Following Delaware Teacher’s Arrest for Sexual Misconduct, Survivors of Abuse PA Offers Support and Urges Schools to Adopt Stronger Protections

Survivors of Abuse PA is extending sympathy and support to survivors following the disturbing news of a Delaware teacher charged with sexually soliciting a student over several months. The recent arrest of David DiFilippo, a teacher at George V. Kirk Middle School in Ogletown, Delaware, has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger protections for students and comprehensive legal resources for survivors of educator misconduct.

On February 21, 2025, Delaware State Police charged 45-year-old DiFilippo with multiple felony offenses, including sexual solicitation and inappropriate physical contact with a minor. Investigators revealed that DiFilippo allegedly engaged in sexually explicit online communications with the student between September 2023 and February 2024, in addition to initiating inappropriate contact during school hours. The case has sparked outrage among parents and community members, with growing concerns over the safety protocols in place within educational institutions. (delawareonline.com)

“This tragic incident serves as another painful reminder that our schools, places meant to nurture and educate, can sometimes become settings of exploitation,” said Ashley DiLiberto, founder of Survivors of Abuse PA. “No child should ever fear going to school, and when that trust is broken, survivors need a safe and empowering path to seek justice.”

Survivors of Abuse PA specializes in representing survivors of teacher student sexual abuse, who are often times harmed in educational settings. Our firm understands the complexities and emotional challenges survivors face when coming forward with allegations against trusted authority figures like teachers, coaches, and school administrators. To help survivors navigate this difficult journey, the firm offers a range of specialized legal services, including:

• Confidential Consultations – Survivors can discuss their experiences privately and safely with an attorney. These no-obligation consultations are designed to give survivors a clear understanding of their legal rights and options while prioritizing their emotional well-being.
• Comprehensive Legal Representation – The firm assists survivors in filing civil lawsuits against perpetrators and institutions that failed to protect students. This includes pursuing claims against school districts for negligent hiring, inadequate supervision, or failure to respond appropriately to reports of misconduct.
• Advocacy and Support Services – Survivors of Abuse PA works in partnership with counselors and trauma specialists to connect clients with the resources they need during the legal process and throughout their healing journey.
• Guidance Through Legal Procedures – The firm’s attorneys guide survivors through every stage of the legal process while ensuring they feel empowered and informed.

“Survivors of sexual abuse, especially minors, often delay coming forward due to fear, shame, or trauma,” said DiLiberto. “The legal system should accommodate these realities, and our job is to ensure that survivors know their rights and feel supported when they are ready to take action.”

The DiFilippo case has reignited conversations around school safety protocols and the responsibilities educational institutions have in preventing abuse. Survivors of Abuse PA is urging schools to adopt stricter safeguarding measures, including comprehensive background checks, enhanced staff training on recognizing signs of abuse, and transparent reporting systems for students and parents.

“Educational institutions have a legal and moral duty to protect the children entrusted to them,” added DiLiberto. “We must hold not only the perpetrators accountable but also the systems that allow this kind of abuse to go unchecked.”

Our firm offers free and confidential consultations to anyone looking to speak to an attorney; we ensure survivors and their families have access to the resources they need to seek justice.

For more information or to schedule a confidential consultation, please visit Survivors of Abuse PA or call (267) 502-9090.