Search Results for: Jerry Sandusky

Child Sexual Abuse in Arizona Schools

Our Arizona sexual abuse attorneys have extensive experience bringing cases against private and public schools, school districts, bus companies, colleges, and universities throughout the country. We hold educational institutions that enable sexual abuse and assault accountable through civil litigation.

If you or a loved one are a victim of school sexual abuse, call us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at 866-311-8640, or contact us online.

Private School Sexual Abuse.
Children are sadly vulnerable to sexual abuse in private schools. We have experience handling cases brought against private schools for their failure to protect children from sexual abuse by teachers, coaches, staff, volunteers, and other students.
Public School Sexual Abuse.
Children are vulnerable to sexual abuse in our public schools. Public school sexual abuse cases are often legally difficult to prove, but we have experience handling cases brought against public schools for their failure to protect children from sexual abuse by teachers, coaches, staff, volunteers, and other students.
School Bus/Transportation Sexual Abuse.
Children are often poorly supervised on the bus to and from school, field trips, or other school activities. Because of this reality, children are vulnerable to sexual abuse on school buses and other school transportation. This could include sexual abuse by a school or bus company employee, or by another student. Often, school bus sexual abuse is captured on video camera, which is only preserved for a short time, so it is imperative that you act quickly. We have experience handling cases brought against bus companies that transport students and fail to protect them from sexual abuse.

Sexual Abuse in Arizona College and University

Our firm is best known for representing more than a dozen of Jerry Sandusky’s victims in claims against Penn State. As the Sandusky/Penn State scandal proved, children are vulnerable to sexual abuse at universities and colleges by coaches, professors, staff, and other students.

Our lawyers have extensive experience handling cases brought against colleges and universities. We have the resources to take on any college or university, even America’s largest educational institutions, like Penn State.

Looking For Justice, Closure, And Answers?

Speak in Confidence with a Arizona Attorney

It can be hard to take this first step. That is why we offer compassionate, confidential, and free case assessments. Learn what to expect or give us a call at 866-311-8640 to get started. You can also reach us online and we will respond promptly.

We have provided guidance and discrete legal counsel to clients nationwide in many major metropolitan areas & states, including:

Child Sexual Abuse in Colorado Universities & Schools

Our Colorado sexual abuse attorneys have extensive experience bringing cases against private and public schools, school districts, bus companies, colleges, and universities throughout the country. We hold educational institutions that enable sexual abuse and assault accountable through civil litigation.

If you or a loved one are a victim of school sexual abuse, call us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at 866-311-8640, or contact us online.

Private School Sexual Abuse.
Children are sadly vulnerable to sexual abuse in private schools. We have experience handling cases brought against private schools for their failure to protect children from sexual abuse by teachers, coaches, staff, volunteers, and other students.
Public School Sexual Abuse.
Children are vulnerable to sexual abuse in our public schools. Public school sexual abuse cases are often legally difficult to prove, but we have experience handling cases brought against public schools for their failure to protect children from sexual abuse by teachers, coaches, staff, volunteers, and other students.
School Bus/Transportation Sexual Abuse.
Children are often poorly supervised on the bus to and from school, field trips, or other school activities. Because of this reality, children are vulnerable to sexual abuse on school buses and other school transportation. This could include sexual abuse by a school or bus company employee, or by another student. Often, school bus sexual abuse is captured on video camera, which is only preserved for a short time, so it is imperative that you act quickly. We have experience handling cases brought against bus companies that transport students and fail to protect them from sexual abuse.

Sexual Abuse in Colorado College and University

Looking For Justice, Closure, And Answers? Speak in Confidence with a Colorado Attorney

We have provided guidance and discrete legal counsel to clients nationwide in many major metropolitan areas & states, including:

Child Sexual Abuse in New Jersey Schools

Our New Jersey sexual abuse attorneys have extensive experience bringing cases against private and public schools, school districts, bus companies, colleges, and universities throughout the country. We hold educational institutions that enable sexual abuse and assault accountable through civil litigation.

If you or a loved one are a victim of school sexual abuse, call us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at 866-311-8640, or contact us online.

