Perpetrators
When headlines like “Woman charged with 29 counts of child molestation” surface, our collective breath is stolen for a moment—but for survivors, these headlines feel like a gut punch.
Brittany Fortinberry, a 32 one year old substitute teacher for Martinsville schools and Eminence High School in Indiana.
Fortinberry is facing 29 counts:
- child molestation
- sexual misconduct with a minor
- dissemination of matter harmful to minors
- contributing to delinquency of a minor.
Andreozzi + Foote Indiana sexual abuse lawyers offer experience and a trauma-informed approach when seeking justice for our clients.
As horrifying details continue to emerge—alleging years of abuse involving multiple child victims—we must ask ourselves: What systems failed these children? And what can be done to ensure this never happens again?
Because the truth is, criminal charges alone are not enough.
The Criminal System Punishes the Abuser—But It Rarely Holds Institutions Accountable
According to police reports, Brittany Fortinberry allegedly molested several children over the course of years. While she is now facing over 29 felony charges. Her arrest alone does not answer critical questions like:
- Who knew or should have known this was happening?
- Were there warning signs?
- Were any institutions, schools, or community organizations involved—or negligent?
- Were others reporting?
These are the questions that criminal trials often fail to address—but that civil lawsuits are uniquely positioned to confront.
Why Civil Lawsuits Matter in Cases of Child Sexual Abuse
Civil litigation allows survivors and their families to seek accountability and compensation, not just from individual abusers, but also from institutions or third parties who enabled, ignored, or failed to stop the abuse.
In a civil case, survivors can:
- Uncover patterns of negligence through discovery.
- Expose institutional cover-ups or systemic failures.
- Force policy changes that protect future children.
- Secure compensation for therapy, lost educational opportunities, and lifelong trauma.
This isn’t just about financial damages—it’s about demanding change. It’s about sending a clear message that children are not disposable, and that institutions must prioritize safety over reputation.
When Women Are the Abusers, Systems Often Fail Even More Dramatically
It’s important to note how society tends to downplay female-perpetrated abuse. We’re conditioned to view women as nurturers, not predators—which often leads to minimized reporting, disbelief, or delayed responses.
This cultural bias creates an additional layer of trauma for victims, who may not be believed or taken seriously—especially if they are boys. Civil cases allow survivors to reclaim their voice, expose the truth, and challenge the dangerous stereotypes that keep abuse hidden.
The Need for Systemic Reform in Child Protection
Every case like this should serve as a wake-up call. When a person is accessing children—and abuses that access—there are almost always systemic gaps that made it possible. Whether it’s a failure to act on red flags, inadequate training, or institutions more concerned with liability than safety, these failures must be exposed and addressed.
Civil lawsuits are often the only mechanism survivors have to compel those systemic changes. They hold organizations accountable in ways the criminal justice system simply cannot.
How Can A Civil Lawsuit Help Victims Seek Justice For The Trauma They May Have Experienced By Brittany Fortinberry?
If you or someone you love has been impacted by child sexual abuse—whether by Brittany Fortinberry or in a similar case. It’s critical to know your rights. The law firm of Andreozzi + Foote represents survivors across the country in civil lawsuits against abusers and the institutions that protect them.
Our team has decades of experience advocating for survivors, and forcing institutions to change their practices so this kind of abuse is never allowed to happen again.
📞 Contact Andreozzi + Foote for a free and confidential consultation:
🌐 www.victimscivilattorneys.com
📱 Call today: (866) 311-8640
You are not alone. Your voice matters. And justice is possible—not just for you, but for every child who deserves a safer future.
