Sexual Abuse Attorneys for Athletes – Sue the School if You were Sexually Abused by Your Coach

Were you sexually abused by a coach while you were a student in a Los Angeles school? Unfortunately, sexual abuse at the hands of school coaches is very common. For students and their families, school coaches are trusted adults. Although it is normal for coaches to build relationships with their athletes, many of these coaches take advantage of their position to gain the trust of students and ultimately abuse them. Undeniably, this sexual abuse could result in physical and psychological harm.

If you suffered sexual abuse in youth sports at school, it is important that you seek legal help with a Los Angeles sex abuse lawyer as soon as possible. You could have the right to file a lawsuit and even receive compensation. To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the legal options available to you and your family, it is important that you discuss your situation with a coach sexual abuse lawyer.

Our team here at the Normandie Law Firm has decades of experience handling personal injury claims, including sexual abuse claims involving school sports coaches and other school staff. Our experienced sports sexual abuse attorneys are ready to evaluate your claim and help you get justice for the harm that occurred due to the sexual abuse that happened. If you are ready to speak with a lawyer for student athlete abuse here at the Normandie Law Firm, contact us today. Our sexual abuse lawyers are ready to guide you every step of the way.

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Understanding Child Sex Abuse by Coaches

Sexual abuse refers to any unwanted contact between the attacker and the victim. When the subject of the sexual misconduct is a minor, the misconduct automatically falls under the term child sexual abuse – as a minor can never consent to any sexual contact. Child sex abuse can include kissing, groping, fondling, making sexual jokes/comments, rape, attempted rape, sodomy, oral sex, asking for sexual favors, performing any sexual act on the minor, requesting that the minor perform any sexual acts, taking explicit photos or videos of the minor, requesting explicit photos/videos of the minor, coercing the minor to participate in any sexual activity, and more.

Examples of Sexual Abuse by School Coaches

Sexual abuse by coaches can look very different from case to case. Some examples of what sexual abuse could look like include the following:

• Inappropriate touching disguised as coaching (like adjusting a student-athlete’s posture, body position, or uniform with the intention of groping or touching the student in a sexual manner)
• Arranging private meetings or training sessions outside of regular team activity (isolating the student and enabling abuse)
• Locker room or shower room misconduct (like entering locker rooms or showers unnecessarily, watching the athletes undress, or initiating any physical contact during this time)
• Verbal sexual harassment (including making sexual jokes and commenting on the athlete’s body)
• Digital grooming (such as privately messaging students, sending inappropriate texts, sharing or requesting explicit photos, etc.)
• Exploiting student athletes during team trips (specifically, taking advantage of a decrease in supervision to abuse athletes while staying in hotels)
• Quid pro quo abuse (offering better positions, more playing time, or favorable treatment in exchange for sexual contact)
• Statutory rape or relationships with minors (specifically, coaches engaging in “secret relationships” with underage athletes even when the student appears to “consent” to any sexual relationship/contact)

Sexual abuse by coaches can be a one-time thing or can go on for many years. Regardless of the details of the abuse, it is important to note that extensive physical and psychological harm can occur.

Harm Resulting from Sexual Abuse by Coaches

School sexual abuse at the hands of sports coaches can result in extensive harm that can affect victims for many years, and sometimes even for the rest of their lives. Some of the harm that minors could suffer at the hands of their coaches could include the following:

• Sexually transmitted infections
• Unwanted pregnancies and related complications
• Injuries to reproductive organs
• Injuries to genitals
• Fractures, lacerations, and other injuries caused by the use of force
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress
• Panic disorder
• Increased risk of substance abuse
• Increased risk of self-harm

These are just some of the coach abuse effects on students. Of course, these effects can be long-lasting and require years of extensive treatment. If you were sexually abused by a coach while you were a minor student athlete, it is important that you reach out to a Los Angeles coach abuse lawyer as soon as possible. You likely have the right to file a lawsuit. Our sexual misconduct lawyer for schools are ready to help you seek justice.

Student Athlete Sexual Assault Laws

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the main laws that protect students and young athletes from sexual abuse and sexual misconduct by coaches, teachers, and other adults in positions of authority:

Safe Sport Act

• This law was passed in 2018 after high-profile abuse scandals involving the USA Gymnastics. The law applies primarily to amateur athletes in organizations that are a part of the USOPC or national governing bodies.
• Key features of this law include mandatory reporting (coaches, trainers, and other adults working with youth athletes must report suspected abuse to law enforcement within 24 hours), no retaliation (athletes cannot be retaliated if they make reports), fostering a safe environment (i.e., organizations must adopt policies to prevent abuse, like limiting one-on-one interactions, digital communications, and establishing travel policies), and more.
• To summarize, Safe Sport gives youth athletes a federal right to a safe environment and makes reporting sexual abuse mandatory.