Private School Sexual Abuse.
Children are sadly vulnerable to sexual abuse in private schools. We have experience handling cases brought against private schools for their failure to protect children from sexual abuse by teachers, coaches, staff, volunteers, and other students.
Public School Sexual Abuse.
Children are vulnerable to sexual abuse in our public schools. Public school sexual abuse cases are often legally difficult to prove, but we have experience handling cases brought against public schools for their failure to protect children from sexual abuse by teachers, coaches, staff, volunteers, and other students.
School Bus/Transportation Sexual Abuse.
Children are often poorly supervised on the bus to and from school, field trips, or other school activities. Because of this reality, children are vulnerable to sexual abuse on school buses and other school transportation. This could include sexual abuse by a school or bus company employee, or by another student. Often, school bus sexual abuse is captured on video camera, which is only preserved for a short time, so it is imperative that you act quickly. We have experience handling cases brought against bus companies that transport students and fail to protect them from sexual abuse.

Sexual Abuse in New Jersey College and University

Looking For Justice, Closure, And Answers? Speak in Confidence with a New Jersey Attorney

We have provided guidance and discrete legal counsel to clients nationwide in many major metropolitan areas & states, including:

Child Sexual Abuse in New York Schools

Our New York sexual abuse attorneys have extensive experience bringing cases against private and public schools, school districts, bus companies, colleges, and universities throughout the country. We hold educational institutions that enable sexual abuse and assault accountable through civil litigation.

If you or a loved one are a victim of school sexual abuse, call us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at 866-694-2307, or contact us online.

Private School Sexual Abuse.
Children are sadly vulnerable to sexual abuse in private schools. We have experience handling cases brought against private schools for their failure to protect children from sexual abuse by teachers, coaches, staff, volunteers, and other students.
Public School Sexual Abuse.
Children are vulnerable to sexual abuse in our public schools. Public school sexual abuse cases are often legally difficult to prove, but we have experience handling cases brought against public schools for their failure to protect children from sexual abuse by teachers, coaches, staff, volunteers, and other students.
School Bus/Transportation Sexual Abuse.
Children are often poorly supervised on the bus to and from school, field trips, or other school activities. Because of this reality, children are vulnerable to sexual abuse on school buses and other school transportation. This could include sexual abuse by a school or bus company employee, or by another student. Often, school bus sexual abuse is captured on video camera, which is only preserved for a short time, so it is imperative that you act quickly. We have experience handling cases brought against bus companies that transport students and fail to protect them from sexual abuse.

Sexual Abuse in New York College College and University

Looking For Justice, Closure, And Answers? Speak in Confidence with a New York Attorney

It can be hard to take this first step. That is why we offer compassionate, confidential, and free case assessments. Learn what to expect or give us a call at 866-694-2307 to get started. You can also reach us online and we will respond promptly.

We have provided guidance and discrete legal counsel to clients nationwide in many major metropolitan areas & states, including:

School Sexual Abuse Lawyers

What Is Sexual Abuse In A School Setting?

While sexual abuse happens at all ages, some groups are at higher risk, for school-age children RAINN reports that victims under 18

One in 9 girls and 1 in 53 boys under 18 experience sexual abuse or assault at the hands of an adult.
2 out of 3 sexual abuse victims are between the ages of 12-17.
82% of all victims under 18 are female.
Females ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.

Sexual abuse in a school setting can take many different forms, but it generally involves any type of unwanted sexual behavior that occurs between a student and an adult in a school or educational setting.

Sexual abuse can include physical contact, such as touching or fondling of sexual body parts, rubbing up against someone, kissing, penetration of any kind however slight, and any other sexual contact, it can also include non-physical behaviors, such as sexual comments, harassment, jokes, stalking, or gestures either verbally or orally.

Sexual abuse can also include producing, owning, or sharing pornographic images or movies of children.

Sexual abuse can also include coercion or manipulation by an adult to engage in sexual behavior, such as threats or promises in exchange for sexual favors. It is important to note that sexual abuse is never the fault of the victim, and it is always the responsibility of adults in a school setting to ensure that students are safe and protected from any type of abuse or harm.

There are often misperceptions and stereotypes when sexual abuse is reported among teenagers and teachers, often the sexual abuse is referred to in consensual ways such as headlines that read, “Teacher dating student or Teacher and student having an affair or having sex” It is vital to remember that children are children until the age of 18 and they cannot legally consent to sex with an adult.

