Teachers and other school employees should protect children. Yet, nearly 400 kids a year are sexually abused in a school. The abuse can happen at any age or grade. However, most of the sexual abuse is never reported. Therefore, experts expect the abuse by teachers, coaches, school employees and other students is far greater than 400 kids a year.
Public Schools
Public schools are often the first education institutions in the media with abuse occurring there. Too often, school administrators and teachers’ unions have concealed, minimized, or ignored the abuse. These schools should adopt effective preventative measures to protect children. These include thorough background screening, ensuring adults aren’t alone with a child, abuse awareness training for teachers, coaches, parents, and children. When a child is abused at school, the entire public school failed and should be help accountable.
Private Schools
The abuse in a private school are often found with religious ties to clergy abuse. Most of these small schools propel the falsehood that abuse could never happen at their small school. With smaller class sizes and student populations, parents end up knowing a majority of the students and other care givers. However, this added trust allows a predator easier access. Since these schools involve a religious element when a victim does develop the courage to come forward, the school family protects the teachers and not the abused child.
Boarding Schools
With boarding schools, the children live on campus during the school year. While away, the staff, teachers, administrations and coaches become surrogate parents. They are often trusted and spend long periods of time with the kids. Even some will supervisor and check on the children at night. This gives easy access to predators. Plus, being away from families for months at a time makes it less likely a student will report sexual abuse. period of time.
A boarding school demands the highest level of trust. Parents are leaving their beloved children for 10 months out of the year and expect the institution to protect them. When it does not, you should hold the boarding school accountable. Even if the abuse happened a few years ago, there could still be civil litigation avenues.
Foreign Exchange Students
When children agree to participate in a foreign exchange program, this grants them an amazing opportunity to submerge themselves in a new cultural experience. The United States is the most popular location for exchange students. In fact, America hosts over a million students each year. However, when a foreign exchange student comes to America, he or she is completely dependent on the host family. Many may not be fluent in the host country language or could confuse cultural norms and not know they have been abused. Coupled with not knowing there still can be legal options after returning home. This is why it is important to call for a free case review. There is no obligation, and every review is confidential.
Day Care
Working families depend on child care services in order to be able to work. Almost 60% of all children attend on in the United States. These day care facilities often care for children 8 or more hours of the day. This is why parents rely upon them to create a safe environment. Yet, some do not properly supervise children or screen potential employees. Then, children are hurt. If your child was abused in a day care facility, you should know there are legal options. They can’t change what happened, but it can help prevent the abuse from happening to others in the future.
Get Legal Help
Survivors of sexual abuse can file civil suits against perpetrators and other responsible parties, regardless of the outcome or existence of a criminal prosecution. Civil lawsuits can help a survivor seek monetary damages. This compensation can never change the abuse suffered but can help rebuild a life.
When a school takes advantage of you, this is wrong. We will hold these institutions liable.
Plus, a civil suit can deter future abuse. This is why it is important if you or a loved one was the victim of sexual abuse to contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm. We will provide a free consultation and instruct of any avenues available to you for civil litigation.