City schools see 2,000 percent rise in ‘forcible-sex offenses’

City schools are facing a sickening epidemic of sexual misconduct.

In just the past year, the number of “forcible-sex offenses” reported by educators has risen nearly 2,000 percent — from just 21 in 2016-17 to 447 last year, according to a Post analysis of state data.

By comparison, the entire rest of the state logged only 49 such incidents last year, the figures show.

The offenses involve “completed or attempted” sexual contact from rape to forced groping, and even involved victims and perpetrators as young as elementary school students, according to the data.

“Clearly, there’s a serious problem in our school system,” parent advocate Mona Davids said of the latest data. “All sex offenses, from assault to harassment, should be taken seriously.”

Last year’s massive increase in reported sex offenses comes after years of total incidents in the low double digits.

There were just 10 reported in the 2013-14 school year, 14 in 2014-15, 18 in 2015-16, and 21 in 2016-17, according to state data.

The hike doesn’t necessarily show that sex offenses are becoming more common but that they were always happening and were just improperly reported in past years, according to CUNY Grad Center education professor David Bloomfield.

“It throws into stark relief what might have been happening all along under the radar,” Bloomfield said. “The most important aspect is going to be the follow-up by the de Blasio administration.”

The city Department of Education attributed last school year’s hike to a broadening of the category to count more forms of misconduct as “forcible” — including forced sexual touching. Under the rules, even a second-grader touching a classmate’s behind would count.

JHS 119 in the Bronx had the most forcible-sex incidents with nine, followed by PS 231 in Brooklyn with seven, and John Bowne High School in Queens with five.

Less severe school sex offenses also increased significantly last year, rising from 2,571 to 3,397 — a 32 percent hike.

The state’s data comes directly from school staffers, who are legally required to flag all violent and disruptive incidents involving students.

“The state’s definitions of these offenses has changed, but the bottom line is that any sexual misconduct in our schools is completely unacceptable, and we treat every allegation extremely seriously,” said DOE spokeswoman Miranda Barbot.

By Selim Algar

April 26, 2019