Gloucester Catholic teacher and coach Gerald Scharff, 63, resigned last week after being confronted with an allegation that he sexually abused a student in the mid-1980s.
The allegation was made by an adult male in a letter received April 4 who said he was abused in the mid-1980s by Mr. Scharff. Another allegation had surfaced in January but could not be verified, as the person who was allegedly abused would not come forward to make the allegation on his own behalf. Mr. Scharff was placed on administrative leave on the day the letter was received, pending a review of the accusation by the Diocesan Review Board, a nine-member independent body headed by former Judge Philip Gruccio. Mr. Scharff, however, decided to resign and notified the school of his decision on April 7.
In accordance with the policy of the Diocese of Camden to report all allegations of sexual abuse of minors to law enforcement—no matter how long ago the abuse is alleged to have occurred—the allegation was reported to law enforcement authorities. Gloucester Catholic school principal John T. Colman notified the school community of the allegation in a letter to parents and guardians April 10. In the letter, he urged parents to talk to their children so as to allow any other possible allegations to come forward.
“The safety and well-being of our students are our highest priority,” Mr. Colman said in the letter. “With this in mind, I ask that you discuss this matter with your children and come to me with reports of any inappropriate activity that they may have experienced.”
The letter also provided parents with the toll-free number (1-800-964-6588) maintained by the diocese to receive reports of abuse and to arrange for counseling. In the days since the letter went home to parents, no additional complaints have been received regarding Mr. Scharff, according to Andrew Walton, spokesman for the diocese.
Assistance and professional counseling has been offered to the victim through the diocese’s Victims Assistance Program. Mr. Scharff was hired by Gloucester Catholic in 1977 and he taught math and social studies. He was also athletic director from 1979-1999 and had coached the golf team since 1977.