After-school programs are meant to help children thrive. Boys & Girls Clubs provide mentors for children – many of whom are home alone after school – to help them learn and grow. Their programs are meant to provide a safe place for kids to socialize. However, this is not always reality. Our Boys & Girls Club sex abuse lawyers are here to help when these safe environments turn into abusive ones.
Abusers may be:
- Employees
- Mentors
- Members
Your child’s story deserves to be heard, and justice must be served. Our caring and compassionate team has 55+ years of experience helping Indiana residents fight back against the injustices they experience.
Sexual abuse is a very traumatizing experience, especially for young boys and girls.
Approaching each case strategically requires a skillful attorney who is cautious not to re-victimize the child. The attorneys and support staff on our team are all trained by mental health professionals regarding how to manage the sensitive nature of these cases without impacting our clients’ trust or privacy.
If you or your loved one were a victim of sexual abuse at the Boys & Girls Club, we’re here to give you a voice.
Call us today at (866) 446-7478 or fill out our online form to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our compassionate attorneys.
National Stats
Every year, Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4 million children aged 6-16 across their 4,000 locations in the U.S. Local clubs focus on providing education, sports and recreation, health and wellness, art classes, workforce readiness programs, and more.
However, an investigation by Hearst Connecticut Media found 351 reports of abuse across 35 states. In some cases, the abuse carried on for years.
The results of the investigation are part of an alarming trend in the rise of sexual abuse cases in minors.
According to RAINN:
- 2 out 3 sexual abuse victims under the age of 18 are aged 12-17
- 34% of these victims are under age 12
- 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 20 boys under age 18 experience sexual abuse
- 59% of abusers are acquaintances
Children who are victims of sexual abuse or assault are:
- Four times more likely to experience PTSD in adulthood
- Three times more likely to experience a major depressive episode
- Four times more likely to abuse drugs
Recent Case Displays Abuse Still Occurs
Boys & Girls clubs nationwide have been at the center of sex abuse cases, and even with new measures put in place to stop abuse, it still occurs on a wide scale. One of the more recent cases involves a 41-year-old volunteer and a teenage girl.
Documentation of the abuse states that the first time the abuse occurred was in December 2019, when the girl was younger than 16. The volunteer, who also worked as a special needs educator, was a volleyball coach at the club.
Court documents state that the victim was pulled onto a bed and touched by the volunteer.
He continued the behavior during field trips, where there were reports of him touching the child in front of others. The man stopped volunteering and organized his own trips.
At this time, the parents trusted the man with their children, and he reportedly assaulted the victim multiple times. The victim did not report the abuse until she saw him in 2021 back at the Boys & Girls Club and decided to step forward to prevent other potential victims from being abused.
While the man denies the allegations, his ex-wife states that he has abusive and erratic behaviors.
I Was a Victim. Who Can I Report To?
If you, your child or someone else you know is a victim of abuse, you should take action immediately. Boys & Girls Clubs have a legal responsibility to do a few things:
- Prevent abuse
- Report abuse allegations
- Protect all members
Of course, responsibility does allow for some exceptions. The club cannot control everyone’s actions, and inappropriate actions can occur outside of the club by staff. Your first steps are to:
- Remove the child from the dangers that are posed to them at the Club and ensure their safety. Removing them from the Club and breaking any contact with the offending staff member is a necessity.
- Report the incident to staff and demand a review. Staff should report the incident to the authorities, but you may want to make the report yourself.
- Report the incident to the police immediately. Law enforcement should be alerted to the issue.
Boys & Girls Club has a duty to take every report of abuse seriously and take appropriate measures to prevent recurrence.
You can also:
- Contact your own lawyer (us) to seek justice
- File a civil lawsuit against all those at-fault
Civil lawsuits will bring a lot of attention to the case, but it also brings the allegations to light. You may find that during the lawsuit, other victims who never had a voice will decide to come forward to hold the people at fault accountable for their actions.
Our Boys & Girls Club sex abuse lawyers can help you through this trying, intense time. Your top priority should be helping your loved one heal from the trauma they’ve experienced.
We’ll take care of the rest.
Victims have a right to privacy and compassion. We’ll uphold these rights while fighting for the compensation and justice you deserve. Our goal is to seek the maximum penalties that the law offers while ensuring that this individual never has the opportunity to hurt another child put in their trust.
The Claim Process
Filing a claim against the Boys & Girls Club alone is not recommended. Working with a lawyer who understands your rights and the claims process will make the process much less stressful.
Your claim starts with a call to our office.
We’ll follow a standard claims process, including:
- Working with you to better understand what transpired at the Club
- Determine fault, which may include one or more people
- Prepare to go to court where necessary
You may decide to pursue a settlement, avoiding going to court, but we’ll cross this bridge if we reach it. For now, you should start the claims process as soon as possible when evidence may be available and before anyone else may be harmed.
Damages in a Boys & Girls Club Sex Abuse Case
In cases involving sexual abuse, the damages you seek will depend on the individual losses incurred. Our Boys & Girls Club sex abuse lawyers can help you seek compensation for:
- Psychological treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Physical and emotional scars
- Hospitalization costs
We may also seek punitive damages for the club’s failure to prevent the abuse.
Resources for Survivors
- RAINN
- Take Back the Night
- The Center for Women and Families
- After Silence
- American Psychological Association Practice Organization
Contact Boys & Girls Club Sex Abuse Lawyers
If your child or someone you love attended a Boys & Girls Club and is a victim of sexual misconduct, call us today at (866) 446-7478. Our compassionate attorneys are here to help you understand your options and the best course forward.
Our attorneys are trained by mental health professionals so as not to re-victimize Plaintiffs when telling their stories. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and prioritize the privacy of our clients while actively fighting on their behalf to seek the compensation they need to start the healing process.
