Psychologist advises families have 'difficult conversations' after SanLee Middle teacher's child sex charges surface

Investigators in Lee County believe there are more children taught by Andrew Allen who are victims of abuse.

It's bringing on hard discussions for parents and families who are absorbing the news.

An indictment from the grand jury in Lee County said Allen engaged in a sexual act with an 11-year-old student, between September 2017 and June 2018.

Investigators say they've identified several other children who accuse Allen of sexual abuse during his decade as a teacher here in the county.

Lee County Schools are adding counselors and social workers at SanLee Middle School in response to Allen's arrest.

The 32-year-old is charged with several child sex crimes, including sexual activity with a student.

The Sheriff's Office says it discovered Allen had inappropriate relationships with several students during a decade of teaching at SanLee Middle School.

"Unfortunately, adults who hurt children in that type of way are usually pretty good at what they do," said Dr. Holly Sink, a psychologist with Southmountain Children and Family Services. The organization helps investigators across the state talk with young victims of abuse.

"The best we can do as parents is to be there with the child, let them have whatever feelings or reactions they’re having at the time, continue to have conversations – probably some difficult conversations."

Those conversations can start with questions.

"Asking what questions they have is really helpful, because a lot of times we don’t know what they’re curious about. So, just seeing what they might be curious about, what they understand, what might be confusing to them."

Sink says it's important to remind children who may be experiencing abuse by an adult that secrets aren't safe.

"We, as adults, shouldn’t be putting children in a place to keep secrets from others," she said.