Figures released by the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers show that over the past 12 years in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there have been more than 1,800 allegations of physical and sexual abuse against teachers. And the number is growing; 183 allegations in 2003 compared with 44 in 1991. Only 200 of those 1,800 made it to court; 73 were convicted. Of the 160 cases reported in 2002, 20 are still outstanding.

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