There is an interesting discussion about hugging children in the Atlanta newspaper. Here is one excerpt:
As to the male teachers:
Remember I’m a lawyer – I do criminal cases. I’m by nature somewhat conservative. My point of view is skewed by my work where I walk into these disasters and try to throw enough oil on the water to get a resolution people can live with. Around here misdemeanor sexual battery is a lifetime sex offender registration.
That penalty is so draconian you might have to jump on a simple battery plea to avoid the risk of losing the original charge at trial even if you could probably beat it. Or go to trial, pay the attorney and take the chances. In CA in sex cases your prior sexuality will probably come into evidence so kiss your privacy goodbye.