Monterey School Sexual Abuse Attorney

School should be a safe place for children to grow, learn and develop. It should not be the setting of traumatizing and life-changing crimes such as child sexual abuse. Unfortunately, teachers and others at school cannot always be trusted to do the right thing. If you or your child is a survivor of Monterey school sexual abuse, we can help. Contact Manly, Stewart & Finaldi for legal assistance. We can start your case with a free and confidential case evaluation.

What Is School Sexual Abuse?

School sexual abuse can refer to any type of intimate, romantic or sexual relationship between a teacher and a student. It can also refer to sexual or inappropriate touching, fondling, groping, kissing or other forms of physical contact without an individual’s consent. Note that minors under the age of 18 cannot legally give their consent to sexual activity in California. Finally, sexual abuse can refer to sex crimes, such as rape, attempted rape and statutory rape.

Common examples of sexual abuse and assault at school include sexual bullying, harassment, hazing and molestation. Student sexual abuse can be committed by a teacher, principal, administrator, another staff member, a fellow classmate of the victim or strangers on campus. It can also take place between two teenagers who are involved in a relationship if one does not give his or her consent to sexual contact.

When Can You Sue a School District?

School districts can often be held liable, or legally and financially responsible, for cases of student sexual abuse. The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District can be named as a defendant in most sexual assault and abuse cases involving its schools and staff members. This includes Monterey High School, Seaside High School, Central Coast High School, Marina High School, Foothill Elementary, Highland Elementary and La Mesa Elementary.

A school district can be held responsible for student sexual abuse that it negligently failed to prevent. Negligence is the failure to act with ordinary or reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person. For example, if administrators should have but failed to hire safe teachers and staff members, supervise students, train staff on anti-sexual harassment measures, and put reporting protocols in place, the district can be held liable for negligence.

School Sexual Abuse Is Widely Underreported – Here’s How You Can Detect the Signs

School sexual abuse occurs more often than most parents realize in Monterey, California. This is partly because victims often keep quiet about the crimes they have endured. Child sex abuse survivors may not fully understand what happened to them or be willing to come forward until many years later. As a parent, you may be able to help your child by detecting the signs of school sexual abuse early. Red flags may include:

  • Signs of physical trauma, such as injuries to the genital area
  • Withdrawal from friends, relationships or favorite activities
  • Nightmares, anxiety or other signs of post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Reluctance to go to school or be around a certain teacher or coach
  • Personal hygiene issues or an unkempt appearance
  • Sudden changes in eating or sleeping patterns
  • Unusual interest or knowledge of sexual subjects
  • Suicidal or self-harm behaviors

Talk to your child about school sexual abuse if you suspect this crime. Explain to your child that he or she isn’t in trouble, and you believe him or her. If you have reason to believe that your child has been sexually abused at a school in Monterey, report it to the police and authorities within the school district. Then, contact an attorney at Manly, Stewart & Finaldi to arrange a free consultation with one of our experienced school sex abuse attorneys.

Request a Free Case Consultation in Monterey, CA Today

You can have greater mental peace to focus on coping, healing and moving forward after experiencing a sexual trauma with one of our lawyers assigned to your school sexual abuse case. We will take care of the legal side of things for you while you concentrate on healing. We will investigate your case, search for all available evidence, and go up against one or more parties on your behalf in the pursuit of justice. Contact Manly, Stewart & Finaldi today for more information. Request your free private consultation at (831) 215-2150.