talk about that later!"

I had taken some of Jonathan's work with me to show the parent that Jonathan was not completing his work. I explained that he needed to complete his work in the computer lab. The parent said that she wanted to see Jonathan's marked papers. Because I had not been aware of the conference, I had not gone prepared with papers from his folder. I did the next best thing and attempted to show the parent that the student was not completing his work. He was not meeting the deadlines! I did provide accommodations and adaptations for him.

The parent and I decided to keep in touch via the computer. Although we had tried previously, I had not gotten the messages from her. I was keeping in contact with her on the telephone, but regardless of what I did, I could not satisfy the parent.

After the parent and I set up the computer system to keep in touch via the Internet, the resource teacher told the mother to "call Ms Gambini if there are any problems." Then the resource teacher stated, "No, call me!"

The next morning I received a message on First Class from my resource teacher. The message began with something like: As a result of the conference yesterday, a number of concerns... I copied and kept and answered the First Class message. The handwriting "was on the wall" so to speak. I believed the resource teacher would now harass and badger me! I was right! I kept returning to school with the harassment of the principal "Because I need the money!" He could not get rid of me! Now the resource teacher would try!

One of the assistants in the department counseled me, "Karen, do not let them run you out of here. You do a really good job!"

Shaking my head, I mumbled. "Well, you never know! They think that I am a whistle blower because I reported David Elder for sexual harassment, sexual assault/battery, threats, intimidations and ultimatums. And the principal has several times questioned 'What if they take your job?'"

PART XVIII

I really cared about the students passing the Writing Test. I struggled to continue working in my beloved profession. Because I was very fragile from the sexual harassment, sexual assault/battery, threats, ultimatums, and intimidations plus the continued harassment and badgering from my superiors, I could take no more. I was tossing, turning, and sleepless! I could not rest and could not sleep! I was getting nauseated and ill. Frequently, I experienced diarrhea. I had headaches. My heart continued to skip beats! The instances of perfume on the seats of the student desks in my classroom occurred almost on a daily basis. The perfume met me each day as I entered my classroom early in the morning. Wheezing, I cleaned the perfume from the seats of the desks. I believed that my life was in grave danger!

To stop the wheezing and to clear my breathing passages, I had to use my inhaler three times. The frequent use made me tremble and appear stoned or high! One morning my resource teacher told a member of the department to "Go look at her eyes!" The colleague came to my door and looked at my eyes. They did not have sense enough to know that the appearance of the eyes was the direct result of the too frequent use of my inhaler as result of the perfumes in the classroom.

One week before the Christmas break, I left school and became very ill. I did not return to school the next day. I have been on Personal Illness leave since that day! Even the thoughts of returning to school result in nausea and vomiting. I fear absolute and complete failure and breakdown from which I may never return. My spirit has been broken and my confidence shattered. I believe that I have forever lost my identity as a teacher, my beloved profession and career. Sometimes, however, I hear an echo, the beating of my life as a teacher. I want to return to the classroom, but I have not been permitted to do so! As my doctor states, "You have to pay!"

I did the unthinkable! I reported the criminal actions of a black man! Because I am a woman, I must suffer and lose everything that I have worked for: my excellent credit rating, my job, my home, my life insurance policy, my automobiles, my furniture, my clothing, my personal possessions, my savings--everything. Had I chosen instead to do physical injury to this black man, I may have gone to prison for awhile! At the very least, when I had served my time, I could have participated in the Shelter Plus Program. Or perhaps I could have denied the charges as he did! I could have filed civil litigation against him for making such allegations! But would it have worked for me? I think not! The Shelter Plus Program provides five years of assistance including a home to those who have committed crimes. They are not homeless as I am going to be! When the five years' assistance expires, the participants just commit another crime, go to prison for awhile, and get released to participate again in the Shelter Plus Program!

I have gotten ahead of myself! I want to tell you what my life has been like since I left school before the Christmas break. I must tell you of the retaliation of the various county agencies since I requested long term sick leave. I had accumulated more than one year's leave. Additionally, I had become a member of the Sick Leave Bank years before when one of my colleagues died from cancer within three months' time.

