School Coach Sexual Abuse Lawyer – Legal Help for Abuse by Sports Coach

Did you suffer sexual abuse when you were a student athlete at a school? Did you child suffer sexual grooming by coaches at a school sport? If so, it is important that you know that you could have the right to file a claim against the abuser, the school, and the school district. Without a doubt, child sex abuse especially at the hands of a trusted adult like a school coach is traumatic for victims as well as their families. Our Los Angeles sex abuse lawyers are fully committed to helping survivors of child sex abuse and helping them and their families seek justice.

Here at Kenmore Law Group, our sports sexual abuse attorneys have decades of experience and are ready to take care of your claim. Our team of coach sexual abuse lawyers is not afraid to take on any liable party or entity, including the school sports coach, the school, and the school district. Contact our firm today to speak with a sexual abuse attorney for athletes as soon as possible.

The Sexual Abuse of Student Athletes

Sexual abuse refers to any unwanted sexual contact. When the victim is a minor, the abuse is considered child sexual abuse, as minors can never consent to any sexual contact. Unfortunately, child sex abuse at the hands of school coaches, coach assistants, and other school staff is very common. These individuals often have unsupervised access to young athletes during training, in locker rooms, or while traveling for away games. These adults gain the trust of young athletes and their families and eventually take advantage of the trust to abuse them. In many cases, the student athlete does not immediately report the abuse because they may not be aware that it is wrong (that is, they have been made believe that they are in a consensual relationship) or they may be afraid to speak up.

Although every case of child sex abuse can look different, sexual abuse can include the following:

• Rape and attempted rape
• Sodomy
• Kissing on the lips, mouth, or anywhere else on the body
• Groping, fondling, and any touching
• Oral sex
• Taking explicit photos or videos of the minor
• Requesting that the minor send explicit photos or videos
• Coercing the minor to participate in any sexual activity
• Making sexual jokes or comments about the minor or to the minor
• And more

If you or your child experienced any of this sexual abuse at the hands of a sports coach at school, it is important that you reach out to a lawyer for student athlete abuse as soon as possible. A Los Angeles coach abuse lawyer can help you fight for your rights.

Some Examples of School Coach Sexual Abuse

• Adjusting the student athlete’s uniform with the intention of groping or touching the minor inappropriately
• Arranging private meetings or training sessions outside of regular team activity or training, isolating the student and creating opportunities to abuse the student
• Entering locker rooms while athletes are undressing or changing
• Entering shower rooms while athletes are showering
• Initiating any contact while the athletes are in the locker rooms or showers
• Making sexual comments about the athlete’s body
• Privately messaging student athletes, sending inappropriate messages, photos, or videos, and requesting that the student sends explicit content (digital grooming)
• Isolating and abusing student athletes during team trips when there is less supervision
• Quid pro quo abuse, or offering favorable treatment, better positions, more time playing, etc. in exchange for sexual contact or sexual favors
• Engaging in “relationships” with the minor (even when the minor appears to “consenting relationship,” which is statutory rape

In some cases, the abuse is a one-time incident or it is ongoing for months or years. No matter how long the abuse happens, victims are likely to suffer extensive physical and psychological harm as a result.

Harm Caused by Sexual Abuse by Sports Coaches

The sexual abuse of minors at the hands of their sports coaches can lead to extensive physical and psychological harm which can affect survivors for years. In fact, the abuse can affect different aspects of victim’s lives for the rest of their lives. Examples of the harm that survivors of child sex abuse can experience can include the following:

• Sexually transmitted infections
• Pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications
• Injuries to reproductive organs and genitals
• Fractures, lacerations, scrapes, and bruises (caused by the use of force during the abuse)
• Psychological harm: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, panic, fear, etc.
• Increased risk of substance abuse
• Increased risk of self-harm (including suicide)

It is also important to mention that survivors of child sexual abuse can experience the effects of their abuse in different aspects of their lives, including the ability to form normal relationships, the ability to hold down a job, and more.

These are just a few examples of coach abuse effects on students. No matter the specific harm that you or your child suffered, it is important that you understand that you could pursue a claim. You should discuss the legal options available to you with a sexual abuse attorney for children. Our lawyers can guide you every step of the way.

Important Student Athlete Sexual Assault Laws to Consider

It is important for all students and parents to understand the different laws that may apply in instances of student athlete sex abuse. Our firm has been approached with some of the following questions:

• What are victims’ rights under Safe Sport Act and Title IX?
• What are the Safe Sport Act legal protections?
• What is CANRA mandated reporting in California?
• What is Title IX sexual abuse reporting?

