School Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Sex Abuse Attorneys Fighting for Survivors Abused in Schools

We entrust teachers, administrators, and other faculty in our schools to provide instruction and protection to our children. Unfortunately, not all school teachers and staff uphold their obligations for providing a safe environment to children – some use their position of trust and power to sexually abuse or assault students, and pressure them into keeping silent.

If your child has been a survivor of sexual abuse in school, you suspect they may have suffered abuse at the hands of school faculty, or you are an adult who suffered sex abuse in school as a child, taking decisive action with the help of experienced attorneys is critical.

At The Zalkin Law Firm, we represent children and families who wish to pursue civil legal action against teachers and other school staff alleged to have committed abuse, as well as school administrators and school districts that failed to adequately investigate claims and protect children. In addition to ensuring others do not suffer abuse, our mission is to help survivors seek the justice and compensation they deserve.

Have questions about your legal rights following child sex abuse in school? Call (800) 477-2989 or contact us online to request a FREE consultation.

What is School Sexual Abuse?

School sexual abuse refers to any form of sexual misconduct or exploitation that occurs within an educational institution, involving students and sometimes staff members. It can take various forms, including but not limited to:

• Physical Sexual Abuse: This involves direct physical contact of a sexual nature, such as inappropriate touching, groping, or forced sexual acts.
• Verbal Sexual Abuse: This occurs when someone uses sexually explicit language, jokes, or comments to demean, harass, or intimidate a student.
• Non-Contact Abuse: This includes behaviors such as voyeurism, exhibitionism, or exposing students to sexually explicit material.
• Grooming: Grooming is a process where the abuser builds a relationship with the survivor to gain their trust and establish emotional connection before exploiting them sexually. This can involve giving gifts, offering special attention, or manipulating the survivor psychologically.
• Sexual Harassment: This involves unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or offensive environment for the survivor.

School sexual abuse can have severe and long-lasting effects on the survivors, including psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties forming healthy relationships in the future. It is a serious violation of trust and can occur in various educational settings, including primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

Common Signs of School Sexual Abuse

Identifying signs of school sexual abuse can be crucial in providing support to survivors and preventing further harm. However, it's important to note that these signs can vary depending on the individual and the specific circumstances.

Some common signs of school sexual abuse include:

• Behavioral Changes: Sudden and unexplained changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn, anxious, or unusually secretive. On the other hand, some survivors may become more aggressive or display acting-out behaviors.
• Physical Symptoms: Unexplained injuries or physical complaints, such as stomachaches or headaches, particularly when there is no medical explanation for them. Bruises, cuts, or other injuries in the genital or anal area may also be signs of sexual abuse.
• Regression: Reverting to behaviors more common in younger children, such as bedwetting, thumb-sucking, or other regressive behaviors.
• Changes in Academic Performance: A decline in academic performance, loss of interest in school, or difficulty concentrating may indicate that the child is experiencing emotional distress related to abuse.
• Avoidance of Specific Places or People: A child who avoids certain places, such as bathrooms, locker rooms, or specific classrooms, or seems afraid of particular individuals, such as teachers or other students, may be experiencing abuse.
• Sexualized Behavior: Engaging in sexual behaviors or using sexual language that is not age-appropriate. This can include knowledge of sexual acts beyond what is typical for their age or drawing explicit sexual images.
• Emotional Distress: Displaying signs of emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
• Changes in Relationships: Difficulty forming or maintaining relationships with peers or adults, fear of being alone with certain individuals, or difficulty trusting others.
• Sleep Disturbances: Nightmares, difficulty falling asleep, or other sleep disturbances may indicate that the child is experiencing emotional distress related to abuse.
• Sudden Changes in Hygiene Habits: Overly meticulous grooming or sudden neglect of personal hygiene can sometimes be indicators of sexual abuse.

Who is Liable for School Sexual Abuse?

Liability for school sexual abuse can fall on various parties, depending on the circumstances of the abuse, the role of individuals involved, and the policies of the educational institution. Here are some potential parties that can be held liable:

• The Perpetrator: The individual who committed the abuse (e.g., teacher, staff member, or student) can face criminal charges and civil lawsuits.
• School Districts or Administrators: Schools and their administrators can be held liable under the doctrine of vicarious liability if they fail to take appropriate action to prevent abuse, investigate allegations, or protect students from known offenders. This includes failing to provide adequate training or supervision to staff.
• School Employees: Other employees who knew or should have known about the abuse but did not report it or take action to stop it may also be held liable, especially if they had a duty to report under mandatory reporting laws.
• School Boards: School boards may be held liable for systemic failures that allow abuse to occur, such as inadequate policies for preventing or responding to sexual abuse.
• Third Parties: In some cases, outside organizations or individuals (such as volunteers, coaches, or contractors) who engage with students and have a duty of care may also be held liable if they contribute to or fail to prevent abuse.

Liability can arise under various legal theories, including:

• Negligence: Schools and staff may be held liable for failing to take reasonable steps to protect students.
• Title IX Violations: Under federal law, schools receiving federal funding must address sexual harassment and abuse. Failure to respond adequately can lead to liability.
• Civil Rights Violations: Survivors may also pursue claims under civil rights laws, especially if the abuse was based on discrimination (e.g., gender).

The following factors can influence liability:

• Knowledge of Abuse: Whether the school or its employees had prior knowledge of the abusive behavior.
• Response to Complaints: How the school responded to reports of abuse or allegations.
• Policies and Training: The existence and effectiveness of policies regarding sexual abuse prevention and reporting.

A Proven Record of Success

The Zalkin Law Firm is exclusively focused on fighting for the injured and the wronged, including sex abuse survivors and their families. Over our years in practice, we have become known as national leaders in child sex abuse litigation, and have cultivated the extensive experience, resources, and professional connections needed to successfully resolve these difficult cases.

Our award-winning trial lawyers have successfully represented clients who were abused in public schools, private schools, and religious schools, as well as survivors of campus sexual assault and abuse at colleges across the country. Examples of our case results in these matters include:

• $1.5 million settlement for a 24-year-old male abused as a minor by a public school coach.
• $1 million settlement against a religious school over child sex abuse that occurred more than 20 years ago.
• $1 million settlement on behalf of two survivors sexually abused by their elementary school teacher.
• $550,000 settlement in a childhood sexual abuse case involving a teacher at a private high school.
• $500,000 settlement for a 28-year-old male survivor abused as a minor by a teacher and coach at a religious school.

Over the course of 20 years, The Zalkin Law Firm has settled hundreds of sexual abuse cases, and has recovered millions in compensation for survivors. Our cases have had a tremendous impact on the lives of survivors and their loved ones, and have brought about needed changes and protections that help ensure schools and other organizations are held accountable when they fail to keep kids safe.