Not sure if this belongs here but I have to vent. Sorry if it gets confusing.

I've been a high school teacher for the past nine years and soccer coach for 5 and this situation has caused me to lose the love for it and am resigning come August.

Here is what happened:

I've always been the "cool" teacher. My class has always been a safe haven for anybody: jocks, nerds, geeks, burnouts, ghettos, outcasts. Anybody. Always had an open door policy. Kids come to eat breakfast and lunch in my class. We watch bob's burgers or play xbox during those times. Anyways, a friend of mine had her little sister sign up for my class so I can watch over her and keep close contact with my friend in case anything happened with grades and what not. The usual "I got your back" deal. The student was also part of the Future Farmers of America program and had 2 baby ducklings she was raising. She had mentioned how her dad did not want them in the house without a cage. I am an animal lover and have multiple pets. I told her I had an extra cage leftover from a guinea pig I didn't have and I could give it to her. Again, helping out a student and the little sister of a friend of mine. I text the student a picture of the cage to make sure dimensions were enough and it was. I then gave her the cage and that's it. End of that. Semester ended in December and rarely saw her around campus.

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Fast forward to March: This student got into a fight with one of her best friends. The two girls end up going at it almost daily. One snitches on the other for something and vice versa trying to outdo the other. One snitched on the other for smoking in the restroom, the other for skipping, and back and forth. Allegations getting more and more serious. Then comes the main thing: My friend's little sister comes running to my class and says "They're accusing us of having a relationship and that I sent you nudes." I thought she was kidding and with tears in her eyes she says "I'm not kidding. I just got out of the district's police office where they questioned me." My heart sank and a sense of panic came over me. As soon as she told me I went straight to the principal's office to find out what exactly is going on. He pulls me in and says that allegations were brought forth about inappropriate relationship with the student including vulgar images sent. The little girl my friend's sister was having issues with told her mom that I was receiving nudes from my friend's sister. The mom then went to the school to have a meeting with the principal about the fight going on between the two girls and in conversation mentions the allegation. This was done in retaliation for what was going on between them. They confiscated her phone and were going to look through it. Of course once such statement is made the school must investigate. Deep inside I knew I was innocent but the thoughts of the #metoo movement and current climate of sex allegations ( false and true) against men raced through my head. The worst thoughts came: picturing my face on the front page of the news paper, getting fired, questioned, etc. The principal did a great job and reassured me that he believes me but they have to follow protocol.

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They questioned several students about my character and professionalism in class. Everything that was said was extremely positive. The next day I have a district police officer show up to my class. My heart skipped a beat. He asks if he can speak with me and I agree. Right away he says "Sir, I have to read you your rights before we begin." Panic sets in and the thoughts as well. I know its just a step needed but still, I've only gotten one speeding ticket in my life. He asks me questions that make me feel gross and like a pervert. Made me feel like I needed to take the hottest shower I could: "Did you touch her breasts? Did you touch her behind? Has she been to your house for sexual interaction? Has she sent you nude pictures? Have you sent pictures of yourself to her? Have you ever picked her up from her house to have sex?" You know how gross it feels? It was the worst feeling I've ever had in my life. He then asks if I'm willing to give my cell phone up to be investigated. I promptly say yes and he says it can take 3-5 days. Now, this was embarrassing at an entirely different level. They were going to go through my photos and social media. I have intimate pictures on my phone of my girlfriend and I. Very personal. It was embarrassing knowing some guys in some police office were going to see those. I repeatedly apologized to my girlfriend about others seeing them but she was amazing about it and said she didn't care and to do whatever I needed to prove myself.

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What was supposed to be 3-5 days turned into 7. Seven agonizing sleepless days. I rarely ate, slept, and spoke. I ended up going through a couple bottles of whiskey. I called in for several days and didn't want to go to campus out of the embarrassment. You know kids talk and things spread like wildfire. When I went back you can tell people heard of the situation. Made me feel gross. On top of that I have OCD and Anxiety issues. Big ones. They were under control but this situation caused me to relapse. Bad. I'm currently back at my therapist when I haven't needed one in years. After the seventh day they call me in and tell me I can have my phone back and that everything was clear. No evidence was found of the allegations. They had me sign a paper saying how nothing was found and the ordeal was over to close the case.

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Principal calls me into his office and says he knew it was false but had to follow district directions and apologized that he couldn't have helped me anymore during the investigation. He thanked me for helping the student with the duck situation because those ducks allowed her to get a passing grade and graduate. Also thanked me for all I do for the students. He then says "This situation happens to a lot more guys than you think every year." And I couldn't believe it. How are these false accusations against men constantly made. The student and parent that made the allegation got no consequences. The student didn't get a talking to, suspended, told to apologize to me and my friend's sister. Nothing. How do these girls/women keep making these accusations without evidence and make life hell for innocent guys without consequence?! It causes enough anger in me to not sleep and build up a migraine. Not to mention the pain it caused my family.

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I am resigning from my positions come August as soon as I find another job in another city. I feel embarrassed stepping into campus. I do not see it the same. I want NOTHING to do with teaching and coaching. Anywhere. In fact, I've been wanting to move to another city because I just want to get out of here. Unfortunately I haven't found a job yet and can't move but I'm very active in the search. Some say I should sue but I just want to let go of what happened and move forward.

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I feel like a part of me died and my life has completely changed. I don't check out women in public, I always keep my distance physically while in line at the grocery, I avoid eye contact while passing them at a store. Nothing. I avoid interaction because I don't want anything being said.

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I hope no guy ever has to go through such hell.

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TL;DR: I was wrongfully accused of having sexual relations with a student by another student that hated her and wanted to get her in trouble. This led to a life of hell during the investigation and still feeling the affects from it.