Teen abuse survivor pressured to drop charges against her black teacher by school’s ‘social emotional learning’ guru.
A Prominent Non-Profit Pressured Sexual Assault Victim to Drop Charges Against Teacher
A woman who was sexually assaulted in school as a teenager has come forward with shocking allegations against the founder of a prominent “social emotional learning” non-profit. Jennifer Freed, the psychologist and astrologist behind AHA! Santa Barbara, is accused of pressuring the victim to drop charges against her attacker. The reason? Freed believed that the arrest of the teacher could contribute to the “over-incarceration” of black men.
The victim, referred to as Maria, participated in talk circles organized by AHA! Santa Barbara during her time in high school. These circles aimed to reduce violence in schools and create healthier campus environments. However, Maria claims that Freed used her position to advocate for the teacher who tormented her with sexual advances.
According to Maria, Freed delivered a lecture about how pressing charges would perpetuate the mass incarceration of black men in America. Instead, Freed suggested a “restorative approach” as an alternative to involving authorities. Maria found this advice inappropriate and harmful, especially coming from a licensed psychologist.
Freed’s organization, AHA! Santa Barbara, has gained national recognition for its work in social emotional learning. It has even been endorsed by celebrities like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. However, these allegations against Freed raise concerns about whether SEL programs prioritize leftist politics over the emotional well-being of children.
Maria did not follow Freed’s advice and pursued charges against her attacker, leading to a criminal conviction and a substantial settlement with the school district. Despite this, Maria feels betrayed by Freed and other leftists who defended her attacker, claiming that she is now scared for her safety.
Questionable Motives and Connections
Maria suspects that Freed’s support for her attacker stems from his wife’s involvement with a group that financially supports AHA! Santa Barbara. Diane Fujino, an ethnic studies professor, sits on the board of directors of the Fund for Santa Barbara, which is listed as a donor in AHA!’s annual report. Maria believes that she was merely a pawn in their efforts to protect their interests.
When confronted with these allegations, Freed denied any involvement in the case and expressed confusion about why anyone would make such claims. However, her previous statements on social media suggest otherwise, as she mentioned having evidence of Maria’s positive views towards her group.
Exploitation and Inappropriate Behavior
Maria’s negative experience with Freed extends beyond the pressure to drop charges. She claims that Freed used the talk circles to push students towards more sexual activity, including discussions about masturbation and lesbian experiences. Maria felt uncomfortable with these discussions and believes that Freed crossed boundaries by pushing her to explore her sexuality.
Furthermore, AHA! Santa Barbara asked participants to sign waivers allowing Freed to use their images for promotional purposes. Maria alleges that they were frequently directed to record video testimonials praising the program, raising concerns about the potential leverage that adults could have over vulnerable teenagers.
Maria’s experience with Freed has left her with a deep mistrust of psychologists and has impacted her ability to seek professional mental help.
Read more about this story:
- ‘Scared For My Safety’: Sexual Assault Victim Stunned As Leftists Defend Teacher Who Attacked Her
- ‘This Is A Cult’: How Wealthy Santa Barbara Foreshadowed The Fight Against Crackpot Curriculum
- Radical Activist Teacher Got Away With Shocking Behavior For Years
- The Disgraced Teacher Who Took The Name Of An Egyptian God And Radicalized A School District
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
Now loading...