Spartanburg County Guidance Counselor Arrested for Failure to Report Sexual Assault

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. – A middle school guidance counselor in Spartanburg County has been arrested for allegedly failing to report a sexual assault involving a student.

Allegations Against Guidance Counselor

According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, the incident dates back to February 7 when a student at Daniel Morgan Applied Technology Center reported to a school resource officer that they had been sexually assaulted by another juvenile while in elementary school.

The student claimed to have informed the guidance counselor at Clifdale Middle School, identified as Joy Allen, on two separate occasions. However, Allen allegedly did not report the matter to the Department of Social Services or law enforcement, as required by law.

During an interview, Allen reportedly admitted to not taking any action and stated that she believed she had not violated the law. Despite undergoing mandated reporter training multiple times throughout her career, Allen failed to report the incident.

Confirmation of Assault

Following the student’s report, investigators confirmed the sexual assault after the victim was seen at the Children’s Advocacy Center. The victim reiterated that Allen had been informed of the assault but failed to act.

Legal Ramifications

Joy Allen, 61, surrendered herself to the Spartanburg County Detention Center on a charge of failure to report child abuse/neglect. She has since been released on bail.

School District’s Response

Spartanburg School District Three announced that Allen has been placed on administrative leave at the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Conclusion

The case of the guidance counselor’s alleged inaction in response to a student’s report of sexual assault has sparked concern and raised questions about the responsibilities of school officials in protecting students.