Sex Abuse Lawyer

If you or someone you love has experienced sexual abuse, Shrader & Associates, L.L.P. is here to help you. Our team of attorneys and staff are ready to provide compassionate, confidential, and personalized legal support every step of the way.

Contact Shrader and Associates now for a free consultation.

Forms of Sex Abuse

Sexual abuse is any form of unwanted sexual contact. 

• Non-consensual or unwanted sexual touching: Including touching individuals who are unable to consent, such as children, individuals with mental disabilities, or those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Sexual exploitation: Activities such as human trafficking or child pornography.
• Rape: Forced sexual intercourse.
• Sexual coercion or manipulation: Using influence, authority, or control to obtain sexual favors or compliance.
• Sexual harassment: Unwelcome advances or the creation of a hostile environment through sexual comments or gestures.
• Child molestation: Sexual acts involving a minor.
• Sexual battery: Sexual contact achieved through force or threat of force, such as through the use of a deadly weapon or against individuals with mental disabilities who cannot give consent.
• Harmful sexual acts: Any sexual conduct detrimental to the victim’s physical, mental, or emotional well-being.

Physical and Emotional Effects of Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse can leave wounds that last for a lifetime. Sexual assault may leave physical damage, such as:

• Migraines
• Pregnancy
• Chronic pain
• Premenstrual syndrome

• Sexually transmitted infections (STI)
• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Sexual abuse can also lead to psychological and emotional scars, such as:

• Problems with trust, intimacy, or sexual function
• Withdrawing from certain social situations
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Insomnia or sleeping disorders
• Eating disorders
• Panic attacks
• Dissociation
• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress

In child sexual abuse cases, the effects may show up first as fear, shame, or a feeling of guilt. Because children may not understand what has happened or have the ability to communicate the event, they may express their emotions in other ways, such as:

• Reluctance to be alone with certain individuals
• Academic difficulties
• Frequent tantrums
• Hyperactivity

Some children may attempt to compensate by asserting their masculinity or sexuality through aggressive behavior at school or boasting about sexual conquests. 

Sex crimes are often perpetrated by individuals whom the child or their guardian trusts. In 93% of child sexual abuse cases, the survivor knew the person who committed the abuse, and 34% of the time they are members of the child’s family.

According to the United States Sentencing Commission, 67.2% of sexual abuse offenders have no prior criminal history.

What to Do if You Suspect Child Abuse

Children may not report sexual abuse, so it is important for adults to look out for the signs of potential abuse. If you suspect a child is being abused, contact your local child protective services or law enforcement department. 

A victim of sexual assault or abuse may be hesitant to report it. Even as adults, victims may feel they do not have the support or resources they need. Speaking out and seeking justice can be daunting. 

Filing a Legal Claim for Sexual Abuse

Although no amount of financial compensation can fix the suffering you have endured, restore your childhood, or erase painful memories, civil litigation against your abuser with a highly-skilled attorneys on your team can be a significant step on the road to healing. 

A civil claim against sexual abusers holds them financially responsible for the damage they have inflicted or allowed. Depending on the specifics of your sexual abuse lawsuit, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Potential compensation may cover:

• Therapy costs
• Loss of earnings
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Post-traumatic stress
• Anxiety and depression
• Psychological and emotional trauma

Because there is a statute of limitations dictating how long after an alleged assault you can bring a civil suit, it is crucial to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The statute of limitations varies from state to state. An experienced sexual assault lawyer can help you navigate legal complexities and get the justice you deserve.

Sexual Abuse in Schools

If you or a child you love have been survivors of sexual abuse within a school, you may have grounds to pursue legal action against the perpetrator and the school. Reports consistently reveal incidents of sexual abuse by staff or other students, often highlighting failures by administrators and school districts to adequately safeguard children. 

• The U.S. Department of Education reported that school districts reported 2,700 incidents of sexual assault during the 2020-21 school year.
• The incidence of rape or attempted rape nearly doubled between 2016 and 2018.
• Schools, from K-12 schools to Higher Education Establishments and even military academies, may fail to protect their students from sexual assault or harassment or mishandle complaints. 

School districts and administration should be held accountable for proper supervision of both students and staff.

• A growing number of school districts have settled or paid legal damages of $1 million or more in the past few years: 38 in 2021 and 69 in 2022.
• A jury awarded a $135 million verdict in a molestation case against a teacher and a middle school in California. The school was found to be 90% responsible for the abuse two students suffered, while the former teacher was 10% responsible. 

A federal judge awarded a $44 million to a student at a high school in New Mexico. The student was allegedly abused by a teacher and bullied and harassed by students who supported the teacher.

Learn more in our extended article.

Sexual Abuse in Summer Camps

Children may also be susceptible to sexual abuse during summer camps. In 2018, CBS News reported over 500 cases of sexual abuse at children’s camps in the United States. Given that children often do not report abuse, the actual incidence is likely higher. Sleep-away summer camps can create opportunities for abusers, as children are separated from familiar and trusted individuals. This abuse can occur at various types of camps, including those that are publicly funded and religious. The regulation of summer camps is complicated by varying laws from state to state.

• More than 500 children were allegedly sexually abused at camps over the past five decades, according to a 2018 report.
• A summer camp in Virginia was closed and the director retired after sexual assault allegations were filed. According to a former employee, the administration could have prevented some of the incidents on many occasions but were not willing to take action or responsibility.

