Story Archive

Blame the Victim

Tara Yvonne Stumph, 36, a teacher at Arroyo Grande (Calif.) High School, was charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor counts of unlawful sex and child molestation after she engaged in a year-long sexual affair with a 16-year-old student. She pleaded guilty to one felony in a plea bargain that resulted in the other charges being dropped. In exchange, she’ll serve just 90 days in jail, and not have to register as a sex offender. Her teacher’s license has been revoked, and the judge in the case ordered Stumph to not go near any middle- or high schools for the four years of probation after her jail term. The boy’s family was apparently disappointed in the slap on the hand: they have sued Stumph, the school district, and several school officials, alleging that Stumph had victimized another boy previously, and that case was swept under the rug, allowing her to victimize their child. In response, Stumph has sued her victim, claiming he “defamed” her, which damaged her reputation and career. (RC/San Luis Obispo Tribune) ...She has a reputation that can be tarnished?