Jewish Youth Group Sexual Assault Lawyer

Jewish youth organizations are community-based groups that focus on leadership, fellowship, community services, and a deeper understanding of Jewish values. Some groups focus on the religious aspect of being Jewish, while others are more political in nature. However, all of them generally offer clubs, trips, camps, and other fun activities where Jewish youth – typically middle school and high schoolers – can share experiences and grow closer as a religious community.

Sadly, what should be an enriching experience in one’s childhood can become a source of trauma when sexual abuse is involved. Jewish youth group sexual assault, molestation and other forms of sex abuse are surprisingly common, but for many years, victims were discouraged from coming forward. In recent years, children and adult survivors of sexual abuse have come forward more readily due to the media attention on sexual abuse among religious organizations.

If you or your child suffered sexual abuse at a Jewish youth organization, we encourage you to reach out to an experienced attorney. A childhood sexual assault lawyer at our office can inform you of your rights and help you take legal action against your attacker, the organization, or any other party that’s responsible for your trauma.

Sexual Assault at a Jewish Youth Organization

The question of “What is sexual assault?” is not unusual among those who were abused by a trusted adult. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), sexual assault is any “sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim.” Such behaviors include:

• Rape
• Penetration with an object (also defined as rape)
• Attempted rape
• Molestation, i.e., fondling or unwanted touching of a sexual nature
• Forcing the victim to engage in oral sex and other non-intercourse sex acts

About consent, it’s essential to understand that minors (under 18 in California) are unable to give consent when it comes to sexual activity with an adult. Thus, an abuser cannot use the defense that the minor was a willing participant. Even if the underage victim insists that they love their abuser, they wanted to have sex, etc., the adult is still guilty of a sexual offense with a minor under California laws.

When it comes down to it, Jewish youth group members who are sexually assaulted by a staff member, by another parent, or by family of the Rabbi running the organization sustain physical and mental injuries that can affect the rest of their lives. A lawsuit can help cover the costs associated with these injuries, while giving the victim a sense of resolution over what has happened to them.

Injuries from a Sexual Assault

A sexual assault can result in a number of bodily injuries, such as cuts and bruises, damage to the reproductive organs, and transmission of an STD. But the emotional injuries from sexual abuse are much harder for most survivors to deal with. It’s very common for sexual assault victims to develop lifelong mental health issues, such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Disassociation
• Self-harming behaviors
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Suicidal ideation
• Eating disorders
• Insomnia and other sleep disorders

Aside from your attacker, various individuals may be responsible for your injuries, including staff members, volunteers, and the Rabbi in charge of the program. Our attorneys can go after anyone who contributed to your harm and suffering, and hold them responsible for their negligence. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you were sexually assaulted at any of following Jewish youth organizations in the U.S:

• Aleph Zadik Aleph
• BBYO
• Chabad houses
• Federation of Zionist Youth
• Jewish Student Union
• JQYouth
• NCSY
• NFTY
• Tzivos Hashem
• United Synagogue Youth
• Young Judaea
• Zionist Youth Movement

Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

What do I do if I was Sexually Abused at a Jewish Youth Organization?

Being sexually assaulted, or hearing that your child was sexually abused, brings up many thoughts and emotions, and it’s hard to know how you should proceed. The best thing you can do is to speak with an attorney who can advise you of your legal options. These include criminal prosecution, as well as a lawsuit for compensation. However, the process of determining who is liable for the abuse and gathering the necessary evidence can be very challenging in these situations.

Our law firm is dedicated to the rights of sexual abuse victims, and we will not rest until you are fairly compensated by those who failed to protect you. Call us right away to speak with a Jewish youth group sexual assault lawyer.

Legal Penalties for not Reporting Child Sexual Abuse or Suspected Abuse

Under the state’s mandatory reporting laws, people whose job duties involve direct interaction with children must report all cases of, or suspected cases of abuse, which includes sexual assault of a minor. According to California’s Penal Code Section 11166[c], a mandated reporter who fails to report abuse incidents or suspected abuse of a minor may be punished by up to 6 months in prison and up to $1,000 in fines. In addition, the victim or their parents / guardians can seek monetary restitution from the abuser and other liable entities through a civil lawsuit.

