Joshua Carrier Trial Begins Friday

Some School District 11 students, staff and parents are nervous about Friday opening arguments beginning for a former Colorado Springs police officer accused of sexually assaulting middle schoolers.

Joshua Carrier has nearly 200 charges against 22 of his alleged victims.

During trials the victims can suffer when they re-live the alleged crimes against them. A healthcare professional, not involved in the case, says it all comes down to stress.

?It is just stressful. Anytime there is a stressful event, we need to encourage kids to cope with it in positive ways rather than negative ways,? said Dr. Michelle Cleckler, a clinical psychologist.

The psychologist said it is important to ensure young victims of sex assault are allowed to cope, but also that parents must keep a watchful eye.

?What I want parents to realize is that behavioral changes like irritability and poorer school performance are all part of depression and anxiety, and that is often overlooked,? said Cleckler.

D11 says a small number of students continue to use the Mann Middle School counseling services because of the Carrier case.