ChargesHakim, a physical education teacher at the Saltonstall School in Salem from 2015 until he was separated from employment in 2018, was arrested for 32 counts of Aggravated Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14 on ten victims, all students at the Saltonstall School at that time and all girls.Timeline2015: Hakim is employed by the Salem Public Schools.2018: Instances of improper conduct are brought to the attention of the Salem Public School district, which reports them, as required by law, to the state Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Salem Police Department, and the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Hakim is immediately removed from the school and suspended pending the outcome of the investigation; he never returns to Salem Public School and his employment ends as he is separated from service at the end of the school year.
DCF completes its screening and investigation of the claims. The claims are deemed to be not prosecutable.2020: DESE revokes Hakim’s teaching license.2021: An additional Saltonstall student from that time frame informs her parents of improper conduct by Hakim in 2016.
Salem Police and the District Attorney’s office investigate and charge Hakim with seven counts in December 2021. Salem Public Schools notifies Saltonstall families directly about the arrest, holds a forum with parents to discuss it, and provides support for students and families impacted by the traumatic event.