Newark, DE: The arrest of Delaware middle school teacher David DiFilippo has once again placed a spotlight on the devastating reality of sexual abuse within schools — a reality that far too many students in Pennsylvania and across the country experience in silence. At Survivors of Abuse PA, we are standing with survivors and their families, offering legal guidance and compassionate support to those affected by teacher-student sexual abuse.
DiFilippo, a 45-year-old teacher at George V. Kirk Middle School, was charged with multiple felonies after Delaware State Police uncovered sexually explicit communications between him and a student spanning several months. Investigators further allege that inappropriate physical contact occurred at school, highlighting the repeated opportunities for abuse within trusted educational spaces.
These allegations are distressing — but unfortunately, they are not isolated. In Pennsylvania and across the country, students face similar dangers when predatory educators use their position of power to groom, manipulate, and exploit the very students they are hired to protect. When that trust is shattered, survivors often feel isolated, ashamed, or afraid to speak out.
At Survivors of Abuse PA, we want all survivors to know: You are not alone, and you are not powerless. Our legal team is dedicated to helping survivors understand their rights, hold abusers accountable, and pursue compensation for the harm they have endured. Whether the abuse occurred recently or years ago, survivors deserve a path to justice.
Schools Must Prioritize Safety
No student should fear going to school — yet when sexual abuse occurs, it creates an atmosphere of silence and mistrust. Schools have an obligation to put robust prevention measures in place, including comprehensive background checks, staff training on grooming red flags, and confidential reporting channels for students. When these safeguards fail, schools must be held accountable, along with the individuals responsible for the abuse.
Advocacy Beyond the Courtroom
True advocacy means more than legal representation — it’s about giving survivors back their voice. Survivors of Abuse PA works closely with local counseling services, survivor groups, and community organizations to help survivors rebuild their sense of safety and control, both inside and outside the courtroom.
Ashley DiLiberto, Esq. Of Survivors of Abuse PA Answers Questions
Laurence Banville: Ashley, from a survivor’s perspective, what makes coming forward so difficult, especially with teacher abuse?
Ashley DiLiberto, Esq.: There’s so much fear involved — fear of not being believed, fear of retaliation from teachers or school officials, and even fear of being ostracized by peers. Many survivors also feel guilt, as if they somehow caused the abuse, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Breaking through those emotional barriers is one of the hardest parts.
Laurence Banville: How does your firm approach working with survivors to help them feel empowered during the legal process?
Ashley DiLiberto, Esq.: We emphasize control — the survivor drives the process, from how much they want to share to what kind of legal action they want to take. We also work with trauma-informed professionals to ensure they have emotional support along the way. Most importantly, we remind them that they deserve justice, no matter how much time has passed.
Mr. Banville is a personal injury attorney who has experience in handling auto accidents, work injuries, medical malpractice, dog bites, slip and falls, and representing survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Mr. Banville is affiliated with law firms in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, D.C., and Maryland. Abuse Guardian