PART XIX

At the time that I left school in December, I planned to return to work at the end of the Christmas vacation. Then I planned to return at the end of the first semester. Then I planned to return to work within sixty days. One of the assistant principals told me to take the sixty days. "If you need more time, you can have it!" I tried to help the substitute with the classes while I was off on leave! But it seemed as if my life were on a merry-go-round. My life has been there since I reported the actions of David Elder! The merry-go-round does not stop, but continues to go faster and faster!

Near the end of the sixty days, I stated to my son that "I am going back to work!" Near the holidays in March, a member of the personnel office sent me a letter to report to their doctor! When I questioned the request, I was told that in order to have my semester's leave granted that I would have to see their doctor! "Then," personnel said, "We will consider the options!" I asked what the options were and "resignation" was quoted as one of them!

I said, "Oh, so you are going to force me out?"

"We are not going to force you to do anything!" he replied.

I contacted the union and was told that the county was within their right to request that I see their doctor. Thus, I had no choice! I would meet with their doctor who would write exactly what the county wanted him to write in his report! Near the end of March, I met with their doctor where I sat and sobbed for two hours reliving that horrible nightmare of the sexual harassment, assault/battery, threats, ultimatums, and intimidations with subsequent harassment and badgering by my superiors. When I returned home, I was literally ill with nausea and vomiting for three days! I could not believe my reaction! It was at this time that I knew what an anxiety attack was! I had never experienced the likes of such before!

The visit to their doctor was a very agonizing one for me. It seemed that I had to begin over again with the healing process! Then near the end of April, I finally received my personnel action notice that the extended leave had been approved. I would, according to the notice, be paid through June 18, 1999, at which time a notation was made to report to Insurance and Retirement to purchase retirement. I did not understand the meaning; however, because a notation had been written at the bottom of the personnel action notice that I would return to my former school in the 1999-2000 school year, I believed that I could return. I had been trying very hard to forget and to place everything behind me. I was having extreme difficulty doing so.

I kept having a recurring dream. I was on a bridge near my mother's home. The bridge had been reduced to a plank. I was down on my hands and knees crawling. As I looked down at the water, it was getting higher and higher. David Elder was at one side of the bridge blocking my exit. The principal of the school was at the other side. As I attempted to exit the bridge while crawling, the principal laughing tramped on my fingers. When I tried the other side, David Elder was laughing and tramped my fingers. In the meantime the water rose higher and higher. When I took the only escape into the water beneath, I awakened with a jerk. Tears streamed down my face! My heart was pounding! Over and over, I awakened after this same horrible nightmare!

PART XX

When I received the Personnel Action Notice, I called the Department of Personnel to see whether my position was still available at my school. I was passed from one individual to another one and then told to contact the principal. I called the school and left a message inquiring whether my position was open. No one responded to my inquiry. I wrote the principal a letter stating that I had always supported him. I told him what the personnel action notice stated and asked about my continuing position at my school. I received absolutely no reply whatsoever. I was in a quandary!

Because I had taught summer school for fourteen consecutive years and needed the compensation, I filled in the necessary forms for a position. This application was due on May 1, 1999. Additionally, I believed that summer school would be a good way to work back into the classroom. Although I had difficulty concentrating, I could succeed because of the shorter day. I realized that all my time would be taken up with school work, but I still wanted to do summer school. In my fourteen years of teaching

summer school, I had never missed one day of teaching!

The consultant at Employee Assistance had informed me to "Consider your options." One option was to file civil litigation. Another option was to file for accidental disability. She told me that there is always a choice. I wanted to return to work! Teaching was my life! It was my identity! I loved the interactions with the students and was proud of their successes.

Because of the experiences with their doctor and the fact that it was so traumatic, I finally went to see a counselor at Insurance and Retirement to check out the accidental disability. The counselor met with my son and me in mid-May. She told me that accidental disability would be decided on the average of my three top years' salary. "I just checked and yours is $--,---. Then, you can teach night school and summer school." She further discussed that this avenue might be good for me because it relieves some of the stresses. I was not certain that I wanted to go this route, but I had received the information from her.

