In the Bay Area of California, during her senior year at Presentation High School, Emily Wells went to visit her Spanish teacher, Mr. James Carter, hoping to receive guidance for a poem she planned to present at a local Spanish poetry competition. What transpired instead was a harrowing experience of sexual abuse.
In 1990, when Wells approached Mr. Carter for advice on how to deliver her poem, he crossed boundaries by placing his arm around her and guiding her hand to his chest. He then kissed her hand, suggesting she should approach her poetry as one would with a romantic interest. Disturbed, Wells departed from his office, feeling unsettled and questioning whether anyone would believe her if she spoke out.
Wells chose to remain silent, fearing that her teacher, who was also responsible for her grades, would retaliate against her. However, this silence didn’t last long. A week later, Wells returned for further guidance, only to find Mr. Carter inappropriately sliding a photograph of a naked woman towards her, claiming he had taken it himself. Once again, Wells left confused and violated but kept her ordeal to herself, thinking, “No one would believe me.”
Years later, while catching up with a fellow alumna, Sarah Thompson, Wells learned that Thompson had also been assaulted by Mr. Carter during a school trip. The realization that they had both suffered at the hands of the same teacher was shocking. “I never thought I was alone, but finding out I wasn’t was both a relief and horrifying,” Wells reflected.
Motivated by her friend’s experience and her own trauma, Wells wrote to then Principal Lisa Adams in 1993, detailing her abuse. Unfortunately, her letter went unanswered. In the following years, she sent over ten letters and even held a meeting with the administration, but the response remained disheartening. Despite assurances from the new principal, Karen Lewis, that the matter would be addressed, it became evident that Mr. Carter faced no consequences for his actions.
The turning point for Wells came in October 2016, coincidentally on her birthday, when she learned of Mr. Carter’s passing. “It felt like a twisted gift,” she said, grappling with mixed emotions. To process her feelings, Wells penned an op-ed for a major publication, discussing the varied paths to closure for victims of sexual assault. Unbeknownst to her, this piece would resonate deeply within her high school community.
Her article was shared among Presentation High School alumni, igniting a flurry of responses from women who had also experienced abuse at the hands of Mr. Carter. Soon, four additional women stepped forward with their stories, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse. Regrettably, no formal complaints had been made to the police, despite the legal obligation to do so.
Over 20 women, all high school-aged at the time of their assaults, bravely came forward, hoping for justice and accountability. Yet, nothing was done—Mr. Carter was never investigated, nor was he placed on leave. Ironically, he was named Teacher of the Year in 1996.
The situation grew more alarming as it came to light that at least ten other accused abusers were allowed to remain at the school or were quietly reassigned, potentially endangering countless students. In response to the growing outrage, Wells and her fellow survivors launched a petition demanding an independent investigation into the pervasive culture of abuse at Presentation High School. They organized press conferences and created a website to support other victims in coming forward.
Wells is not only advocating for changes at her former school but is also working to strengthen child protection laws across California. She has testified in front of the California Senate Education Committee in support of The Safe Act, aimed at improving vetting processes for educators.
Despite the challenges posed by California’s statute of limitations on reporting childhood sexual abuse, which often protects perpetrators, Wells remains undeterred. She is collaborating with local representatives to extend these limitations and enhance penalties for failing to report abuse. “We need to hold accountable those who enable child abuse. If the administration had acted on any of these allegations, more suffering could have been avoided,” Wells declared.
Emily Wells is a true champion for change, and her determination is making waves not just in her community but potentially nationwide.
In summary, this courageous woman’s journey from silence to activism sheds light on the critical need for accountability and reform in schools to protect children from abuse.