When you factor in the power dynamics between teachers, coaches, and school administrators, it is deeply problematic to misrepresent these cases of sexual abuse as anything but that.

We also often see these misperceptions when the adult is a female and the victim is a male, those cases are often referred to as love affairs or inappropriate relationship when they are illegal and sexual abuse under the law.

Who Are The Most Common Perpetrators?

The U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics reported that approximately 7 percent of male students and 2 percent of female students reported experiencing sexual misconduct by a teacher or other school employee during their lifetime.

The most common perpetrators of sexual abuse in schools are adults in positions of authority or trust over the students, such as teachers, coaches, counselors, and other staff members.

These individuals may use their power and influence to manipulate or coerce students into engaging in sexual activities, or they may take advantage of their access to students to engage in inappropriate behavior.

There is no clear evidence to suggest that one group of school staff members, such as teachers or coaches, are more likely to sexually abuse students than another category. However, some studies found that male coaches were significantly more likely to report engaging in boundary-violating behaviors, such as touching or hugging their athletes, than female coaches.

Research shows coaches may be more likely to engage in boundary-violating behaviors than other school staff members due to the close physical contact and emotional relationships that can develop between coaches and athletes.

Additionally, coaches may be more likely to have access to students outside of the school setting, such as during travel or training events, which can create opportunities for abuse.

It is important to note that sexual abuse is always wrong, regardless of who the perpetrator is, and that schools should have policies and procedures to prevent and address any allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct by staff members.

Another category of perpetrators of sexual abuse in school settings comes in the form of peer-on-peer sexual abuse. The prevalence of peer sexual abuse in schools can be difficult to measure, as many incidents may go unreported or unrecognized. However, research suggests that peer sexual abuse is a relatively common problem in schools.

According to a 2009 article in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, rates of peer sexual assault were high, ranging from 26% of high school boys to 51% of high school girls. The school was the most common location of peer sexual victimization.

It is important to note that these figures are likely underestimates, as many students may not report incidents of sexual abuse or may not consider certain behaviors to be abusive. Additionally, peer sexual abuse can occur at any age and in any type of school setting, from elementary schools to colleges and universities.

Schools need to have policies and procedures in place for addressing peer sexual abuse, and for providing support and resources to child sex abuse victims of abuse.

Where Does School Sexual Abuse Happen?

Sexual abuse can occur on school grounds such as classrooms, hallways, and bathrooms, during school-sponsored activities, during transportation to and from school, field trips, athletic practices, away games, weight rooms, showers, off-campus in private homes, vehicles, summer camps, before and after school programs, at all levels of school from K-12, in daycare settings and college campuses.

Sexual abuse can happen anywhere opportunity and access present themselves. With the increase in online learning and virtual classrooms, sexual abuse may occur through online communication, such as chat rooms, social media, or video conferencing.

Often, sexual abuse is done in private with no witnesses or if it’s done in public it’s hidden, i.e., a hand on a thigh under a table or in the back of the bus when no one is looking, etc. but those are rare cases, most perpetrators wait for moments when their child sex abuse victims are alone.

This makes it harder for students to come forward as they feel no one will believe them, especially when the perpetrator is well known and well-liked as many perpetrators are, this is a part of the grooming that perpetrators engage in with the victim and the community.

What Are The Legal Responsibilities Of School Staff?

School staff has always had legal responsibilities regarding preventing and reporting sexual abuse and misconduct involving students. Since the revelations of many major cover-ups in educational settings such as the Jerry Sandusky and Larry Nassar cases, requirements for school officials have increased. The specific legal responsibilities can vary by jurisdiction, but here are some general guidelines:

Mandatory Reporting.

All school staff is considered mandated reporters, which means that they are legally required to report any suspected child abuse or known incidents of child abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, to the appropriate authorities.

In the past, it use to be that school staff could just report to a supervisor or another staff member and this is one of the reasons so many school cases were never properly reported or covered up. Proper authorities are considered state childline reporting entities and law enforcement.

Failure to report can result in legal consequences such as criminal fines and civil liabilities.

Check your state’s laws to learn more. According to the Department of Child Welfare, approximately 49 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands impose penalties on mandatory reporters who knowingly or willfully fail to make a report when they suspect that a child is being sexually abused or neglected.

