D.C. Council members on Monday demanded an investigation of schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s recent charges that fired teachers physically assaulted and had sex with students.

“If these accusations are true, then we must act swiftly to ensure children are safe and perpetrators are investigated and brought to justice,” said Council Chairman Vincent Gray. “If they are found to be untrue, then these accusations may devastate the lives of many of the teachers who were laid off in the middle of a school year.”