A male secondary school counsellor has been consulting with an adolescence girl who has been having issues at home and is believed to be mildly depressed. In turn these issues are interfering with her relationships, concentration and work ethic at school. This girl has been bragging about the new ‘hot’ counsellor and the fact that he has touched her a few times on the shoulder and on a few occasions hugs were exchanged.
Many students have over heard these discussions and on one occasion another teacher overheard a few students passing judgements on the hugs. The teacher decided to make a mental note of this and talk to the girl in question when she next saw her, as she knew who she was. When approaching the young girl about the situation, she hesitated to respond, but, after a push the girl suggested the hug meant nothing. She said it was more of a thank you for the help and time which the counsellor made for her.
Do I (the teacher) think this is an issue because it is a male counsellor? If it occurred with a female counsellor would the same acts be frowned upon? Should I take matters further? Or is this just an act of care and kindness or is the young girl is attention seeking, and should be given more guidance?
http://www.nzac.org.nz/viewobj.cfm/nzac_code_of_ethics_july_2012.pdf?file_name=nzac_code_of_ethics_july_2012.pdf&objID=27&f=true
It is proposed that the teacher should express her concern to higher authority for investigation.