When you send your children to school, no matter their age, you trust that the environment is safe and conducive to their education. Unfortunately, child sexual abuse happens in some of these settings, from elementary and middle school to high school and college.
Children, teens, and young adults who are sexually abused by educators, staff, or even their fellow peers suffer tremendous harm. Sexual abuse and sexual assault can cause painful physical injuries, though the most significant impacts are the emotional trauma brought on by this physical harm.
If you suspect school sexual abuse, you should not hesitate to get the help needed to protect your child. A Chicago sexual abuse attorney can help you review your legal rights. While prosecutors will be focused on the criminal charges and criminal trial, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit to hold the perpetrator accountable for their heinous acts.
Choose a sexual harassment attorney in Chicago schools who knows the local area and how to fight those responsible for school sexual abuse. 844SeeMike Personal Injury Lawyers is a team of sexual abuse attorneys in Chicago that can provide the compassionate and confidential support needed for these types of sensitive matters.
Abuse victims deserve justice for school sexual abuse and sexual assault. Contact us today to seek legal advice and pursue justice through a free initial case consultation.
School Sexual Abuse Defined
School sexual abuse refers to a variety of inappropriate behaviors committed at any educational institution. School sexual abuse is a broad term that can include sexual violence such as date rape, unwanted touching, sexual harassment, nonconsensual sexual acts, and other types of sexual behavior.
In these sexual abuse cases, the setting could be a Chicago public school, private school, college, university, boarding school, or any other type of school in the local area. School districts and school administrators are ultimately responsible for the safety and well-being of all students enrolled at the school. While they may not be the ones committing these wrongful acts, if they learn that a school teacher, school nurse, coach, school staff members, or other authority figures, and other adults like volunteers are conducting themselves in these ways and do nothing, they may be held liable.
Other children may also be responsible for these horrific acts. Whether they happen during the school day or extracurricular activities, sexual abuse and sexual assault are still the same, with the potential to cause emotional damage that affects the rest of their life.
Understanding the Rights of School Sexual Abuse Survivors
When school sexual abuse occurs, it is vital to hold these educational institutions responsible if they did nothing to protect students from being sexually abused. Our sexual abuse lawyers will point out to the liable parties that Chicago educational institutions must keep students safe from discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and sexual assault.
According to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, schools are required to address school sexual abuse by having policies and procedures in place to promote awareness, keep students safe, and give support to victims. If any institution or staff member falls short of this obligation, the school will be held financially responsible for school sexual abuse and sexual assault.
Unfortunately, rather than take proper action when a school learns of sexual abuse in Chicago, many of them conceal these incidents and sweep them under the rug. They are more focused on protecting their reputations rather than protecting the students. If your child has endured school sexual abuse, do not wait to get the legal support you need. Our sexual abuse lawyers take allegations like these very seriously. Even if the perpetrators are not convicted in criminal courts, school sexual abuse survivors can still hold them accountable for civil matters involving sexual acts based on negligence and harm suffered.
The Legal Process for Chicago Sexual Abuse Cases
School sexual abuse cases involve determining the facts of what happened and preparing a case. Since school sexual abuse is such a sensitive topic, one that is difficult for school sexual abuse survivors to face, working with a school sexual abuse lawyer is imperative.
Our school sexual abuse lawyers provide a caring and comfortable environment where you can feel safe talking about what happened. We will listen empathetically while gathering information to file a claim. Once we file a complaint regarding the school sexual abuse endured, our Chicago sexual abuse lawyers will engage in negotiations to get the compensation deserved for enduring this horrific sexual abuse.
Money won’t make the emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder trauma disappear. However, after unwanted sexual behavior, it can push school sexual abuse survivors down dark paths to help them block out memories of being sexually abused. Many turn to substance abuse to cope, and with the compensation received, victims can get the complete medical care and therapy needed, along with additional compensation for loss of enjoyment of life and other damages.
The Many Forms of School Sexual Abuse: Signs to Watch Out For
School sexual abuse can have many outward signs, even if your child is unwilling to discuss things. You may notice a sudden change in their behavior. Perhaps they were outgoing and active, and now, they’ve suddenly withdrawn. Others may suddenly not want to go to school or participate in school-related activities that they once enjoyed.
