Boys & Girls Club Abuse Lawyer

Sexual Abuse in Boys & Girls Clubs

Though Boys & Girls Clubs have been around for more than 100 years and are active in thousands of communities across the country, they do not always succeed in providing a safe place for children.

As an organization that caters to kids, there are always risks of sexual abuse – which is why Boys & Girls Clubs have important legal responsibilities when it comes to preventing abuse, reporting allegations, and protecting members.

Child sexual abuse may occur at a Boys & Girls Club facility or off-site and can take many forms, from unwanted touching and inappropriate relationships to molestation, sexual assault, and rape. Any allegations or signs of abuse demand an appropriate review by staff, and a report to law enforcement.

There are a number of risk factors in Boys & Girls Clubs that are commonly red flags for abuse, including:

• Youth members: Boys & Girls Clubs serve children from ages 6 through 16 and older, which can create opportunities for older youth members to sexually abuse younger members, or members their same age. Though members are not staff, Boys & Girls Clubs still have an obligation to prevent and identify inappropriate relationships among members at their facilities, and take appropriate steps to respond.
• Volunteers: Boys & Girls Clubs offer many volunteer and community service opportunities to juveniles and adults of all ages. This can include court-ordered community services by youth who have been adjudicated for juvenile offenses. Boys & Girls Clubs have an obligation to ensure their volunteers do not pose unreasonable risks to members.
• Field trips: Many Boys & Girls Clubs offer field trips, excursions, and even overnight trips for members. While these can be enriching experiences, they also provide opportunities for offenders to take advantage of less oversight and engage in abusive conduct.
• Negligence: Boys & Girls Clubs have obligations to take reasonable steps in preventing, identifying, and reporting child sexual abuse or sexual assault involving members. Unfortunately, the negligence of employees or management may mean that abuse is never reported, or that allegations are improperly handled or never reported to law enforcement.

Common forms of sexual abuse include:

• Physical Sexual Abuse: This involves any form of physical contact or activity of a sexual nature between an adult and a child. It can include touching, fondling, kissing, or any other physical act intended to gratify the perpetrator's sexual desires.
• Verbal Sexual Abuse: Verbal sexual abuse involves sexually explicit language, comments, or suggestions directed at a child. This can include sexual jokes, innuendos, or explicit discussions about sexual topics, which can be highly inappropriate and damaging to a child's well-being.
• Non-Contact Sexual Abuse: Non-contact sexual abuse refers to actions that do not involve physical contact but still have a sexual component. This can include exposing a child to pornographic material, forcing a child to watch sexual acts, or engaging in sexually suggestive behavior in front of a child.
• Grooming: Grooming is a process used by perpetrators to build trust and establish a relationship with a child for the purpose of sexual abuse. This can involve giving special attention or gifts, manipulating the child's emotions, or exploiting vulnerabilities to gain the child's trust and compliance.
• Exploitation: Sexual exploitation involves using a child for sexual purposes, often through manipulation or coercion. This can include forcing a child to engage in sexual acts, taking sexually explicit photos or videos of a child, or trafficking a child for sexual purposes.
• Online Sexual Abuse: With the prevalence of digital technology, online sexual abuse has become a growing concern. This can include grooming, exploitation, or harassment of children through social media, messaging apps, online gaming platforms, or other digital channels.

If you suspect your child was sexually abused at a Boys & Girls Club, believe Boys & Girls Club staff failed to adequately handle reported abuse or reported offenders, or are an adult who was sexually abused as a minor, you may have the right to take legal action and file a civil lawsuit against those at-fault.

As civil claims, sexual abuse lawsuits offer survivors an opportunity to bring allegations into the public forum, and seek accountability from wrongdoers and clubs that failed to protect them against abuse.

When successful, civil abuse claims can also allow victims to recover financial compensation for their pain and suffering, medical and mental health expenses, and other damages arising from their abuse.

Understanding the Legal Rights of Sexual Abuse Survivors

Survivors of sexual abuse at Boys & Girls Clubs have specific legal rights designed to help them seek justice and obtain the compensation they deserve. These rights include:

• Filing a Civil Lawsuit: Survivors can take legal action against those responsible for the abuse, including the perpetrator and any institution that failed to prevent or address the misconduct.
• Seeking Compensation: Victims can recover damages for various impacts, including emotional distress, medical and psychological treatment, ongoing therapy, and other related expenses.
• Privacy Protections: The legal system safeguards survivors' confidentiality, ensuring that legal professionals handle their personal and sensitive information with the utmost discretion.
• Access to Support Services: Survivors have the right to access various support resources, such as counseling, advocacy, and legal guidance, to assist them in their recovery and navigate the complexities of the legal process.

Recognizing and understanding these rights empower survivors to make informed decisions and take appropriate legal steps to achieve justice and healing.