A former YMCA camper was awarded $7.5 million by a jury. The YMCA admitted it was legally responsible for the abuse, and the jury dismissed the initial suggestion of $500,000 in damages in favor of the $7.5 million award.

Learn more in our extended article.

Sexual Abuse in Youth Sports

Coaches play a crucial role in developing young athletes, spending significant time training them and building trust. Contrary to popular perceptions, a 2021 study found that in the area of youth sports, most sexual abuse is perpetrated by peers, not coaches, and that male athletes are more frequently victims of touching sexual abuse than female athletes. Sports organizations must supervise young athletes and staff to protect participants from harm and abuse, especially given the close contact between peers and coaches in locker rooms and during trips. Negligent supervision and numerous abuse cases highlight the need for strict policies and vigilance. The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 mandates procedures to limit one-on-one interactions between adults and minors, and holding institutions accountable for their supervision failures is essential.

• The University of Maryland paid $4.14 million to student athletes who were sexually abused by a former coach. The school was found to have failed to adequately respond to allegations of abuse.
• A $380 million settlement was reached in a case between USA Gymnastics and more than 500 victims. Hundreds of female athletes claimed they were abused under the guise of medical treatment.

A minor was sexually abused by her soccer coach. The survivor sued the soccer association and an appellate court held the association responsible for the abuse, stating they had a responsibility to conduct criminal background checks on all adults who come into physical contact with children.

Other Settings for Sex Abuse

Sexual abuse can occur in a variety of environments like:

• During massage therapy

Most child sexual abuse takes place in settings where children and their guardians feel safe:

• doctors’ offices
• churches
• homes

Criminal Cases vs. Civil Cases

Sexual abuse survivors have the option to pursue claims against their abusers in criminal court, civil court, or both.

• In a criminal case, the alleged abuser is prosecuted by the state. If found guilty, they may be convicted and sentenced to prison. However, the survivor does not typically receive significant financial compensation in a criminal case, as the primary focus is on penalizing the offender rather than providing restitution to the victim.
• In a civil case, the survivors work with a team of skilled attorneys, such as those at Shrader & Associates, to hold the abuser and other accountable parties responsible. Civil litigation allows survivors to obtain monetary compensation for their suffering and losses. Survivors can seek financial damages from the abuser and any other responsible parties, such as a school or camp that failed to provide adequate supervision. 

The process unfolds differently depending on whether you decide to pursue a criminal or civil case. The major difference is the amount of evidence necessary to prove a crime has been committed.

• In a criminal case, it must be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the crime occurred.
• In a civil case, the court will decide based on a “preponderance of the evidence.” This means if the prosecution’s arguments are more credible, or more likely to be true, than the defendant’s, the prosecution wins the case. 

Criminal and civil cases are tried separately. The outcome of a criminal case does not affect the outcome of a civil case.

• If a criminal case is dismissed or the alleged abuser is found “not guilty” in a criminal case, you can still file a civil case.

• If the perpetrator is found “guilty” and sent to prison, you can still file a civil case against them and pursue financial compensation for your pain and suffering.

If you name an organization in your civil case, you and your attorney will need to prove that they were negligent or failed to uphold their legal duty owed to the child. For example, in the case of a schoolteacher abusing a child, the civil case would need to prove the school administration failed to:

• properly screen and supervise it’s teachers
• conduct necessary investigations into complaints
• notify law enforcement of the misconduct of a teacher

If your civil case is successfully settled or litigated, you may be entitled to financial compensation for damages. The value the judge or jury assigns to your case and the specific damages you recover will depend on the specifics of your case.  

Join forces with a legal team that cares about you. Contact Shrader & Associates today for a free consultation.

I don’t care about the money!

You don’t have to have a financial impetus to file a civil case. 

You may be more concerned about seeking justice and inciting critical changes in a particular institution or community. For example, you could file a civil case against a school or a camp to hold the institution accountable for the actions of their employees, preventing any further injury to children at the school or camp.

Regardless of your motive for pursuing a civil case, whether your case is settled or proceeds to litigation, having a great legal team on your side can help you navigate the complexities of the legal system.

Timeframe to file a sexual abuse claim

The timeframe for filing a lawsuit for sexual assault in either criminal and civil court depends on the laws of your state. It is important to consult with an experienced law firm promptly once you decide to pursue legal action. An attorney specializing in sexual abuse cases can answer your questions, assist in filing your suit, and guide you through the entire legal process.

Take action with Shrader & Associates.

Recent sexual abuse case settlements

• A school in Southern California where a teacher became pregnant with a student’s baby was ordered to pay $2.25 million when the boy who fathered the child told the court the school knew about the relationship between him and his teacher and did not tell his parents about it.
• A $3.55 million settlement was handed down in January of 2024 from a case where a school ignored complaints from students, teachers, and parents regarding a teacher’s sexual misconduct with students for decades.
• A school in California was ordered to pay $135 million for failing to protect two students from a predatory teacher in an unprecedented case in California in October of 2023.

Empower Yourself with Legal Support

If you or someone you love has been a victim of sexual abuse, obtaining legal counsel is essential. Our team of dedicated sexual abuse attorneys at Shrader & Associates understands the sensitivity and seriousness of these cases. We will review your claims, provide legal advice, and support you throughout the entire process.

See Also:

• Sex Abuse
• Sexual Abuse in Schools 
• Sexual Abuse at Summer Camps
• Sexual Abuse in Massage Therapy