In other situations, parents notice inappropriate relationships blossoming with teachers or other figures of authority. These relationships may expand into extracurricular activities that aren’t affiliated with the school or part of any tutoring program.
Children who endure sexual abuse often develop sleep disorders and experience nightmares. They may not speak as much or keep secrets from you, and they may know things about sexual behavior that aren’t exactly appropriate for their age. Any child who has injuries to their body, particularly in the genital area, or has tested positive for sexually transmitted diseases may have been sexually abused, and parents need a school sexual abuse lawyer to hold those responsible accountable for these vile actions under the law.
Students in college may show signs of school sexual abuse as well, usually drifting off into heavy drug or alcohol use, engaging in self-harm, changing eating habits, and suddenly shifting in behavior away from things they once enjoyed. Sex abuse is one of the most damaging things that can happen to your child, and school administrators should be diligent in upholding the laws in the state.
Young children may not know what sexual abuse is, and they may not realize that the actions of a grown-up they trust are sexual abuse. Older children will typically know something is not right but be embarrassed and afraid to discuss it. No matter the age, children can suffer long-lasting impacts from sexual abuse, making them more prone to experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Sexual abuse can impact sleep, the ability to function in society on a daily basis, interpersonal relationships, and lead to increased costs for victims in the aftermath.
Contact our sexual abuse attorneys today to learn more about how we can help you and your child move forward from these despicable actions and prevent those responsible from committing more acts of sexual abuse.
Steps to Take If You Suspect Your Child Is a Victim of School Sexual Abuse
If you suspect sexual abuse is happening to your child, the first step is to contact law enforcement. Sexual abuse is a crime, and the police should be given this information to prosecute on the criminal justice side of the law.
When sexual abuse is more physical and forceful, it is best to see a doctor right away. If penetration took place, rape kits may be administered. There are other examinations that doctors can make when you seek medical attention that will help establish that these horrific sexual abuse acts occurred in the medical records.
Once you seek treatment, you need to review your legal options. At the law firm of 844SeeMike Personal Injury Lawyers, our sexual abuse attorneys recognize just how difficult this is to talk about. Victims often blame themselves in some way, thinking they somehow encouraged the abuse. School districts and the educators and staff employed there must conduct themselves accordingly, and taking advantage of students in a sexual way is a violation of that duty.
At our law firm, we take these matters very seriously and will seek damages to help you obtain fair compensation for these devastating events.
The Role of Our Chicago School Sexual Abuse Lawyers in Helping You Obtain Financial Compensation
If you or a family member has suffered this type of abuse at the hands of educators and institutions, our law firm can help you seek justice. We know all too well how hard it is for victims to speak up after enduring the many forms of sexual abuse.
Once you contact our legal team, we begin by investigating and gathering evidence, all while protecting your rights and privacy. We know this is a sensitive topic, and we do everything to make sure you feel safe and secure. You’ll be in good hands, knowing that we will fight and name all liable parties to not only seek justice but also compensation for all impacts, from medical bills and lost wages to your pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
We work on a contingency fee basis, allowing you to not worry about having to pay anything unless we win a settlement or verdict in your case. After investigations, we will negotiate to get what is fair while being ready to bring your case to trial. You will be in our capable hands, protected from harm and supplied with the guidance you need to help you move forward and get your life back.
Seek Legal Advice from a School Abuse Lawyer in Chicago with a Confidential Free Consultation
Sexual abuse in any form is a horrific act, and no matter the age of a victim, they deserve justice. Whether you are the parent of a child who has been abused in these ways or you were abused at college or in your younger years by those you were supposed to trust at school, you have legal rights to hold them accountable.
We know this isn’t easy to discuss, which is why we provide a safe and confidential space for you to talk with us. You may feel like it’s all your fault, or you could’ve done more to stop it. However, no one should have ever treated you like this and caused you this harm. That is their fault, not yours, and when the harm caused permeates every area of your life, you can seek financial recovery for the damages. Contact 844SeeMike Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule this confidential discussion and learn more about your legal rights and options.
