Washington, D.C. Lawyers: When Coaches Commit Sexual Abuse
Holding coaches, schools, and youth organizations accountable for sexual abuse
Sexual abuse by coaches is inexcusable. Schools (primary, secondary, and post-secondary), community youth organizations, and regional and national organizations must prioritize the safety of children. At Nace Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we hold coaches and every entity that should have protected your child accountable when coaches use their positions of trust and power to sexually abuse or assault children of any age.
Activities involving coaching include sports run by school and university athletic departments, cheerleading, musicals and plays, dance, music, art, debate, yearbook, and many other educational and cultural activities. Colleges and universities often offer activities that have coaches or supervisors as well.
Your child deserves the right to enjoy and learn while participating in these activities without fear or worry of coaches who abuse their position to take advantage of any child. We seek compensation for all of your child’s trauma and all short-term and long-term damages, no matter your child’s age. We may also seek punitive damages.
Contact us now to discuss your child’s rights and hold those responsible accountable. Adults who were abused as children can contact us directly.
How can we help?
- What is sexual abuse of a child?
- How do coaches commit sexual abuse of children in Washington, D.C.?
- Why do students fail to report sexual abuse by a coach?
- What physical and emotional injuries does sexual abuse of children cause?
- What duty do schools, youth organizations, and individuals have to report childhood sexual abuse?
- What steps should schools, youth organizations, and others take to prevent sexual abuse of children?
- What are the signs of sexual abuse of a child?
- Who is liable for sexual abuse of children by coaches in Washington, D.C.?
- What compensation can children/parents receive for sexual abuse of children?
- FAQs
- Do you have a Washington, D.C. sexual abuse of a child lawyer near me?
What is sexual abuse of a child?
There are many legal and psychological definitions of sexual abuse. The laws include criminal penalties for rape, sexual assault, and other offenses. The individuals who commit sexual abuse should be held criminally accountable.
At Nace Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we file civil personal injury claims on behalf of children when adults commit sexual abuse and when the entities like schools, youth organizations, and universities fail their duty to protect your child from sexual abuse.
Under D.C. law, the general age of consent is 16, but minors under 18 cannot consent to sexual activity with adults in a significant relationship, including coaches, teachers, youth program staff, or others in positions of authority. Secondary school students under 20 also receive separate protections involving school authority figures. Sexual abuse of a child may occur when an adult or an older child commits the abuse.
According to the National Children’s Alliance, sexual abuse can include both touching and non-touching behaviors. “If any adult engages in sexual activity with a [minor] child, that is sexual abuse.” Adult students must also give their consent to any sexual activity.
Sexual abuse includes rape, assault, exposure to child abuse images, exhibitionism, online exploitation, and many other sexual activities.
Coaches may sexually abuse children and older students during:
- School or after-school programs
- Community or church-sponsored events
- Local sports leagues and clubs
- Private mentoring sessions
- Summer camps
How do coaches commit sexual abuse of children in Washington, D.C.?
Minor children and college students place their trust in coaches. Coaches have a power imbalance over children due to their age and the authority of the coach.
Coaches who commit abuse normally take advantage of a child’s trust, a child’s failure to understand what is taking place, and a child’s fear of saying no. Coaches also take advantage of children through the fear of retribution if the child informs their parents, supervisors, or other adults – by threatening the child. Threats may include not being allowed to participate in sports, arts, or other activities, or they could be direct physical threats and verbal threats.
Coaches may commit sexual abuse of a child in the following ways, among others:
- Promising advancement, such as being an active player on a baseball team or a band, if the child engages in sexual activities, or punishment if they fail to engage in sexual activities.
- Grooming the child by gaining their trust and friendship.
- Touching a child in an inappropriate way
- Emotionally manipulating a child
- Making a child perform more work (such as more exercises) if they fail to engage in sexual conduct
Generally, other coaches should be visible when any coach works with a child.
Why do students fail to report sexual abuse by a coach?
Many students (minors and adults) don’t report sexual abuse by their coach for the following reasons:
- Embarrassment
- Fear of punishment by the coach
- Fear they won’t be believed
- Fear that they can’t prove what happened
- Lack of understanding
- Not knowing where to report the abuse
- Fear of pressure from children in their age group
What physical and emotional injuries does sexual abuse of children cause?
According to Psychology Today, some of the short-term and long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse (which may be delayed for years) include the following:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Personality disorders
- Eating disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance abuse
- Suicide attempts
- Digestive and heart disorders
- Obesity
- Difficulties keeping and maintaining relationships
- Sexual dysfunction
- Socioeconomic consequences, including lower pay, less education, and fewer skills
The effects of childhood sexual abuse can last a lifetime.
Adult students and organization participants may also suffer from all of the above disorders.
What duty do schools, youth organizations, and individuals have to report childhood sexual abuse?
Coaches, teachers, schools, school districts, colleges, youth organizations, physicians, and others may all have a duty to report suspected sexual abuse of a child in Washington, D.C. There are federal and local laws that govern the duty to report sexual abuse of children.
Our Washington, D.C. coach sexual abuse lawyers will explain which reporting laws apply to your child.
These laws include the following:
The Washington, D.C. laws
District of Columbia law (see D.C. Code § 4-1321.02 and § 22-3020.52) requires that certain professionals (such as teachers, school officials, and coaches) must report suspected child abuse to the police (911) or the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (202-671-SAFE).
Other mandatory reporters include physicians, psychologists, law enforcement officers, Department of Parks and Recreation employees, public housing resident managers, social service workers, and daycare workers.
There are specific standards for when, how, and where to report child sexual abuse.