On or about the first of June, I received a contract to teach summer school. I promptly signed the contract and returned it! I fully expected to return to my beloved profession! I was very happy and elated. I was singing and skipping as I went about my tasks in the back yard. However, two days before the end of June, I received a telephone call from the Department of Personnel Services. Because the assignments were being worked on for the fall session, they "wanted to know what we have!" They told me to go see their doctor again for my return for the 1999-00 school year. They said, "He can see you within the hour! He is going on vacation. Give him a call!" My doctor and I had been evaluating my strength at the end of each month to see whether I was still so fragile! Nothing at all was mentioned about summer school. I believed that because the personnel action notice stated June 18, 1999, as the end payment date that I could just continue with my life as if nothing had happened. I was just as mistaken this time as I was on January 13, 1997, when David Elder had said that he would not bother me again.

Remembering the experience and trauma of the first meeting with their doctor, I immediately became nauseated and ill with the thought of having to relive that horrible nightmare again. My doctor was on vacation and could not provide the necessary support! I called their doctor and told him that I could not meet him on such short notice without my own doctor being in town. I scheduled an appointment with him for mid-July.

I contacted the summer school office and informed the director that I could not teach summer school because I had experienced a worsening of my condition as a direct result of the tactics of the school system. I requested 160 hours of sick leave pay so that I would have the summer to get well! On July 2, 1999, the director left me a message on the tape of the answering machine that he had approved the 160 hours and that I "would have an income for the summer!" He told me to "Get well!" I set my mind to getting well.

In mid-July I met with their doctor again. I cried as I relived the retaliation by my superiors and the county; however, I did not get sick for three days. When I asked their doctor if he thought that I could return to work, he replied, "You would have a very difficult time if you returned!"

PART XXI

Three days later I was outside in the back yard. My son told me that I had received a message from someone in the Department of Personnel. When I was finished with my chores and entered the house, I listened to the second message on the answering machine from this individual. He threatened me that "If you do not get back to me, I will consider that as your resignation!" I always returned my calls. I immediately returned his call! I was told to meet the next day in his office at 2:00 P.M. where about six people including himself would meet to consider the options! I had not the slightest idea what he was talking about, but agreed to meet with him. I most certainly did not like being threatened. This time made the third or fourth time that my job had been threatened. I believe that the personnel member knew that I was very vulnerable after the meeting three days previously with their doctor. To use an old proverb, "I was ripe for the picking!"

My son escorted me to the Department of Personnel office and to the meeting. He would sit in on any meeting with me. When I entered the office, I noticed my resource teacher's name on the roster. She had signed in at 1:15 P.M. Additionally, I observed the assistant principal's signature and could not tell whether it was 11:15 or 1:15 P.M. The time was smeared! The two had signed their reason for their presence as "Files!"

After waiting several minutes, my son and I were ushered into the personnel worker's office. "It is going to be a tight squeeze!" he commented. He had told me there would be six people present. My son and I sat down, but only the Director of Employment Operations, the ADA specialist (I learned later), and the coordinator from Insurance & Retirement that we had met in May, and the man who had threatened me the day before were present. I do not know what happened to the other two individuals.

During the meeting the man who had called me turned to me and demanded, "Why are you at this meeting?" I told him that he had said it was an "Options Meeting!" The truth of the matter was that he had threatened me and that is why I was there! He asked me, "How long before you can afford to retire?" I told him that I had "planned to live to be 100, work to be 85, and not retire for quite some time!" Because of the doctor's meeting, I was very vulnerable! The threatening individual told me that he would approve one school year's leave with pay "to get well" if I submitted my leave request! "When your own leave is used up, you will use Sick Leave Bank!" he told me. "The only thing you have to remember is to submit the applications every thirty days to the Sick Leave Bank!"

At this point I decided to submit my portfolio of Accidental Disability! I had worked on the information when I had not received a reply from my principal. I had it ready to submit, but was not certain that I wanted to go this route. I thought I wanted to return to work! It seems that others had different ideas!

The next ten days before the end of July, my son and I again met with the lady in Insurance & Retirement. When we met with her this time, she denied telling us that the accidental disability would be decided on the average of the three top years' salary. This time she told us it was base salary, excluding night school and summer school. She denied even telling us the other figure. But my notes reflect exactly what she had said! We had both heard! Because the State uses the salary figures submitted by the employer, the teacher's retirement amount is grossly affected. Obviously, the school system inaccurately reports the teachers' salaries.

On this day at this time after being badgered by the doctor and the man from the day before, I submitted the complete application for accidental disability to the lady at Insurance & Retirement. I had been told by her that "You can withdraw your application for disability anytime you want!"

