Invisible Target: Breaking the Cycle of Educator Sexual Abuse

by Andrea Clemens

Invisible Target is a true, detailed account of one girl’s experience of educator sexual abuse at the hands of her middle school teacher. It follows her journey, beginning with her tumultuous childhood, meeting the teacher, and the grooming process he created to lure her into a false sense of trust and ultimate betrayal. After years of abuse and manipulation, she finally found the courage to bravely break away from her abuser. With excerpts from newspaper articles and an actual court impact statement, this book gives you a clear picture of how the epidemic of educator sexual abuse begins, progresses, and affects so many innocent lives. Invisible Target is more than a memoir. With thought-provoking questions at the close of each chapter, this book serves as a strong educational tool for students, parents, teachers, and administrators by shedding light on the dynamics of educator sexual abuse so that school can be a safe haven for every child. “I highly recommend that Invisible Target be read and discussed in every school community in the country.”
—John M. Seryak, M.Ed. “This book can help students identify predators, parents to support their children, and educators to prevent abuse.”
—Charol Shakeshaft, Ph.D. “Although the topic is obviously very disturbing and disheartening, Andrea’s story is one of hope.”
—Robert J. Shoop, Ph.D.

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2015

About the author

Andrea received her master’s degree from Boston University in clinical social work and has been educating school faculty, students, administrators, parenting groups, mentors, and the general public about educator sexual misconduct for over ten years. She has participated in both local and national television shows, including the Montel Williams Show and Fox News Live.
Andrea is a key member of the speaker’s bureau for S.E.S.A.M.E., a national organization dedicated to preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment of students by teachers and school staff. She is also an instructor with the non-profit organization, KidSafe Foundation, whose mission is to prevent child sexual abuse, bullying and internet dangers by providing education programs to children, seminars to parents, workshops to teachers and counselors and trainings to all professionals working with children.
Andrea continues to invest time and energy ensuring schools can be safe environments for our children – free from harassment and abuse.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrea Clemens has bravely written about how she was groomed by her middle school teacher and was then abused for 11 years. Struggling to gain back the many years of growth she missed, one sees how devastating, beyond the sexual aspects, this crime is to the victim and all those around her. Her courage to reveal all the aspects of her life that this has affected is breath taking.

Each chapter ends with thought provoking questions for teachers, parents, students, survivors and all readers

Unfortunately, this a subject that has been ignored for too long.

Let's read Invisible Target, and make ourselves more aware, so there are fewer invisible targets.

[Laura (Books, Interrupted) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will write a longer review when I'm not on my phone and have had a chance to process everything in this book. Andrea did a phenomenal job of writing about her experience with sexual abuse and setting up the background to why she was an "easy target" to groom. It obviously took many years and therapy and internal strength to be able to write such a public account of her ordeal. I recommend this to anyone interested in learning about overcoming sexual abuse, the things to be on the lookout for potential victims, what to do about it, and advocacy.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children, parents and educators should read this book. Ms Clemens tells her story with honesty and sensitivity but doesn't sugar coat anything. At the end of each section there are very pertinent questions to be answered by parents, students, educators and victims. Very helpful in unmasking the sinister people who lie in wait for the most vulnerable of our children.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for every educator.

[Jennifer Theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for students, parents, educators and district administrators. I came across Clemens’ book while researching educator sexual abuse and immediately purchased a copy. I am a survivor of educator sexual abuse and while it has been 25 years since my abuse began and nearly 20 years since it ended, I am still searching to make sense of all of it, especially now that I have children that are the age I was when it began.

Reading Clemens’ book was so empowering for me. Clemens is very poised, thoughtful and insightful and reading her words … for the first time in my life, I truly felt like someone else on this planet understood what I experienced and the feelings I had at the time and still struggle with, at times, today. I was amazed at how similar our stories were at times, and how different they were as well. I have read extensively on childhood sexual abuse and nothing I have read until this book adequately articulated the fear and shame I experienced. I have the utmost respect for Clemens and as the reader, rejoiced when the book ended and she described her life today – happy and successful and a strong advocate for others. While I was shaped by my abuse, I have never let it define me, and I have chosen, again and again, to rise above it and find peace with myself and the happiness I knew I deserved.

Clemens provides very thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter, directed at parents, students, educators and survivors. They are designed to make the reader explore difficult topics and open a dialogue with others – whether you are a student being “groomed”, a parent who suspects something or an educator/administrator looking to protect other students. Educator sexual abuse is an unfortunate reality and it needs to be talked about – Clemens’ memoir is just the tool to start the conversation. Pick up a copy, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

[Sherry Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invisible Target is a book that brings to light the problem of sexual abuse by educators on their students. Survivor and author, Andrea Clemens shares her ten-year experience of abuse at the hands of a former teacher.

While a difficult topic, it's one that needs to be addressed. This book equips parents, students, faculty, and administrators with knowledge of behaviors to watch for and what to do if it is suspected that sexual abuse is occurring. It's an important resource to help keep kids safe. Highly recommended.

[Emmie Must · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read so many books about this topic I find it very inspiring how the survivor's claimed their lives back and by facing their worst traumas and fears freed themselves and others. There seem to be the same patterns the abusers use but the survivor's way of experiencing and overcoming this varies for person to person and that's why I think it's so important that they share their real account or recolection of the events so other victims find themselves there.

[Miranda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrea writes her story with honesty and depth, speaking volumes on her strength and humanity. She movingly utilizes her own experience as a call-to-action for not only other survivors who might need a push to speak up, but parents, teachers, administrators, and students who need to be prepared for this all too widespread form of abuse within our communities. As an abuse survivor myself, this read was emotional but cathartic. Thank you for sharing your story and fighting for others.

[lettylaunica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

This was heartbreaking and at the same time this was a powerful read, people suffer a lot after this abuse and I'm glad how she explained how the relationship evolve but also she gave us her background and what happened after she recognized she was in an abusive relationship. I now know more about this topic and I appreciate the survivor's honesty

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every school system should be reading and discussing this book. As a parent, one I’ll be recommending to friends as well. The bravery to share this story to educate and empower others is appreciated. The considerations for each audience after each section was a great idea. Thank you.

[Kristine Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Loved the discussion questions.