Below, you will find a review of these different laws:

Title IX

This law applies to all schools and colleges that receive federal funding. The law prohibits sex discrimination, which include both sexual assault and sexual harassment. Key features of Title IX include the following:

• The right to report sexual abuse
• Prompt investigation of reports of sexual abuse
• Supportive measures for affected students, including academic accommodation, counseling, schedule changes, and more
• Protection from retaliation
• Fair process while investigating reports
• Establishes institutional liability (schools can be held responsible for ignoring complaints as well as mishandling complaints)

In short, this law provides students with the right to learn in a safe environment free from any sexual abuse or sexual harassment, and schools are responsible for taking immediate action to protect students.

Safe Sport Act

This law passed in 2018 in response to a high-profile abuse scandal involving the USA Gymnastics team. The law primarily applies to amateur athletes in USOPC organizations or in national governing bodies. Key features of the Safe Sport Act include the following:

• Mandatory reporting (trainers, coaches, and other adults working with youth athletes must make reports of suspected abuse to law enforcement within 24 hours)
• Athletes cannot be retaliated against if they make reports
• Organizations must adopt polices to prevent abuse, like limited private interactions and digital communications (fostering a safe environment, in general)

In short, this law gives youth athletes a right (on the federal level) to a safe environment and makes reporting sexual abuse mandatory.

CANRA – California Child Abuse and Negligent Reporting Act

This law is relevant to mandated reporters and the different adults responsible to reporting suspected abuse. Key points include the following:

• Identifies the mandated reporters (the people who are legally required to report suspected child abuse) as teachers, school staff employed by school/district, administrators, and more
• All mandated reporters have a duty to immediately report suspected abuse to law enforcement or CPS by phone, as well as the duty to make a written report within 36 hours
• Mandated reporters can make reports based on “reasonable suspicion” and do not need to provide any proof through investigation
• Mandated reporters are protected from any liability/lawsuit if their report is made in good faith
• Mandated reporters who fail to report suspected abuse can face a number of penalties, including misdemeanor charges, fines, and loss of credentials

In short, school staff is legally obligated to report suspected child abuse, including child sex abuse.

For more information about these laws and how they may apply to your situation, it is important that you reach out to a sexual misconduct lawyer for schools as soon as possible. Our lawyers are committed to help you reach justice.

Who is Liable for Abuse in School Athletics Programs?

Schools and school districts have the duty to ensure that their students, including student athletes, are safe while they are on campus and participating in any school related activities. To ensure the safety of students, schools/districts must subject all their staff to background checks, training, and supervision. This applies to prospective employees as well as existing employees. There should also be clear policies and procedures in place and methods for students and their parents to make reports. Of course, these reports must be taken seriously and should be properly investigated. In general, sexual abuse of student athletes occurs because of the failures of the everyone who is supposed to be protecting students, including staff, administration, the school, and the district.

If you have questions about liability and on holding schools accountable for coach abuse suffered by student athletes, do not hesitate to reach out to a Los Angeles sexual abuse attorney for minors today.

Sex Abuse Attorney California Addressing Common Questions

Without a doubt, taking legal action for sexual abuse in youth athletics can seem very confusing and intimidating. Below, we will review some common questions relevant to coach sexual abuse litigation in Los Angeles.

What to do if your child is abused by a coach: if your child is sexually abused by a coach, the first thing that you should do is to contact the local authorities and make a report. In some cases, your child will need to be medically evaluated by a professional to gather evidence (that is, a rape kit may be required). You should also make a written report with the school and with the school district. Soon after, you should reach out to an experienced child sex abuse lawyer.

How to sue a coach for sexual abuse in California: without a doubt, school coaches that sexually abuse minors should be held accountable. The abuser may face criminal charges; however, it is important to note that they could also face civil claims. In general, the coach will be named in the sexual abuse lawsuit in addition to the school and the school district. Reaching out to an experienced sports school sex abuse lawyer will provide you with additional clarification.

Can I sue a school for hiding sexual abuse? Yes, when school staff actively hid the sexual abuse of a student, they could be sued. When schools engage in hiding or attempting to hide abuse, claimants become eligible to receive treble damages.

Speak to Our Experienced Attorneys Helping Victims of Coach Sexual Abuse in California

If you or your child suffered sexual abuse in youth sports in a California school, it is important that you understand that you could pursue a claim to fight for justice. Unfortunately, school coach child sex abuse is common in our schools. Our firm is committed to helping survivors of child sex abuse get justice and recover the compensation that they are owed. You are not alone. Contact our California sex abuse lawyers for school sports as soon as possible.

We understand how difficult it is for survivors and their families to come forward and seek the help of a lawyer for athletic sexual assault. To make this difficult time just a bit easier for victims and their families, our firm offers free case reviews, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our experts will be available to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and provide you with all the information that you need to sue the school if you were sexually abused by your coach. To schedule a free case review, contact our team today.

Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will never be required to pay any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. In addition, our law firm works on a strict contingency structure, meaning that you will not be responsible for paying any legal cost if your claim is ultimately not successful.

To discuss your claim with the best attorney for coach sexual abuse in Los Angeles, contact us today.