PART XXII

Because I had experienced short term memory loss, I worked on my own mental exercises to make sure that I could remember. Originally, I had to replay the weather three times to remember the temperature, the humidity, and the wind velocity! I was proud when I had forced myself to do this simple chore! I could remember all three numbers without having to replay the forecast. Additionally, I could remember the dew point or heat index if I thought of another level in my mind. I was again looking forward to my return to school in the fall! I continued to do mental exercises which included concentration! I had to learn to concentrate all over again! To this date, I am still improving my concentration! I have discovered that I can work for approximately two hours and then my mind becomes very befuddled! I have to let it rest! Mental chores have to be done in smaller time segments!

I believed that I had left the harassment and badgering behind at the school; however, I did not realize that "My Experience In Hell" were just beginning!

PART XXIII

On the first day of August, I could not believe that I had not received my first summer school check. Thus, I decided to contact the payroll office to see when checks would be mailed. I was told that the first check had been paid on July 23, 1999. I had not received a check! I called the school to see if the necessary work had been submitted! I called the summer school office to check with the director! I wrote him a letter inquiring about my check. It seems that the Department of Personnel Services had blocked my name on the computer. Even though individuals tried and tried and tried, they could not get the computer to accept my name!

I had budgeted my money with the summer school income. I finally sent a letter to the Superintendent of Schools and to the Director of Personnel Services requesting help in receiving my approved sick leave pay! The Superintendent sent my requests to the Director of Personnel Services. The director continued to deny my requests for sick leave pay for the summer. She used every excuse imaginable to continue to deny my paid leave! Finally, I asked my union to file a grievance for my summer school pay. The individual that I was working with did not want to file the grievance; however, it was finally filed.

I must admit that I was so stupid that I notified the school for the first four days of school that I was still on sick leave. I did not want them to charge that I was not doing what I was supposed to do! I had called and asked whether I was expected to return because I had received the customary "Welcome Back" letter from the school. The Director of Placements told me that "it would not be wise for me to report to school on the first day." Thus, I am still waiting to return to my beloved profession.

The Level I appeal was denied by the Director of Personnel Services on or about the twenty-seventh of August. I asked for a Level II appeal! Finally, that appeal was scheduled. After about a month, the Level II Hearing was scheduled for September 24. It took place before two individuals. A man scheduled to teach summer school had allegedly had a heart attack a day or so before the beginning of summer school. His request for summer school sick leave pay was granted. He is a man! I am a woman! He received pay! I did not and have not to date! I see absolutely no difference in the situations except that my condition had been worsened from the continuous actions of the county school system. My condition is and was the direct result of an injury on the job and job related injuries. I have no idea what caused the man's heart attack!

When I requested a Level III Hearing, the individual at the union did not want to proceed! "I have spent hours talking with the director! It is hopeless!" However, I left another individual at the union a message that if "the union does not want to represent me, I will represent myself at the hearings"! Additionally, I stated that I could always request a judicial decision before the County Circuit Court. Finally, I received a hard copy of the denial from the second Level along with a request for a Level III Hearing. Additionally, I had applied for night school sick leave pay and submitted the necessary leave requests. I have not received a reply! Thus, I have requested that my union file more grievances. (1) I want to be made whole. (2) I want my night school pay! (3) I want my own accumulated sick leave reinstated. According to the contract my accumulated sick leave must be reinstated because of the on-the-job injury and job related injuries. My injuries occurred on the job! Thus, I must have my accumulated sick leave reinstated! The days missed are a direct result of on-the-job injury and job related injuries.

Of course, my requests for other grievances have been denied! I am just a little white woman who has to pay and suffer and agonize because she reported the criminal actions of a black man! I have to become homeless and walk the streets with my bundle slung over my back and sleep in the woods. I have to be made an example of because all of those other women must learn that "White women do not report a black man for sexual harassment and criminal acts!" No! I am not a racist! Some of my best friends are black!

