Deseret News | Reader comments: Rape charges filed against Hurricane High School teacher

Reader comments
Rape charges filed against Hurricane High School teacher

Ron | 11:30 a.m. Oct. 26, 2007

Looks like a witch hunt is on. Leave the lady and her boy friend alone. 17 years old is an adult in most states.

Mark | 12:22 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

A lot of comments have been made as to whether she should get the same sentence a male would, especially since she may not.

I think it is okay that a female would not get the same sentence since, in a rape, the male is harmed emotionally and psychologically but a female is harmed emotionally, psychologically, AND physically (i.e. pregnancy).

Rape will always carry more punishment when the perpetrator is male because of the chance of pregnancy.

eww | 12:30 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

When it's a teacher and a student? That causes more problems than just a few happy feelings and a little baby..

Comments continue below

Kevin | 1:07 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

Wow, really didn't expect this teacher of it. I would imagine it would happen but not happen in reality. Pretty depressing.

Dutchman | 1:10 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

The first two comments are pathetic, absolutely pathetic. No wonder our culture is going downhill fast.

Eowyn | 1:12 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

Boyfriend? You've GOT to be kidding me! This teacher took advantage of her position of trust to sexually exploit a minor. That is statutory rape, folks! And she should be hit every bit as hard as a man would be in terms of punishment. It makes me nuts when people look at the gender and not the crime, whether it's in favor or against the criminal. The law is the law, and it applies equally to men and women.

Rad | 1:13 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

Did the boy interject? Cuz i didnt read anything that sounded like he was against it. So I dont think rape should be issued if he wasnt against it. I cant imagine too many senarios where a 17year old boy would turn down sex. but thats just me.

Careful | 1:49 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

I don't care what happens in private between consenting adults, BUT one of these two was not an adult. With more studies suggesting that the human mind is still developing into the early 20s and the last part to develop is that which connects consequences with actions, I think we should up the age of adulthood to 21. That should even extend to the minimum age that someone can join the military so that these kids who think they are invincible can live a little life and learn a little before making such a major decision.

Statutory rape is in place to protect children. We start down a slippery slope when we start to define 17 and 16-year-olds as adults. Doesn't a 12 year old know what he or she is doing? In Mormon culture, an 8-year-old is "accountable" for his or her decisions. Should we make them adults? We've got to question a culture that believes that teenagers have the cognitive abilities of someone in their late 20s and older.

Confused | 2:13 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

What I don't get is why? This teacher is a young, attractive woman. What in the world was she thinking when she chose to be romantically involved with a 17 year old student? There should be plenty of men her own age that she could be involved with. I just don't get it.

mary | 2:57 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

It seems like this is the 3rd or 4th case in Utah in the last several years that involved a female teacher being charged with sexual abuse of a male minor. It used to be that it was more common to hear of charges against a male teacher. Wonder if the feamle teacher rape charges are becoming more common now in just Utah or throughout the whole country?

Confused no more | 4:07 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

Confused,

The worst thing that can happen to an "attractive woman" in America today is to grow old. Our culture celebrates "High School" as the best years of one's life. American women will pay and do anything to look like they are still 17. Scared of growing old, they look for for excitement and some teenage rebellion. Psychologists out there will undoubtedly argue that it is much more complex than this, but certainly this must play a role.

Mark | 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

I made the comment earlier about a man rape needing to be punished more than a woman rape. I didn't mean that there was no harm done when a woman rapes. Of course there is harm and of course it is awful and terrible. I meant that there is MORE harm done when a man rapes due to pregnancy. Sheesh.

Unbelieveable | 5:48 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007

Confused no more. Are you serious? Are you making up an excuse for her behavior? I don't care what pschological problems she may have with growing older. Under no circumstance should a teacher have sexual intercourse with one of her students. Absolutely unacceptable!!!! Crissy is not a stupid person and she knew what the consequences would be if she participated in this behavior. She chose to break the law so she should be punished. Don't make excuses!!! This has to stop NOW!!!!!!

Legal consent | 12:06 a.m. Oct. 27, 2007

Do not confuse legal consent with willingness to participate.

Ask any teen if they want to stay home for a long period of time from school or go to school and 99% will stay home. Why? Because they don't make the best long term decisions for themselves. Most think of short term impacts, not long term.

