School Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Sex Abuse Attorneys Fighting for Victims Abused in Schools

We entrust teachers, administrators, and other faculty in our schools to provide instruction and protection to our children. Unfortunately, not all school teachers and staff uphold their obligations for providing a safe environment to children – some use their position of trust and power to sexually abuse or assault students, and pressure them into keeping silent.

If your child has been a victim of sexual abuse in school, you suspect they may have suffered abuse at the hands of school faculty, or you are an adult who suffered sex abuse in school as a child, taking decisive action with the help of experienced attorneys is critical.

At The Zalkin Law Firm, we represent children and families who wish to pursue civil legal action against teachers and other school staff alleged to have committed abuse, as well as school administrators and school districts that failed to adequately investigate claims and protect children. In addition to ensuring others do not suffer abuse, our mission is to help survivors seek the justice and compensation they deserve.

Have questions about your legal rights following child sex abuse in school? Call (800) 477-2989 or contact us online to request a FREE consultation.

What is School Sexual Abuse?

School sexual abuse refers to any form of sexual misconduct or exploitation that occurs within an educational institution, involving students and sometimes staff members. It can take various forms, including but not limited to:

• Physical Sexual Abuse: This involves direct physical contact of a sexual nature, such as inappropriate touching, groping, or forced sexual acts.
• Verbal Sexual Abuse: This occurs when someone uses sexually explicit language, jokes, or comments to demean, harass, or intimidate a student.
• Non-Contact Abuse: This includes behaviors such as voyeurism, exhibitionism, or exposing students to sexually explicit material.
• Grooming: Grooming is a process where the abuser builds a relationship with the victim to gain their trust and establish emotional connection before exploiting them sexually. This can involve giving gifts, offering special attention, or manipulating the victim psychologically.
• Sexual Harassment: This involves unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or offensive environment for the victim.

School sexual abuse can have severe and long-lasting effects on the victims, including psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties forming healthy relationships in the future. It is a serious violation of trust and can occur in various educational settings, including primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

Common Signs of School Sexual Abuse

Identifying signs of school sexual abuse can be crucial in providing support to victims and preventing further harm. However, it's important to note that these signs can vary depending on the individual and the specific circumstances.

Some common signs of school sexual abuse include:

• Behavioral Changes: Sudden and unexplained changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn, anxious, or unusually secretive. On the other hand, some victims may become more aggressive or display acting-out behaviors.
• Physical Symptoms: Unexplained injuries or physical complaints, such as stomachaches or headaches, particularly when there is no medical explanation for them. Bruises, cuts, or other injuries in the genital or anal area may also be signs of sexual abuse.
• Regression: Reverting to behaviors more common in younger children, such as bedwetting, thumb-sucking, or other regressive behaviors.
• Changes in Academic Performance: A decline in academic performance, loss of interest in school, or difficulty concentrating may indicate that the child is experiencing emotional distress related to abuse.
• Avoidance of Specific Places or People: A child who avoids certain places, such as bathrooms, locker rooms, or specific classrooms, or seems afraid of particular individuals, such as teachers or other students, may be experiencing abuse.
• Sexualized Behavior: Engaging in sexual behaviors or using sexual language that is not age-appropriate. This can include knowledge of sexual acts beyond what is typical for their age or drawing explicit sexual images.
• Emotional Distress: Displaying signs of emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
• Changes in Relationships: Difficulty forming or maintaining relationships with peers or adults, fear of being alone with certain individuals, or difficulty trusting others.
• Sleep Disturbances: Nightmares, difficulty falling asleep, or other sleep disturbances may indicate that the child is experiencing emotional distress related to abuse.
• Sudden Changes in Hygiene Habits: Overly meticulous grooming or sudden neglect of personal hygiene can sometimes be indicators of sexual abuse.

A Proven Record of Success

The Zalkin Law Firm is exclusively focused on fighting for the injured and the wronged, including sex abuse survivors and their families. Over our years in practice, we have become known as national leaders in child sex abuse litigation, and have cultivated the extensive experience, resources, and professional connections needed to successfully resolve these difficult cases.

Our award-winning trial lawyers have successfully represented clients who were abused in public schools, private schools, and religious schools, as well as victims of campus sexual assault and abuse at colleges across the country. Examples of our case results in these matters include:

• $1.5 million settlement for a 24-year-old male abused as a minor by a public school coach.
• $1 million settlement against a religious school over child sex abuse that occurred more than 20 years ago.
• $1 million settlement on behalf of two victims sexually abused by their elementary school teacher.
• $550,000 settlement in a childhood sexual abuse case involving a teacher at a private high school.
• $500,000 settlement for a 28-year-old male survivor abused as a minor by a teacher and coach at a religious school.

Over the course of 20 years, The Zalkin Law Firm has settled hundreds of sexual abuse cases, and has recovered millions in compensation for survivors. Our cases have had a tremendous impact on the lives of victims and their loved ones, and have brought about needed changes and protections that help ensure schools and other organizations are held accountable when they fail to keep kids safe.