Because of the warning by the individual in the Department of Personnel Services who told me that I would have to remember to apply for the Sick Leave Bank, I sent a form in on or about the ninth of September. The days are granted in thirty day increments. I was informed by Insurance & Retirement and by the Department of Personnel Services that "We see no problem in using the Sick Leave Bank!" On September 24, 1999, an individual in the union called and asked for specific information on my application for use of the Sick Leave Bank. Thus, I know she had received the form. If she needed more information, she should have asked for it then! I submitted two more forms, on November 11, and November 17. The Department of Personnel Services had approved the leave with pay through June of 2000.

My own paid accumulated sick leave expired on November 19, 1999. Because I had not heard from the union about the Grievances and the Sick Leave Bank Use, I contacted the individual that I had been working with! She had originally told me that my Summer School Pay Grievance "had just flown away!" I persisted!

Finally, I received word that my request for use of the Sick Leave Bank had been denied! When I called the Chairman of the Committee, I was told that "your condition does not meet the guidelines! Can't you retire?" I will receive one more check! Then I have no money! I will be homeless! I will literally be out on the streets! I will lose my homes, my automobiles, my furniture, my belongings! I will lose absolutely everything that I have worked so hard for and accumulated! I have no place to go! I do not know what I am going to do!

Several days later I appealed the decision of the Sick Leave Bank. I received a thirty days' grant from the bank; however, because of the cut pay and the fact that I have no savings, I will face homelessness in just a short while anyway. Now, I must question whether this situation is just! I reported the criminal actions of a black man! Now I must pay! I must suffer! I must lose everything!

When I received my pay check just recently, three days' pay had been deducted! According to the sick leave bank rules, the individual's own sick leave is used so that the three days' pay does not have to be missed. My check stub states that I still have leave left. I do not understand the reduction in salary! I see this deducting of three days' pay as another way to make me suffer. What a horrible way to spend Christmas without money! Although I still hear the echo of the classroom and the voices therein, I do not know how I can free my mind sufficiently to heal when I have to worry about being homeless! But "You have to pay!" states my doctor!

My second request for a thirty day grant has been denied! I still have 330 days of a lifetime use that can be used; however, the squeeze and retaliation are severe! I must advise teachers to use their own sick leave because when they really need it the leave will not be granted!

But what about the black man? Does he have to pay for his actions against me and against all those other women? I bet he is not facing homelessness as I am. I do not know where to turn! I do not know what to do! I should have used "street justice" and the beating of the bat against this man's head to stop the heinous acts! At least, I would have had a home! At least, my actions would have been provoked by his inability and refusal to accept "NO!" As for my principal, I do not believe that his mother would be too happy with him for his adversity to women. (I heard the other day that the principal makes the decision as to whether the Sick Leave Bank grant is approved! Now is not that just the pits?)

In my back yard lies a path of stones. I have walked back and forth upon those stones again and again, day after day. I have thought and thought! I have questioned where I could have reported this man's heinous crimes in order to have escaped the horrific retaliation! I finally thought momentarily that I could have gone directly to the Office of Personnel. But regardless of where I would have gone, I truly believe that the outcome would have been the same! White women just do not report black men! In trying so very hard not to be racist, the county actually demonstrates racism! Its procedures and actions are truly discriminatory!

My life has been on a merry-go-round since the day I reported David Elder! The merry-go-round speeds faster and faster. That was my fatal mistake! I should never have reported David! I should have, instead, used the ball bat to bring the situation to a final closure! That is my message to all you women out there! Do not report it! Take care of the problem yourself! If he does not take "NO" for an answer, make him! Put him in the hospital! But I doubt that even that would have stopped the animalistic actions of David Elder! He is aggressive and takes and gets what he wants! He did not get sex from me! But my life is miserable!

If I were black and all those other victims were black as in the FED EX civil suit, I would have all kinds of attorneys, white and black clamoring to my door to help me! A civil litigation would be filed by them against the school system, the Board of Education, and the County Government for millions and millions of dollars because of the gross negligence for not taking care of the problem with the first complaint years previously!

As Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. stated in a recent gift, "Montgomery County was so forthcoming" in giving the money. I have not heard the clamor of attorneys, either black or white! The pay-off lies with the black man, not the white! That is why I stated in the beginning that "In reality, I question whether it is the black man's world!" That is the way I see it!

WASH - Women Against Sexual Harassment. I am forming this non-profit organization to help women who need help with sexual harassment! I am requesting donations be sent to this organization at WASH, P O Box 1303, Beltsville, MD 20704.

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