Incidents of sexual abuse are unfortunately common in the schools where we entrust our children. While these institutions are charged with the care of their students, some staff members are sexual predators that take advantage of vulnerable minors. The numbers of people who can sexually abuse a student are limitless, and they’re not always teachers. Tutors, coaches, janitors, administrators, and after-school staff can also molest, harass, or sexually assault a student in their charge.
The lawyers of Normandie are currently investigating one of these cases, involving a student that was sexually abused by a wrestling coach at Edison High School. The school, located at 21400 Magnolia Street in Huntington Beach, currently has over 2,200 students. Edison High serves students from Huntington Beach, as well as Costa Mesa and Fountain Valley.
Sadly, this is one of many sex abuse cases we’ve seen that were perpetrated by sports coaches. These individuals work closely with students before, during, and after school. As a result, the minor feels very close to them, which is something a predator will exploit for the purpose of sexual gratification. If you or your child was victimized by a coach, mentor, teacher, or any other person of authority at a school, you must speak to a lawyer right away. There are legal actions you can take, both in the criminal and civil courts, but it’s essential to start an investigation and build a strong case against the responsible parties.
Here at Normandie, we are here for you as you decide on the best course of action for you and your loved one. That may include a lawsuit for monetary damages, which we are more than able to assist you with. To learn more about your rights and legal options, contact our office and speak to a school sex abuse attorney.
What is Child Sexual Abuse?
Child sexual abuse encompasses a wide variety of acts that go beyond rape or molestation. The definition has become even more complicated in recent years due to the internet, which has led to countless cases of online sexual abuse.
Below are examples of child sexual abuse that can occur between a student and a school staff member:
- Fondling, kissing, or groping of a minor
- Creating of exchanging pornography or other sexually explicit material
- Communication of a sexual nature (phone calls, texting, instant messaging, etc.)
- Exposing oneself or masturbating in the presence of a minor
- Coercing a minor into any act for the purpose of sexual gratification
That last part is important, as there are many actions that may not be viewed as sex or a sex act. However, what the predator gets out of the interaction is what matters. If there is contact with a minor (including online connections) that results in sexual gratification for the adult, that is a form of child sexual abuse.
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Minors cannot Consent to Sexual Relations
Unfortunately, this is something that has to be stressed due to sexual predators that insist their relationship with a minor was consensual. They will claim that the child came on to them or that they are already sexually active and enjoyed the interaction between them. Sometimes, they’ll make outrageous claims about the child’s maturity and how they made an informed decision to engage in sexual conduct.
However, minors cannot consent to sexual activity with an adult in the state of California. This is the basis of criminal charges and civil lawsuits against the perpetrator and anyone else responsible for the abuse. For example, we’ve all heard of students having crushes on their teachers. Responsible and caring teachers set clear boundaries in these situations to establish a healthy relationship with their students. Sexual abusers, on the other hand, will manipulate this innocent crush to their advantage. The result is life-long damage to a child’s mind and development.
The Consequences of School Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse by a teacher, coach, or other trusted adult can result in physical harm, such as unwanted pregnancy, STDs, and damage to the reproductive and other bodily organs. But we can’t forget about the emotional damages, which often stay with the victim for life. We know, for example, that sexual abuse survivors have higher rates of depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. According to the American Psychological Association, sex abuse survivors can also develop depression, PTSD, and other mental health disorders that require long-term treatment.
Fortunately, there are therapeutic methods, medications, and support groups to help manage these conditions. As a victim, you should not be responsible for the cost of these treatments. Our lawyers can help you file a lawsuit for your physical and emotional damages and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your suffering.
Damages You can Recover from a Lawsuit
The specific damages you can demand in a school sexual abuse lawsuit depends on what you have lost as a result of your injuries. However, it’s tough to put a monetary value on emotional injuries, which are associated with the trauma of being abused. You also have to think about future costs, like fees for on-going counseling sessions and medications to help with mental health disorders. We consider these and many other factors when we put together a demand package on behalf of a sexual abuse victim.
In a lawsuit for a case of high school sexual abuse, we may ask for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages (either for the victim or the victim’s parent / guardian)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Attorney’s fees
- Punitive damages
You will most likely have questions about some of these damages, which our lawyers will be happy to answer. Frankly, there are many forms of compensation that are available to victims, but they end up missing out on some of them due to their lack of legal knowledge. The perpetrator, school district, and other liable parties will use this to their advantage and make an offer that is inadequate for the victim’s suffering. Sadly, this is another way to victimize the minor and make take away their sense of control. When you choose Normandie, you can be sure that we will fight for every last penny of the compensation you deserve. We will not rest until you and your family receives justice from the individuals that have harmed you.
Suing for a Case of Child Sexual Abuse
So far, we are working with one brave victim who has come forward to report the sexual abuse he’s endured by a wrestling coach at Edison High School. It’s unlikely that this student is the only victim. By the time a client or their family comes to us for help, the coach has a long history of abuse involving many other victims. If you are one of these individuals, we encourage you to give us a call and learn about the legal options that are available to you. If there are enough victims, we may be able to pursue a class action lawsuit involving all the injured individuals. However, there is also the option to file a lawsuit on your own, so it’s important to understand the pros and cons of either option.
Another area of importance is liability, or who is responsible for the sexual abuse of a minor. Of course, there is the wrestling coach that committed the acts of abuse. But school districts can also be liable if they failed in their duty to ensure the safety of their students. For example, did the school fail to conduct proper background checks prior to hiring the wrestling coach? Were staff members properly trained to recognize the signs of student sexual abuse? Did the school ignore or attempt to hide allegations of rape, molestation, or any other type of abuse that was reported to them? These and other forms of negligence by the school can make them liable in a lawsuit for sexual abuse compensation.
Going after all the responsible entities is essential to recovering the full value of your losses. If you or your family member was sexually abused by a school staff member, please give us a call to learn about your legal rights.
Normandie is Here for You
We are always moved by the courage of victims that come forward with their stories of sexual abuse. Some victims are children that are accompanied by family members. Others are former graduates, who were not believed at the time of the incident. Others were too ashamed or afraid of hurting their loved ones, and kept the horrific secret to themselves for years. We hope that the courage of the Edison High student who recently came forward will encourage you to do the same. It’s never easy to speak about sexual abuse, but taking action sooner than later can make a big difference in your ability to move forward.
Our job is to provide you the best possible legal representation, while ensuring that your finances are not at risk. That’s why we offer a Zero fee guarantee, which means there is nothing you have to pay in order to retain our services. Since our lawyers work on contingency, we ask for our legal fees from the party you are suing. In essence, when you get paid is the same time we get paid, and if we don’t win your case, there is nothing for you to pay as a promise under the Zero fee guarantee.
To learn more about the lawsuit process as a victim of school sexual abuse, call our office and schedule a free case evaluation.