Depending upon the state you can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony and face fines from $300 – $10,000 and serve anywhere from 30 days to 10 years in prison.

In Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, New York, and Rhode Island not only can mandated reporters be charged criminally but they may be civilly liable for any damages caused by the failure to report, meaning an impacted person can file a civil claims lawsuit against not just the school but the individual employee.

School Abuse Prevention

Schools must take steps to prevent sexual abuse and misconduct from occurring. This may include providing education and training to staff and students on how to recognize and prevent sexual abuse, establishing clear policies and procedures for reporting and investigating allegations of abuse, and conducting background checks on all school employees.

Schools should provide education and training to staff, students, and parents on the warning signs of sexual abuse, the importance of reporting incidents, and appropriate boundaries between adults and students.

Schools should also have clear policies and procedures for reporting and investigating allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct, as well as for preventing and addressing inappropriate behavior. These policies and procedures should be posted in multiple places on their webpage, in the school, sent home to the parents, and well communicated often to all.

Conducting thorough background checks on all school employees, volunteers, and contractors, including criminal history checks and reference checks is required in most states and should be done for any person in the school that may remotely engage children at all.

When trying to prevent sexual abuse the more eyes on any situation, the better, supervision and monitoring are essential. Schools must ensure that all adults who interact with students are supervised and monitored, especially in situations where one-on-one interactions are possible.

When students are impacted by sexual abuse there must be support and resources for students, including counseling services and referrals to outside resources. To determine when the unwanted sexual contact abuse have occurred, schools must have proper reporting and investigation protocols in place that are transparent and done with clear guidelines for reporting to law enforcement and child protection agencies.

So many of the acts of covering up child sexual abuse in schools have come from a lack of clear reporting channels and ensuring that no one person has sole authority to handle sexual abuse investigations. There should be multiple staff who are aware of and involved in accusations of sexual abuse and the proper authorities must be notified. Period.

Policies and procedures are only as good as they are known and used. Schools must engage in continuous confidential review and update policies and procedures related to sexual abuse prevention and response to ensure they are effective and up-to-date with current best practices and legal requirements.

This should be done annually and with all staff and students engaged. Students should be engaged because they are the ones impacted the most, they should have a degree of input into the services given to them and fully understand the policies and procedures.

School Abuse Response

If an incident of sexual abuse or misconduct is reported or suspected, the school must take immediate action to investigate and respond appropriately. This may include involving law enforcement, conducting an internal investigation, and providing support to the victim and their family. The process should be trauma-informed and truly center on the needs of the survivor or impacted person(s).

This can be done by ensuring someone is there to navigate the survivor through the entire process, explaining the next steps, preparing them for any interviews or hearings, and providing general supportive measures and services.

Survivors and impacted persons should be given as many legal options as possible during the entire response and as best as possible, the burden should not sit with them to feel safe at school which is more often the case.

Typically if the accused person is an adult they are removed from the school environment, and usually placed on either leave (paid or unpaid) pending the investigation. When the accused person is a peer in school, this is where things can get a bit more challenging, and special thought should be given to the impacted students’ emotional and physical safety. Typically students who are accused of sexual abuse at school are not removed from the school unless there are extreme circumstances.

In these instances, there should be things like mutual no-contact orders put in place, the ability for schedule changes to avoid contact in the school settings, etc. There should be strict anti-retaliation policies in place to avoid bullying from others and further harassment or threat from the accused.

If the accused is found to be responsible for the acts either through the Title IX process or the juvenile justice process, the survivor’s needs should be centered. This could include suspending the student and or requiring a transfer to another school rather than having the survivor have to find another school. This has been codified into law in some states.

Confidentiality.

While maintaining confidentiality is important, schools must balance the need for confidentiality with the need to protect the safety and well-being of students. School staff should report any suspected or known incidents of sexual abuse to the appropriate authorities, even if it means breaching confidentiality. Transparency is important for schools when students come forward about confidentiality.

There should be many confidential resources provided for survivors so that they may have safe spaces to process the impact of not only the offenses against them but also the impact of the systems that get involved and the various processes survivors may be required to participate in such as interviews, hearings, trials, etc. Those various systems can have just as big of an emotional injuries and emotional distress on survivors as the abuse itself.

