School Related Sexual Abuse

Compassionate Sexual Assault Attorneys Help Survivors Hold Perpetrators Financially Accountable for Their Heinous Acts

We expect our schools and universities to protect our children and to be safe places that foster education and growth under the care of trained, qualified professionals. Schools should be happy places where children can develop friendships and acquire knowledge, ultimately growing into their full potential. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Child sexual abuse is alarmingly common. Whether it occurs at the hands of a grade-school or high-school teacher, a coach, a college professor, or an authority figure using their power to sexually assault a vulnerable young person is particularly egregious conduct. When someone exercises their power to obtain sexual gratification or to intimidate someone in hopes they do not report the assault, the perpetrator is not only exerting their own individual will but the entire weight and authority of the institution is brought upon the victim.

At the Neumann Law Group, we’ve created a dedicated team of sexual abuse lawyers who have extensive experience holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. We handle all types of school related sexual abuse cases, including those arising out of abuse that occurs in grade school, high school and colleges and universities.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Sexual Abuse?

The long-term effects of sexual abuse can be profound, impacting survivors physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially. Emotionally, survivors may experience feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem, often leading to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These psychological impacts can also manifest as difficulties in forming and maintaining intimate relationships, trust issues, and sexual dysfunction.

Physically, survivors might experience chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, or gynecological problems. There’s also an increased risk of developing certain health conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Mentally, survivors often struggle with coping mechanisms, which can include substance abuse, self-harm, or eating disorders. Cognitive effects, such as memory lapses or dissociative symptoms, are also common.

Socially, the trauma of sexual abuse can lead to isolation, difficulties in professional settings, and challenges in interpersonal relationships.

Of course, the severity of these effects varies greatly among survivors and depends on factors like the duration and severity of the abuse, the relationship with the abuser, and the support system available to the survivor.

Who Is Liable for School Related Sexual Assault?

The person committing the assault is clearly responsible for the injury sustained by a survivor of a sexual assault. However, that person may not have significant assets, meaning they might not be able to fairly compensate the survivor of their injuries. However, the institution that employed the perpetrator may also be responsible, but the extent to which an institution is responsible depends on the facts and circumstances of each case.

When Is a School Liable for Sexual Abuse Committed by a Teacher?

An institution can be responsible for failing to adequately investigate a bad actor before hiring or otherwise bringing them into the organization. Where the individual had a record of engaging in sexually inappropriate conduct in the past, but the institution does not investigate that record, it can be liable. Similarly, liability may attach in situations where the institution was aware of the perpetrator’s history but hires them, nonetheless.

Other ways that the institution can be responsible for injuries caused by sexual assaults revolve around failures to take appropriate action when concerns of school related sexual abuse are brought to its attention. This can range from failing to follow up on multiple minor red flags to actively hiding serious misconduct. An institution can be found liable to different degrees, depending on the egregiousness of the failure.

In sum, if a teacher, coach, or any other person given access to children through an educational institution engages in sexually assaultive behavior, both the bad actor and the institution may be responsible and, therefore, obligated to compensate the injured party for his or her injuries.

Our Compassionate Michigan School Sex Abuse Attorneys Are Ready to Listen

If you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted in a school setting, contact the experienced lawyers at Neumann Law Group for a free consultation. At the Neumann Law Group, we have over a century of combined experience handling all types of sexual abuse cases in Michigan courts. We understand what type of evidence is needed to prove a claim, where to find it, and how to present it in a compelling way to ensure your case is given the attention it deserves. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation today, give the Traverse City personal injury lawyers at the Neumann Law Group a call at 800-525-6386. You can also connect with us through our online contact form. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless and until we can connect you with the compensation you deserve.