Choosing the right course of action for you and your loved ones is a personal decision, and there are no right or wrong answers. An attorney at our law firm will sit down with you and help you decide on the legal strategy that’s in your best interest.

How long do I have to File a Lawsuit?

If you are an adult who was abused as a child, you may be wondering, “I was molested years ago / decades ago. Can I still sue?”

You may still have time to file a lawsuit under California’s Assembly Bill 218, which gives victims until the age of 40 (or 22 years after turning the age of majority) to take legal action with the civil courts. Even if you exceeded this time limit, AB-218 provides a three-year window for victims whose cases had previously expired. To see if you are still eligible for a lawsuit, contact our office without delay. Keep in mind that the 3-year window expires at the end of this year (December 31, 2022), so you must act right away if you are interested in seeking compensation.

But what if you are an adult who was sexually assaulted at a Chabad center or another type of Jewish organization? We specifically mention Chabad houses because many of these are located on or near college campuses. If you are a college student (18 years or older) who was sexually abused at a Chabad center, you have 10 years from the most recent act of abuse to bring a legal action against the perpetrator. You may also have grounds to sue the Chabad Shaliach and Shalucha (those running the Chabad house), and other parties that failed to report your incident or tried to conceal / destroy evidence related to your sexual assault.

Average Value of a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

On the one hand, it’s a disservice to give an average value for these lawsuits, as the impact of a sexual assault is different for each victim. On the other hand, there’s no denying the high settlements that are associated with sex abuse cases against religious entities, like the Catholic Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the Church of Scientology.

Sexual abuse lawsuits involving rape against a minor are the most valuable; these cases may be worth up to several million dollars. But other forms of sexual abuse, such as molestation, grooming, exchanging sexually explicit material, can also cause the victim irreparable harm. Settlements of $1 million or more are not unusual in these cases, depending on the degree of negligence by the organization.

Case values can be significant if the victim qualifies for “treble damages.” This is a provision under AB-218, which states that organizations engaging in cover ups of sexual abuse may be ordered to pay triple the amount of damages that the victim would have received. That alone can result in a multi-million dollar settlement, but of course, you will need strong evidence to show deliberate acts of concealment by a Jewish youth organization. If you need a lawyer with experience in sexual assault claims against religious groups, contact us to schedule a free case review.

Length of time to Settle a Child Sexual Assault Case

We know how important it is to achieve justice in a timely manner when you are dealing with the ramifications of childhood sexual assault. In many cases, we can agree on a settlement with the liable entities and bring you your payment in 6 to 8 months. However, cases that go back many years are undeniably complicated, even more so when a religious organization is involved. Depending on the level of resistance by the organization, it can take 12 to 18 months to negotiate a settlement. In the event that it becomes necessary to try your case in court, recovering your damages can take up to several years.

Schedule a Second Opinion

Unfortunately, some clients end up with lawyers who are not up to the task of taking on their case. Many of them are quick to sign you up, but are unavailable for weeks or months at a time. Others lack the experience needed for a complex injury claim, and the end result is a settlement that’s far below what the victim deserves. If you can relate to what we are saying here, please consider a second opinion from the lawyers of Normandie. This is a no-obligation, 100% free case review with one of our attorneys. By the end of your consultation, you can decide if switching your lawyer is the best option, or if it’s best to stay with your current law firm. We are happy to advise you either way, so please schedule a second opinion with the lawyers of Normandie.

Free Legal Services for Sexual Assault Victims

The cost of legal services should be placed on the party that has harmed you, which is why we offer a Zero fee guarantee. This means you pay us absolutely nothing for the entire duration of your case. How are we able to do this? We include our fees in your settlement request, meaning they are paid by the other party along with your compensation award. Even better, the only way we get paid is if you get paid, so there is no loss to you whatsoever regardless of the outcome of your case.

We look forward to representing you and fighting for the damages you are entitled to. Give us a call and speak to a California sexual abuse lawsuit attorney.

Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Islamic Private School Sexual Assault Attorney – Madrassa
Sexual Abuse in After School Programs Lawsuit Attorney
What Is the Average Value of a School Sexual Abuse Case?