Civil attorneys are fully confidential resources for sexual abuse survivors and their loved ones during any of these various processes.

How Can A School Be Held Accountable For Sexual Abuse?

Schools can and should be held accountable for sexual abuse through a variety of legal mechanisms, including civil suit, criminal charges, and regulatory actions with the help of a school sexual abuse lawyer.

If a school is found to have failed to adequately respond to reports of sexual abuse, or if they have not taken appropriate steps to prevent sexual abuse from occurring in the first place, regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education or state education agencies may investigate and sanction schools for failing to comply with Title IX and other laws related to sexual abuse and harassment.

This can result in legal liability for the institution, including the possibility of financial penalties and other legal consequences.

Sexual abuse victims may also file civil lawsuits, with the assistance of school sexual abuse lawyers, against schools who were responsible for the victim’s care. The most common lawsuits against schools involve failing to properly supervise students, failing to properly screen employees, and negligent retention of employees.

Failure to supervise cases frequently involve inadequate staffing ratios or negligence in overseeing students who were known to be a danger. Failure to screen often involves neglecting to do an appropriate background check on an employee.

Finally, negligent retention cases involve failing to take appropriate disciplinary actions against an employee.

In most states, private schools are held to a different legal standard than public schools. Most states provide some form of “immunity” to public schools making civil cases against them more difficult, but usually not impossible.

Often sexual abuse attorneys will pursue federal claims against public schools if they are afforded some level of immunity from civil lawsuits. It is important to consult with an experienced civil attorney to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of pursuing a state or federal lawsuit against a school.

What Is Title IX And How Is It Applied?

College Campus Sexual Abuse

According to RAINN women ages 18-24 are at an elevated risk of sexual violence and some of that has to do with being on a college campus.

Sexual violence on campus is pervasive.

13% of all students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation (among all graduate and undergraduate students).
Among graduate and professional students, 9.7% of females and 2.5% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.
5.8% of students have experienced stalking since entering college.
Among undergraduate students, 26.4% of females and 6.8% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.

Student or not, college-age adults are at high risk for sexual violence.

Male college-aged students (18-24) are 78% more likely than non-students of the same age to be a victim of rape or sexual assault.
Female college-aged students (18-24) are 20% less likely than non-students of the same age to be a victim of rape or sexual assault.

Title IX On College Campuses

Title IX is a federal law in the United States that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. It was signed into law in 1972 and applies to all educational institutions that receive federal funding, including colleges and universities.

On a college campus, Title IX requires institutions to take steps to prevent and address sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence. This includes providing resources and support to survivors of sexual violence, stalking, and interpersonal violence, conducting investigations into reports of sexual misconduct, and holding individuals accountable for violating institutional policies.

Every college campus has a Title IX Coordinator, these positions vary greatly from institution to institution, some are stand-alone offices while others are buried within another job position as a duty, i.e., a Human Resource Director or Dean or other positions.

It is considered best practice to have a full-time dedicated Title IX person so they are solely focused on assisting impacted persons and can fully facilitate not only the process of ushering someone through the Title IX procedures but also to ensure everyone on campus understands Title IX and complies.

While college sexual violence is one of the most underreported crimes, schools have a duty to ensure Title IX is known throughout the campus and is offered to every impacted student. If that process is not fully provided, schools can be held legally accountable for not protecting students from sexual abuse if they have failed to meet their obligations under Title IX. All colleges have a legal responsibility to prevent and address sexual harassment and sexual assault on their campuses and to provide a safe environment for all students.

If a college fails to adequately respond to reports of sexual abuse, or if they do not take appropriate steps to prevent sexual abuse from occurring in the first place, they may be found to be in violation of Title IX and other laws. This can result in legal liability for the public and private institutions, including the possibility of financial penalties and other legal action.

All colleges and universities must have clear policies and procedures in place for addressing sexual abuse and to take swift and appropriate action when such incidents occur.

Title IX In K-12

The same federal requirements apply to all public schools and private schools receiving federal funding. One major difference between college and K-12 Title IX is who is involved. In college sexual abuse cases as long as the victim is over 18 years old, they get to engage in the process without any outside involvement from parents, caregivers, or any local law enforcement or officials.

