Schools should be safe spaces. Students should not experience sexual or any other abuse by teachers, staff, or other students. Tragically, however, some students are victimized at school, failed by the adults they trusted to create opportunities for learning and growth. Hardly a week goes by without media stories of abuse now-adults suffered as students or today’s children have suffered recently.
Sometimes, abusers are punished for their crimes through the criminal justice system, but that criminal debt is not the only one they owe. If you or your child has experienced school sexual abuse, a Lansing sexual abuse lawyer can help you get personal justice.
A Lansing school sexual abuse lawyer from our firm will fight fiercely to hold your abuser accountable, demanding they compensate you for the pain they have caused. White Law PLLC served over 30,000 clients nationwide, and now we are ready to get to work for you.
Exposing School Sexual Abusers
Stories of abuse from decades ago have entered the spotlight only recently. Sadly, stories of current abuse continue to emerge, but often with an important difference. Today’s victims are more likely to get justice with the help of an experienced Lansing personal injury lawyer.
The U.S. Department of Education recently implemented the Fact Sheet: Title IX Final Rule Overview. These measures strengthen protections for students from sexual harassment, violence, and acts of sex-based discrimination. It is clear these measures are needed In light of statistics reported by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, which show:
- 13,799 incidents of sexual violence over a recent year, representing a 43% increase from the previous year
- 13,114 incidents of sexual assault over a recent year, representing a 42% increase from the previous year
These statistics represent total abuse incidents, those committed by students, faculty, or staff. While the abusers themselves are responsible for their own behavior, they may not be the only liable parties. If you or your child experienced school sexual abuse, school administrators and districts overall may bear culpability–a school sexual abuse lawyer in Lansing, MI, will fight to hold all negligent parties accountable.
Sexual Abuse Committed by Educators
The Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA) conducted a study of 6632 recent high school graduates from several states. The study, titled Nature and Scope of Educator Misconduct, shows school sexual abuse remains a problem. The study showed:
- 11.7% of participants experienced some form of educator sexual misconduct during their K-12 education. Of this total, only 4% reported the abuse
- Academic teachers committed 63% of offenses
- Coaches and physical education instructors committed 20% of offenses
- Most victims, 72%, were female
- Most offenders, 85%, were male
Sexual misconduct covered a variety of behaviors, including intercourse, oral sex, sexual touching, kissing, grooming, gift-giving, sending sexually oriented photos and messages, and making sexual comments.
According to the study, students who experienced abuse showed increased levels of difficulty in “current psychosocial functioning” than those who did not. Victims of these disgraceful predators deserve compensation, and a White Law PLLC teacher sexual abuse lawyer can help them get it.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Financial Justice for You and Help for Others
Sexual abuse is not just a physical act. It is an emotional and psychological violation. Victims often struggle to maintain healthy relationships, suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental trauma, self-medicate with alcohol and drugs, or have difficulty finding their way forward to a contented, productive life.
There are many reasons why sexual abuse victims should pursue personal injury claims. By fighting for justice, victims can regain a sense of control over their lives, leading them toward a more hopeful future, and they can find great satisfaction in knowing they have helped others.
Other abuse victims may see a way through their pain and realize they are not alone, and potential victims may be alerted to “red flags” that help them avoid dangerous situations.
Victims also expose their abusers, denying these predators the safety of secrecy. These emotional outcomes are critical for healing, but there is still more justice to demand. A school sexual abuse lawyer in Lansing will also fight for financial justice to cover the following:
- Counseling costs, those incurred, and future costs if you need additional therapy
- Medical costs for physical injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, or other conditions inflicted by your sexual abuse
- Acknowledgment of your psychological distress and emotional trauma
- Lost wages if you needed time away from work to recover, or lost opportunities if the abuse led to consequences preventing you from pursuing a career and financial independence
- Other abuse-incurred costs
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Compassionate Representation and Aggressive Advocacy
Trust your school sexual abuse attorney in Lansing to treat you with empathy and compassion. Our goal is to bring you healing through justice, not cause more trauma. Our experienced team will take steps to protect your privacy in a sex abuse lawsuit. If you need to file a child sexual abuse claim, we will keep your child’s best interests at the forefront of every decision.
Our team cares about your well-being and can direct you to sexual abuse support groups and resources so you feel safe and supported throughout the process.
At the same time, we will pursue your case against your abuser aggressively. We will explore all sources of evidence, building a strong case to expose their actions and prove their liability. Whether your abuser has faced criminal charges or penalties or you are the first to bring their transgressions to light, White Law PLLC will work tirelessly to get you justice through the civil court system.
Your school sexual abuse attorney in Lansing, MI, will work to reach an out-of-court settlement through negotiations with your abuser’s representatives. This kind of resolution keeps you out of the courtroom and typically takes less time than a trial. If your abuser refuses to cooperate or agrees to a just compensation amount, our team will be ready to fight for you in court, supporting and protecting you at every trial proceeding.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Standing with You, Fighting for You
White Law PLLC stands with victims. We have great respect for your decision to hold your abuser accountable and recognize the pain–and courage–involved in telling your story. You can depend on a Lansing school sexual abuse attorney from our firm to provide exceptional and supportive representation, exposing your abuser and demanding justice for your suffering.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