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 requires that schools that receive federal funding (many schools do) address sexual harassment and assault. The duty to report depends on various factors that we’ll explain.
Nancy Hogshead-Makar and the Safe Sport Act
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act, also called the Safe Sport Act, was enacted on February 14, 2018. This law mandates that members of amateur sports organizations (such as Olympic sports) report sexual abuse and requires them to implement protections for all athletes.
What steps should schools, youth organizations, and others take to prevent sexual abuse of children?
In addition to mandatory reporting requirements, the individuals, schools, universities, and organizations that have a duty to protect children from sexual abuse by coaches should:
- Conduct background checks on the coaches they hire
- Implement written policies and procedures to protect children and adult participants from sexual abuse
- Create environments where children and adult students are safe, such as ensuring that children are not isolated with just one adult
- Promptly investigate and respond to complaints of sexual abuse
- Ensure that children understand who they can talk to about sexual abuse
- Educate parents about how they can recognize the signs of sexual abuse of their children
What are the signs of sexual abuse of a child?
According to the National Children’s Alliance, some of the signs of sexual abuse of a child include the following. These signs also apply to young adults.
- Behavioral changes. These include changes in daily activities, such as eating, sleeping, and schoolwork.
- Mood changes. Your child may withdraw, be anxious, be sad, or no longer participate in the activities they used to like.
- Younger children may suck their thumbs or wet their bed.
- Children and young adults may avoid certain places and people where abuse may have taken place.
- Take risks. Children and young adults may use drugs or alcohol. They may try to harm themselves.
- Improper sexual behavior. Some may take sexual risks that they shouldn’t.
Who is liable for sexual abuse of children by coaches in Washington, D.C.?
Generally, the local prosecutors should file criminal actions against the coaches who sexually abuse children.
At Nace Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we file personal injury claims, usually through the parents or guardians of a child (adults can file their claims on their own), against the people and organizations who had a duty to prevent the abuse and failed to do so. The responsible defendants may include:
- The coach who committed the sexual abuse
- Schools (public and private)
- School districts (public and private)
- Colleges and universities
- Local community organizations
These entities generally have a duty to protect your child during any school activity or community activity. As we discussed above, these entities may be liable for failing to take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, investigate complaints against coaches, discipline coaches, and ensure a safe environment for your child.
What compensation can children/parents receive for sexual abuse of children?
Our experienced Washington, D.C. coaching sexual abuse lawyers file a personal injury complaint on behalf of your child (if your child is a minor) for all the current and future financial, physical, and emotional damages your child has suffered. We file personal injury claims for adults – either when a minor child becomes an adult, or if your child was an adult when the sexual abuse by a coach occurred.
We work with child and adult psychiatrists and psychologists, rape and sexual assault counselors, family doctors, and specialists to understand the full scope and severity of your child’s trauma. We also speak with you and your child directly to understand every way the sexual abuse is affecting your child’s life.
Our team seeks compensation for all your child’s damages, including:
- Medical bills of every nature by every medical provider
- Your child’s daily and long-term physical pain and emotional suffering
- Your child’s inability to earn a living
- Your child’s inability to enjoy life
- Any loss of bodily function
- Your child’s emotional scars
- All other applicable damages, including punitive damages
FAQs
What is the timeline for filing a sexual abuse of a child claim in Washington, D.C.?
Please contact us as soon as you suspect sexual abuse of your child by a coach. We want to protect your child’s rights and ensure that they are receiving the medical help they need.
The timelines for filing a civil sexual abuse action in Washington, D.C., against an institution (like a school) depend on the facts of the case.
Generally, in Washington, D.C., according to the Council for the District of Columbia, the statute of limitations for civil claims against coaches, schools, and school districts is as follows:
- If the victim was less than 35 years of age
- When the sexual abuse occurred, the sexual abuse claim must be filed by the time the victim turns 40 years old, or within 5 years from when the victim knew, or reasonably should have known, of any act constituting sexual abuse, whichever is later.
- If the victim was 35 years of age or older
- Within 5 years, or 5 years from when the victim knew, or reasonably should have known, of any act constituting sexual abuse, whichever is later.
Please contact us to discuss the specific notice and lawsuit timelines for your child’s case. We can explain if there are any changes to the deadlines.
Claims against the District of Columbia may require written notice within six months after the injury under D.C. Code § 12-309, subject to exceptions and claim-specific rules.
What steps should parents take to protect their children if sexual abuse occurs?
If you suspect that a coach has sexually abused your child, you should:
- Seek medical help for your child. This help may include rape and assault counseling. Medical help often requires psychological counseling, which may be long-term.
- Report the abuse to local law enforcement.
- Contact our experienced personal injury lawyers.
- Use local resources. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health provides many resources.
Adult children, such as students at Georgetown University, George Washington University, Howard University, or American University, should follow these recommendations, too.
Do you have a Washington, D.C., sexual abuse of a child lawyer near me?
Yes, we do. Our main office, which is just a 2-minute walk from The Washington Harbour in Georgetown, is located at 1025 Thomas Jefferson St NW #810, Washington, D.C. 20007. We also discuss cases by phone and through online video. When necessary, we can make alternative arrangements to meet with you and your child.
We’re here to guide you and/or your child step-by-step through the claims process.
Get help from our Washington, D.C., coaching sexual abuse lawyers now
Nace Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers has been a strong advocate for personal injury victims for 20 years. Sexual assaults of children are horrific. Many sexual abuse victims face numerous financial challenges and long-term physical and emotional trauma. We work to seek to maximize the possible recovery under the law so that you and your family can move forward.
Please call us or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We’re ready to fight for your child’s future and hold those who should have protected your child accountable.