The same cannot and should be said for K-12, when a minor is involved in any allegation of sexual abuse there are often other reporting requirements as we have discussed above. In many instances, the school will have to report the child abuse to Childline and or other authorities for further investigation and pursue justice if necessary.

Sexual Abuse In Sports & Youth Organizations

Sexual predators use sports leagues, organizations, and activities to sexually abuse children due to the level of access and opportunity these organizations give them.

Several national scandals have shown how vulnerable children are to abuse by a trusted sports coach or advisor, from former disgraced Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky to USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who abused countless children under the guise of training, guiding and treatment or the Boy Scouts of America who have sexual abuse claims dating back as far as 1979 and as recent as 2006. There were over 92,000 sexual abuse claims filed against the Boy Scouts of America.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport in 2019 found that approximately 8% of youth athletes participating in Olympic and amateur sports in the United States reported experiencing some form of sexual abuse or misconduct. This survey involved over 21,000 respondents, making it one of the largest studies on this topic.

While sports should be a place for our young people to grow, thrive and create connections to the community, studies indicate 40% to 50% of athletes have experienced anything from mild harassment to severe abuse.
It is important to note that the prevalence of sexual abuse can vary across sports, age groups, and regions. Certain sports that involve close physical contact or situations where adults have unsupervised access to children may pose higher risks. Additionally, factors such as power imbalances, inadequate safeguarding policies, and a culture of silence can contribute to the perpetration and concealment of sexual abuse.

We are an educated, experienced, and trauma-informed team of attorneys with years of experience handling complex cases involving the full cost of emotional and physical recovery from the damages of sexual assault.

Where Does Sexual Abuse Happen Within Youth Sports and Recreational Leagues?

Swim clubs
Gymnastics clubs
Dance studios
Little league sports
High school sports leagues
Community Recreational and Club Teams
Boy scouts
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Equestrian Clubs and Other Competitions
Sports Camps and other overnight or day camps

Sadly, we have seen mentors, coaches, trainers, doctors and others in positions of authority abuse the trust placed in them. It is vital that children are protected from abusers, and that starts with holding these organizations accountable for their failure to protect children in their care.

Signs of Sexual Abuse in Youth Serving Organizations

While signs and symptoms of abuse vary from person to person there are some key indicators to look out for in the area of sports and youth service organizations. These include but are not limited to:

Missing Practices
No Longer Wanting to Attend
Sudden Dislike of a Particular Coach, Mentor, etc.
Fear of Being Alone in These Environments
Changes in Appetite, Behaviour, and Personality
Substance Use
Disordered Eating or Negative Body Image
HyperSexualized Activity or Talk
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Hiding Things or Keeping Secrets
Gifts or Favors Received
Heightened Interest in Your Child
Extra Practice, Attention, etc. Your Child is Receiving
Frequent Contact with Child

Please see our Parents/Survivors Resource Guide for comprehensive tools for what to look for, how to respond, and more.

Preventing Sexual Abuse in Sports & Youth Serving Organizations

The best way to prevent sexual abuse from impacting your family and loved ones is first to understand the prevalence of sexual abuse in sports and youth-serving organizations and then talk about it with your loved ones. This can be done in a manner that does not create fear but rather empowers the family to protect itself and others from this type of harm. Just like we teach children to look both ways before crossing a street and to always wear a seatbelt, we must incorporate knowledge of and tools to prevent sexual abuse as it is far more prevalent that getting into a car accident. Much of this awareness begins with basic conversations around sexuality which can be difficult for many parents, however, remaining silent or avoiding these conversations just opens the door for others to misinform, manipulate or confuse your child. If you do not have these conversations early and often, your child will not trust that you are a person they can come to for guidance. You must equip your child with information about grooming techniques and things to look out for so they feel more secure and confident in their own understanding and ability to speak up when behaviors may cross boundaries. Talk to your child in age-appropriate ways about these forms of abuse, teach them about their bodies, teach them about consent, and how to recognize the signs that someone may be attempting to gain their trust for the wrong reasons. Talk about these things often, and normalize the discussion so that if the child has questions and encounters grooming, they are more likely to recognize it and report it immediately. Make sure you have parental controls on all their accessible devices so you limit what they can be exposed to and filter out adult sites and spaces online. Try to never shame, blame, or guilt your child into ever thinking there is anything they could have done or should do to avoid abuse. The blame always lies with the abuser-period. Create safe spaces for your child to learn about boundaries and how to verbalize them.