The same is true in this situation. The 17-yr. old is hardly a victim (in some aspects). However, the teen chose to act on impulses. Months later, having dwelled on the matter, the teen had second thoughts and reported it to authorities.

Both are guilty of making horrible decisions. The teen's penalty is lighter because the adult is expected to be more responsible.

Legal age 15 | 1:56 p.m. Oct. 27, 2007

In Utah, the legal age of marriage is 15.

Me | 12:09 a.m. Oct. 28, 2007

I am more shocked at the responses than anythig else! I can see that when people are calling her Crissy that they know her, any of us that know her love her! I do agree with the last statement that the legal age of marriage is 15 and that is silly, you think that's not as big of a decision as sex? I truly love her and I know that we all make mistakes, it's just unfortunate that this is in the public eye because of her occupation. LOVE YOU CRISSY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

me 2 | 5:13 p.m. Oct. 28, 2007

Crissy, I love you too. I am thinking about you day and night!!! Hang in there!

me 3 | 5:46 p.m. Oct. 28, 2007

just cause someone makes a mistake, doesn't mean everyone has the right to judge her and slander her name. "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." WE LOVE YOU CRISSY! STAY STRONG!

Big question? | 12:01 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007

Wasn't "Crissy" already married?

future WV teacher | 6:55 a.m. Nov. 1, 2007

as a college student in pursuit of my teaching degree, i am appalled that this woman is getting support from anyone.

when you take on any job that puts you in charge of children(this means 17 & under) then you take on the responsibilty of being that childs guardian for the duration that they are in your care. if you cant make sound judgements and decisions as an adult (18 & older) then you do not need to be involved in these lines of work.

would you want a family member doing these things to your child? i think not. your childs teacher(s) are just as important in their lives as you are.

doing harm to a trusted family member who assaults your child (even if your child "consented") but supporting a teacher who makes a "mistake", that is just plain crazy......

as for her wanting to feel young again? PUHLEEZE!!!!

Lawyer guy | 11:56 a.m. Nov. 1, 2007

From what I have read from most of you, not all, but most seem to be confused about the differance in the law between rape and stautory rape. What she did was the later, and this needs to be understood. Whether or not he wanted to have sex with her is not the issue. The fact the he was a minor is the issue. Who out there in their right mind would let a male teacher have sex with their lets say 16 year old daughter, a quite relavant scenerio. I for one who is a loving father would never concent to actions like that. So if law is law, and people are alowed to make mistakes as some of you have written, then why not let someone off who really didnt mean to kill someone? Why is it that people who feel sorry for others act as if they should be exempt. I have heard that she is married and has children, some quite young. She threw her life away. What would drive her to make such a poor life dicision. Lose your entire life over what. Oh, and now she is a sex offender! Send to jail.

ummmm........ | 12:41 p.m. Nov. 1, 2007

k um HELLO!
she knows what she did shes not stupid it was her mistake. Shes freakin 29, married, and has kids!

Anonymous | 4:23 p.m. Nov. 5, 2007

It seems like everyone is convinced that this woman is guilty prior to trial. It is vwery easy to get an indictment from a grand jury with very little fact. A criminal defense can very quickly bankrupt the average middle class person. Why is everyone so sure this woman did it?

Close Friend EH | 11:00 a.m. Nov. 16, 2007

I personally have known Crissy for 8 years. She was a single Mother for years, working full time and going to school full time. All she ever wanted to do was to teach. She is a brilliant, hardworking, caring, wonderful person, friend and Mother. She is an excellent athelete and has always excelled in school and sports. She comes from a loving and caring family. She is now married to an equally wonderful man.

Simply stated, she made a mistake. The STUDENT also made a mistake. He turns 18 in November. I am not saying that what she did was right, only that we have all made poor decisions in our lives, but we were lucky enough not to have our mistakes plastered across the news.

Her husband is supportive and her remorse is beyond comprehension. Remember that we will be judged as we judge others.

And most of all Crissy, if you are reading this, remember that I love you unconditionally and will always be your friend. I LOVE YOU and YOUR FRIENDS LOVE YOU CRISSY! I will NEVER turn my back on you...

eh
"roundtheoutside"

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