Girls Preparatory School investigating decades-old sexual abuse allegations

Officials at Girls Preparatory School are investigating allegations that a former teacher sexually abused a student during their time at the school decades ago.

The teacher, whose identity was not revealed, was employed at the all-girls private school from 1950 to 1980 and is now deceased, according to an email sent Thursday by school administrators to the GPS community.

The school has hired third-party investigator Laura Kirschstein of T&M USA LLC to conduct a review, the email said. Among other things, The New York-based security and investigations consulting firm specializes in sexual misconduct investigations.

"Ms. Kirschstein brings to this process extensive experience in independent school investigations, and she stands ready to listen with compassion, respect, and discretion," the email said.

The school learned of the allegations after a graduate contacted GPS saying she had been subjected to sexual abuse.

In response to a call seeking further information about the allegations and when the school learned of them.

"We are deeply distressed to learn about this alumna's experience," the email said. "We ask any alumna who may have experienced sexual abuse by a GPS employee to contact our investigator."

The school's director of communications, Pamela T. Hammonds, said in a statement in response to questions that the school is not releasing any additional information "out of respect for the privacy of our alumna and out of respect for the integrity of the investigation."

Kirschstein can be reached at GirlsPreparatorySchool@tmusallc.com or by calling 646-445-7542.

In April 2018, a similar situation arose at the McCallie School. Allegations surfaced that a former teacher sexually abused two students during their time at the school in the 1990s. The school hired an outside firm to do an investigation an invited other victims to come forward.

The investigation found that 14 former McCallie students were victims of sexual misconduct by five former employees of the school between the late 1960s and 2000.

(READ MORE: Investigation finds 14 former McCallie students were victims of sexual misconduct from late 1960s to 2000)

- Compiled by Carmen Nesbitt

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