Encourage your child to report any suspected signs of abuse immediately whether they are the target or their peers are.

How To Emotionally Support Child Sex Abuse Victims

When a child bravely discloses sexual abuse, as a parent or caregiver, you are thrown into a tornado of emotions. It is overwhelming and emotional to hear that someone you care about, especially a child, may have been harmed in this way. You may have your emotional response without even realizing it. If you have past trauma in any way, it can very easily trigger your emotional response from your past. Be mindful of this. First thing, breathe deeply in and out a few times to help center yourself before you speak or react. Try to stay as calm as possible, children take their cues from adults. If you are immediately angered or show signs of extreme emotional duress, the child will feel that and could very well shut down out of fear of hurting you or making you mad. The words and actions that follow a child’s disclosure can make a world of difference in their overall healing. Our Parents/Survivors Guide offers excellent resources to help walk you through how to respond to your loved one.

What Can I Do If I Suspect Abuse in Sports & Youth Organizations?

Talk with your loved one, let them know they are not alone and that what happened to them is not their fault. Try to get as much information as you possibly can, remove your loved one from the environment, document as much as you can, and report the abuse immediately to your local law enforcement and any other entity including the organization and any federal, state, or local regulatory bodies.

How do I Know If I Have a Case?

At Andreozzi + Foote, we have spent decades thoroughly researching and actively engaging state laws, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures across the country to help you and your family determine if you have a case against the perpetrator or organization. Statutes of limitations and immunity clauses can also serve as a barrier to holding institutions accountable and only trained and experienced attorneys understand the unique nuances of these laws and have to craft creative filings to help you and your family get the desired result you are seeking.

If you or someone you know has suffered sexual abuse or assault, please don’t stay silent. Andreozzi + Foote can help you fight back and ensure the perpetrators pay for their crimes. Call us at 866-311-8640 or reach us online for a free and confidential assessment of your case.

Child Sexual Abuse in Foster Care Lawyers

Child sexual abuse in foster care settings is a grave and distressing issue that demands immediate attention and intervention. Perpetrators within the system exploit their positions of trust, inflicting irreparable harm on vulnerable children. Authorities must rigorously investigate and address any suspicions or reports of abuse to ensure the safety and well-being of these innocent victims. When they fail to do so, Andreozzi + Foote can step in.

Recent Case

A case out of Oregon in 2023 illustrates the power of survivors bringing forth civil lawsuits against entities responsible for overseeing foster care homes. The victim asserts the Department of Human Services neglected its duty to protect her when placing her in multiple homes. As a result, she suffered sexual and physical abuse.

When children are in the care of a state, county, or private children and youth services agency, that organization must ensure the children are protected. In her case, the state of Oregon failed. T

Cases like this one often result in significant verdicts and settlements for victims of childhood sexual abuse in foster care. She is seeking up to $15 million in damages. In one high-profile case, a victim received $30 million in a claim against the Giarretto Institute, a private foster family agency. The institute failed to screen the victim’s foster parents adequately, and as a result, sexual abuse occurred. This scenario is, unfortunately, all too familiar.

Contact Us

Andreozzi + Foote successfully represents victims of child sexual abuse in foster care. Our firm specializes in representing victims of sexual, violent, and financial crimes in civil lawsuits. We represent victims in all types of cases, including high-profile cases like Jerry Sandusky, Catholic Church Abuse, and Boy Scouts.

Practice Areas

Childhood sexual abuse leaves victims with deep scars. For many sexual abuse survivors, it takes decades to work through the complex mix of confusion, anger, shame and depression caused by their abuse. In many cases, it takes decades for childhood sexual abuse victims to even admit what happened to them. Some victims never come forward. Child sexual abuse is unfortunately far too common. Institutions that are entrusted with protecting children from sexual abuse often fail to adequately supervise children in their care. From our locations in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and Arizona, we at Andreozzi + Foote represent clients throughout the nation in holding those who enable childhood sexual abuse responsible.

