Sexual Abuse by a Jiu Jitsu Instructor Lawsuit Attorney

The martial arts system known as jiu jitsu was founded in Japan thousands of years ago, but the original style of defense and combat evolved into other systems over the years, including Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ), which is very popular in the United States. You can also find classes for MMA (mixed martial arts), aikido, judo, and other martial arts that are clearly based on jiu jitsu.

Learning the right technique and developing skills on and off the matt require instruction from a professional teacher. For some students, a jiu jitsu instructor becomes a lifelong teacher, friend, and mentor. This is particularly true if the child is struggling at school or with difficult situations at home, or they need help with focus, attention, and discipline. Sadly, there are instructors who abuse their role in a student’s life for the purpose of sexual gratification. As a result, an innocent child is left with feelings of shame, guilt, and anger. This can cause significant disruptions in their ability to live a happy and fulfilling life.

Did you experience sexual abuse while you were attending classes at a martial arts studio? This can include incidents of sexual assault, whether you were forcibly raped or groomed into a sexual relationship. Or, you may have been solicited for sexual photos and other favors by a jiu jitsu instructor. There are many forms of sexual abuse that can be perpetrated on a child, and survivors need help when it comes to their rights and legal options. Our legal experts are ready to assist you, so reach out to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Child Sexual Assault: A Legal Definition

When we hear the term sexual assault, we normally associate these incidents with a victim who is forced into a sex act after saying no. But there are more subtle and coercive means of sexually assaulting someone, especially when they are underage according to the laws. In California, the age of consent is defined as 18, so this is how old you have to be in order to give informed consent for sexual activity. We know that arguments can be made for or against this age limit, but this is the number that was chosen by lawmakers, so that’s what matters in terms of criminal prosecution or a civil lawsuit.

Why is this important to point out? The main reason is that people who prey on children often use the excuse that the victim is more mature than the average minor. Quite often, you’ll hear them say that the student came on to them, and it was clear that they were sexually active. Or, they resort to the tired old argument of how the victim never said no. These issues are irrelevant when there is a sexual interaction between an adult and someone below the age of 18. In short, a sexual relationship between adults and minors is sexual assault

So, if you are confused about your right to sue for sexual assault or harassment, we assure you that you are still a victim of child sexual abuse. You were taken advantage of by a manipulative adult, and you have the right to seek justice in whatever form is available to you. The sexual abuse lawyers of Kenmore are with you every step of the way, so call us to schedule a free case review.

Who can I Sue if I Go Ahead with a Lawsuit?

Those who are responsible for the sexual abuse of a minor may include the employer of the predatory instructor, i.e., the martial arts school or studio. You may also have the right to sue organizations and officials that are in charge of tournaments and training camps / events. In a lot of the cases we investigate, it seems that the people in charge of these organizations knew of allegations against certain teachers, yet they did not contact the police or take any other action to try and help the students.

But even if there were no direct accusations, children often display signs of being abused, or there are red flags of an inappropriate relationship between instructors and their students. In these situations, the parents of the child, along with police or child protective services, must be notified. This is legally required under the state’s mandatory reporting laws, so contacting the authorities is not optional. However, many people who are classified as mandatory reporters fail to comply with the law, and this is another form of negligence that cannot go unpunished.

At the end of the day, who is liable when a child is sexually assaulted is a complicated subject. Talking to an attorney is the best course of action if you are a victim of sexual abuse by a jiu jitsu instructor, so contact our law firm as soon as possible.

Time Limit to Sue for Incidents of Child Sexual Abuse

Normally, California law provides you with a deadline of 22 years starting from your 18^th birthday for a child sexual abuse lawsuit. To put it another way, you have up until the age of 40 to file a claim for monetary damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

If you are older than 40, you may be under the assumption that it’s too late go after the jiu jitsu instructor and the martial arts school for what they did to you, but this is not necessarily true. Along with a deadline of 22 years, California’s Assembly Bill 218 has a discovery rule, where victims can file a lawsuit within 5 years of finding out about an injury caused by childhood sexual abuse. This normally has to do with mental health disorders, i.e., emotional injuries, though discovery of a physical injury counts as well.

From whenever you make the connection between your current suffering and sexual abuse by a martial arts instructor, you have a window of 5 years to initiate a lawsuit.

Zero Fee Guarantee

While a lawsuit is meant to bring compensation to those who were wronged by another party, this is not the only goal we have in mind when we fight for you and the settlement you deserve by law. A jiu jitsu instructor sexual abuse lawsuit is about justice and holding organizations and individuals responsible when they place profits and public image over a child’s safety.

The sexual assault lawyers of Kenmore are look forward to being a part of your journey to recovery, whether you simply come to us for legal advice or wish to hire us for a lawsuit. Either way, we have a Zero Fee Guarantee in place, meaning you pay $0 out of pocket. The only form of payment we receive is a portion of your settlement at the end of your case. If we don’t win your lawsuit, you owe us absolutely nothing, so there is no risk to your finances at any point.

To schedule a free case evaluation with a martial arts academy sex abuse lawsuit attorney, please contact our office.