Judge delivers tough, clear message on trust

A former teacher who thought a prison term was too harsh a penalty for having sex with one of his students found out earlier this week a Snohomish County Superior Court judge disagreed.

Robert Vincent Beresford, 35, will spend 15 months in prison — not jail — for his conviction of two counts of first degree sexual misconduct with a minor. He’ll have to register as a sex offender. And he has lost his teaching certificate. Not even 10 years as a teacher with a reputation amongst other teachers for getting kids excited about learning could change the judge’s mind. Because, as Superior Court Judge Kenneth Cowsert told Beresford, "I’m sending you to prison for what you did."

Apparently what Beresford did wasn’t awful enough in his mind to warrant prison. His ashen face and buckled knees, as reported by a Herald reporter, along with his own confession that he didn’t understand the judge’s "excessive" decision, made that clear.

After all, the girl was 17 years old. Not 13 or 14 or even 16. The relationship didn’t appear to be forced on her. She admitted in a letter to the judge that she liked receiving an older man’s attention. That sentiment has since changed and she now thinks he treated her "like a piece of meat." Her mother refers to Beresford as a rapist. It’s no surprise the girl’s feelings and thoughts have changed — 17 can be an age of maturity in some areas of life, but one of confusion and immaturity in others.

Judge Cowsert made his decision after reading 450 pages of documents and reports. Whatever the details behind his final sentencing decision, it sent a message to all people who work with children — this kind of behavior won’t be tolerated and the consequences are severe. It’s the appropriate message to be sending adults.

Fortunately, the vast majority of people who work with our children every day are honorable. They commit to such challenging work out of their desire to help children grow into responsible adults. They have our admiration and respect. And they don’t mar their excellent work records by crossing the line or slipping up even once.

They don’t betray their students’ trust or the trust that the community places in them by starting sexual relationships with children. They don’t violate our children’s trust — or their bodies.

Cases like this aren’t just instances of an adult letting down a student. They are severe breeches of trust. They are crimes. Potential offenders need to know that they will be punished.

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