Ready To Take On Powerful Organizations

If you or a loved one has been the victim of childhood sexual abuse, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the institutions responsible for allowing the sexual abuse to occur. This may include a church, school, day care or foster care agency that failed to screen a perpetrator. Civil justice for child sexual abuse victims gives survivors closure, and provides the financial resources for victims to obtain the counseling and support they need to rebuild their lives. Holding institutions that enable abuse accountable is also critical in preventing future acts of abuse.

Our firm frequently accepts referrals from other lawyers across the US who are familiar with our experience with these difficult cases.

Looking To Take Action?

In our experience, institutions that are willing to cover up abuse often do so repeatedly. If you suffered abuse as a child, you are likely not alone. Concerned family members and survivors rely on our substantial experience in holding a wide range of institutions accountable.

We have effectively resolved child sexual abuse cases in a wide range of settings, including:

Educational institutions — Private and public institutions, from grade schools to universities, can be sued for sexual abuse and assault perpetrated by teachers, employees, students or third parties, even when the abuse occurred off school grounds or the victim was not a student of the school. Our firm represented 11 of Jerry Sandusky’s victims against Penn State.
Daycare settings — Sexual abuse is often perpetrated by the very people who are supposed to protect children. We have handled dozens of cases of children abused by child care employees or volunteers, and by foster parents or others in a foster home. We have helped clients seek damages from day cares and foster placement agencies.
Religious institutions — Child predators often use positions in religious institutions to psychologically and spiritually manipulate victims. Such positions allow predators unquestioned access to vulnerable children. Clergy abuse cases are some of the most emotionally charged and sensitive, especially when the church turns its back on the victim, fails to accept accountability or shelters a serial child abuser.
Youth organizations and sports leagues — Organizations catering to youths, such as the Boy Scouts and athletic leagues, often attract child predators. Counselors, coaches and other adults should be subject to rigorous background checks and other protections before they are entrusted with supervision of children.

The First Step Toward Justice Is A Confidential Consultation

Our attorneys handle cases throughout the US. If you or a loved one has suffered from childhood sexual abuse, please contact us to arrange a free, confidential consultation to discuss your legal options. Call us toll free at 866-311-8640 or contact us online.

Sexual Abuse Verdicts & Settlements

We pride ourselves on helping our clients regain their sense of empowerment through success in the civil litigation process. Here are a just a few examples of our success.

2019

In 2019, we represented almost two dozen child sexual abuse victims who obtained settlements from the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg. The Diocese paid out $12,000,000 dollars to victims of clergy sexual abuse. Learn more.

We also resolved a case on behalf of a young male child sexual abuse survivor child against the local chapter of a nationally renowned youth-serving organization for a confidential seven-figure sum.

In December 2019, we resolved a case against a renowned health-care institution on behalf of nearly twenty victims for more than $10,000,000.

Throughout 2019, we obtained millions in settlements from a variety of other institutions, including many of Pennsylvania’s Catholic Dioceses.

2018

In September 2018, we won an appeal against a school district on behalf of a young man who was sexually abused by and father a child with his teacher’s aide. A federal judge previously dismissed the case. We convinced the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to reinstate the case. Learn more.

In June 2018, we won a $1.53 million-dollar verdict on behalf of a teenaged boy sexually abused while residing in a facility run by Visionquestion National, Ltd., which runs facilities for at-risk youth across the country.

In March 2018, we obtained a $1.75 million-dollar verdict on behalf of a murder victim shot dead inside a bar. We proved the bar botched its security measures, leading to the fatal shooting. The jury apportioned 90% of the responsibility for the murder on the bar. Learn more.

2017

In the summer of 2017, we settled a case on behalf of a young woman who was sexually abused by her youth pastor for a confidential seven-figure sum.

In January 2017, we obtained a record-setting $88 million-dollar verdict on behalf of a child sex abuse victim in Pennsylvania state court. The verdict was one of the largest verdicts in the United States that year. Learn more.

Prior Years

We have represented many, many child sexual abuse survivors in cases against large institutions. From 2011 until recently, for example, we represented many of Jerry Sandusky’s abuse victims against Penn State University. Penn State has paid more than $100,000,000 to Sandusky’s victims. Learn more.