Title IX (Specifically the Education Amendments of 1972)

• The law applies to all schools and colleges that receive federal funding.
• It prohibits sex discrimination, which includes both sexual harassment and sexual assault.
• Key features of this law include the right to report, prompt investigation of reports, victims entitled to supportive measures like counseling, academic accommodations, schedule changes, and protection from retaliation, and fair process while investigating the complaint and the accused party.
• This law establishes institutional liability, meaning that schools can be held legally responsible for both ignoring complaints and mishandling complaints.
• To summarize, this law gives students the right to learn in a school environment free from sexual abuse or harassment, and schools must take immediate action to protect their students.

California Child Abuse and Negligent Reporting Act (CANRA)

• The law identifies mandated reporters, or people that are legally required to report suspected child abuse
• Mandated reporters include teachers, school staff (when employed by the school), administrators, and more.
• Mandated reporters have the duty to immediately report any suspicion of abuse to law enforcement or to child protective services by phone and make a written report within 36 hours.
• Mandated reporters are not required to prove the abuse through investigation, they must report any “reasonable suspicion.”
• Mandated reporters are protected from liability and from lawsuits if they make a report in good faith.
• Mandated reporters who fail to report can face penalties, including misdemeanor charges, fines, and loss of employment credentials.
• To summarize, school staff are legally obligated to report any suspected abuse.

For additional information about Safe Sport Act legal protections, Title IX sexual abuse reporting, victims’ rights under Safe Sport and Title IX, and CANRA mandated reporting in California, please do not hesitate to reach out to a Los Angeles sexual abuse attorney for minors.

Holding Schools Accountable for Coach Abuse

Who is liable for abuse in school athletics programs? Who can be held responsible for sexual grooming by coaches in California schools? These are very important questions. In general, schools are responsible for keeping students safe. A part of this is subjecting all school staff (including sports coaches, coach assistants, and anyone in the athletics department) to extensive background checks. Both prospective employees and existing employees should undergo initial background checks and recurring or random background checks. Schools are also required to properly train their staff as well as have the proper policies and procedures in place. For example, there should be rules in place about staff not being alone with students on campus or doors remaining open when alone. All staff and interaction with students should also be supervised, and there should be clear procedures to follow when misconduct is suspected. Of course, the school and the school district should also follow through with all reports of misconduct and take action to prevent further abuse.

In general, the sexual abuse of students at the hands of their coaches occurs due to failures of the school and school district. More specifically, this is based on the lack of background checks, lack of appropriate supervision resulting in opportunities for abuse to occur, and the failure to take complaints and reports seriously.

If you have questions about how to pursue legal action for sexual abuse in youth athletics at a school, please do not hesitate to reach out to a school coach sexual abuse lawyer at your earliest convenience.

Filing a Lawsuit with the Help of a Sexual Abuse Attorney for Children

Whether you are a parent of a child that was abused or you are the victim that experienced the abuse when you were a minor, it is important that you understand that help is available. You may have some of the following questions:

• Can I sue the school? Yes, you can sue the school for sexual abuse that occurs on campus. In most cases of sexual abuse, the school is named as a defendant, in addition to other parties/entities. Schools can be held responsible for the actions of their staff and the failure to keep their students safe.
• Can I sue the school district? Yes, since school districts directly oversee schools and their staff, school districts can also be held liable for sexual abuse and can be sued.
• Can I sue the coach directly? Yes, you can sue the coach. In most cases, the coach will be named in the lawsuit. However, it is always recommended to sue the school and the school district.
• Can I sue a school for hiding sexual abuse? Yes, in addition to suing the school for failing to protect the student and failing to prevent the abuse from happening, claims could include hiding the sexual abuse. If the school or district hid or tried to hide the abuse, then claimants could be eligible to recover treble damages.

To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the legal options available to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to a lawyer for athletic sexual assault as soon as possible.

How to Sue a Coach for Sexual Abuse in California

If you or a member of your family suffered sexual abuse, it is important that you take action to fight for your rights. Of course, you need to report the abuse to the authorities and to the school and school district. Most importantly, you need to find legal help for abuse by sports coach. It is not recommended to pursue a claim without the help of an experienced lawyer.

What to do if Your Child is Abused by a Coach

As a parent, it can be difficult to figure out what to do next after finding out that your child was a victim of sexual abuse. After reporting the abuse to the authorities, school, and school district, you should reach out to experienced attorneys helping victims of coach sexual abuse in California immediately.

Experts on Coach Sexual Abuse Litigation in Los Angeles at the Normandie Law Firm – Sex Abuse Attorney California

Child sex abuse of student athletes is devastating. Student athletes that were victimized may be left suffering with extensive physical harm and life-long psychological harm. Here at our law firm, we are committed to fighting for the rights of victims and their families and helping them get justice. We offer free case reviews with our California sex abuse lawyers for school sports, including free consultations and free second opinions. Our Zero-Fee Guarantee ensures that you will never pay upfront legal costs for our legal services with our experts. In addition, we work on a strict contingency basis, so you will not be required to pay anything at all if your lawsuit is not successful. Contact us today to speak to the best attorney for coach sexual abuse Los Angeles.

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