Parents have faith that both private and public boarding schools are secure settings. That's regrettably not always the case. In such schools, our attorneys frequently witness cases of molestation and abuse at the hands of other students or school faculty. In the mistaken belief that private schools are safer and better regulated than public ones, many parents fork over a sizable sum of money for tuition.
If you or your child has been a victim of sexual assault while at private school, you may be left with many questions that our Maryland boarding school sexual assault attorneys hope to answer. You may also be here because:
You will require experienced and skilled counsel for abuse claims involving this kind of sexual misbehavior that took place at a boarding school or church. For a free legal consultation, child victims or their families can call one of our local offices today to speak with an attorney. Our law firm has offices throughout Maryland to better serve those Maryland sexual abuse victims.
According to Maryland State Department of Education, there were 44% more sexual abuse instances recorded at boarding schools in Maryland between 2013 and 2018. Additionally, 1 in 10 students at boarding schools there said they had experienced sexual abuse.
Many private schools have illustrious histories and traditions and are well-known in their neighborhoods. Parents and students are encouraged to take pride in attending a particular private school far more than many public school alumni, to the point where being a student or alumnus of the school may become a significant part of one's identity. It may be particularly difficult to report abuse because of this. Students may worry about being shunned by the community they have invested so much in and about being implicated in a scandal that could harm their friends and professors, who may have grown to be like family to them.
They could worry that by reporting the child sex abuse, they would become the focus of animosity and bullying. Many private and boarding schools also have long-standing religious links, making it harder for sexual abuse survivors to come out with abuse because they worry about being shunned by their religious groups.
Children who attend boarding schools must live away from their parents, making them considerably more susceptible to deception and downright predatory behavior. Additionally, students may live in dormitories with professors and other adults from the staff, giving potential predators risky access.
Since boarding school students may spend extended stretches of time away from their families, parents may not notice behavioral changes that indicate indicators of abuse, and kids may not have many opportunities to notify their parents about what's going on. However, there are some common signs of child sexual abuse that you can be on the lookout for, and having open communication while they are away can also help in understanding their life while at school. Some common signs include:
When families send their children to boarding schools, they expect them to protect children, provide care, receive a high-quality education, and live in a safe environment. However, school teachers or staff, even at well-known boarding schools, could still cause physical and psychological damage through sexual abuse, harassment, negligence, or emotional distress. Sexual predators could be at the school or cause damages due to:
Our legal team is committed to providing legal representation to boarding school students who have experienced sexual harassment and will work to ensure their rights are defended.
To learn more: Maryland Sexual Harassment Lawyers Representing Victims Of Abuse
Students or their parents may sue the school for any action or inaction that led to a student's wrongdoing and caused them harm. The school might also be held accountable if they didn't fully investigate a claim of abuse or take steps to halt or prevent future abuse of that student or other kids.
To protect the lives of the perpetrators and to avoid bad press, many educational authorities decide to conceal any occurrence of sexual assault on school grounds or by teachers. In many cases, the boarding school neglects to inform the local law enforcement about any event or alleged school sex claims that have occurred repeatedly.
Even one missed opportunity to report an abuse case to the authorities could have a lasting negative impact on the young victims. Statistics indicate that sexual misconduct at boarding schools is on the rise.
According to some estimates, 10% of all adolescents from kindergarten through high school will be subjected to inappropriate sexual behavior by an adult during their formative years, whether that adult is a parent, teacher, staff member, volunteer, coach, or someone else.
Predators typically engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct at a school function, a location, or off campus. Online activity is a non-contact scenario in about one out of every six cases. Post-traumatic stress disorder can arise after suffering any type of abuse.
Maryland laws provide invaluable support and resources to those who have been victims of sexual abuse. The state has strong legal protections in place to ensure victims have access to justice and proper support, such as the right to file civil suits and receive compensation for damages, as well as receive counseling and other essential services. Additionally, there are laws in place to protect victims’ identities, so they can safely and securely seek help without fear of retaliation or further victimization. Maryland also offers a 24-hour hotline, staffed by trained advocates, to provide help and advice to victims of sexual abuse. The Maryland Child Protective Services hotline is available 24/7 and can provide assistance to victims of sexual abuse and their families. Reporting any incidents of sexual abuse at school is essential to stopping the cycle of abuse and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.
Our law office fights for victims of sex abuse, and lawsuits are possible against boarding schools. These facilities can be liable for the abuse that happens to students under their care. Our attorneys for sexual abuse have answered some of the common questions they receive about sex abuse at boarding schools. If you have further questions about sexual abuse in Maryland, do not hesitate to call one of our local offices to speak directly with an attorney in a confidential consultation.
Sexual abuse or assault at boarding schools can involve both a criminal and civil lawsuit, meaning that more than one statute of limitations could apply. Maryland state law extended the statute of limitations in 2017 from 7 years after turning 18 up to 20 years after the victim reaches 18. This means that victims now have until 38 to file a claim against the predator or the institution.
The team of sexual abuse lawyers at Blank Kim Injury Law will investigate the specifics of your case and a full analysis of the statute of limitations can be made. Our local office can help sex abuse victims seek justice in a free and confidential consultation.
The Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023, proposed by the Maryland Attorney General's office, seeks to expand the definition of sexual abuse to include any act involving sexual abuse. This act will allow victims of childhood sexual abuse to bring civil suits against their abusers regardless of when the abuse occurred. The act also eliminates the statute of limitations for criminal cases involving the sexual abuse of a child and increases the statute of limitations for civil cases involving sexual abuse. This act is designed to give survivors of childhood sexual abuse a greater opportunity to seek justice and compensation.
Boarding school abuse lawyers are attorneys who have experience in representing victims of abuse at boarding schools. In addition, they have experience in handling cases of physical assault, sexual assault or abuse, and emotional abuse at the hand of school staff.
Boarding school assault lawyers are familiar with the laws governing boarding schools and the rights of school students. These dedicated attorneys can help victims of abuse obtain compensation for their injuries, helping victims obtain justice by filing lawsuits against their abusers. This can help the victim find both healing and closure.
Not only can they help file a lawsuit, but boarding school sex abuse lawyers can provide support and resources to victims of sexual abuse within a boarding school. They are dedicated to protecting the rights of boarding and private school students and ensuring that they receive the justice they deserve.
Sexual abuse cases have commonly been something victims are afraid to speak out about in fear of retaliation, shame, or threats from the predator. But victims should not be afraid to speak out about the abuse allegations, especially when speaking to the authorities or a boarding school abuse attorney in a confidential consultation. A boarding school sexual abuse attorney can help and you have legal options if a school faculty member or other staff members have conducted inappropriate touching or sexually assaulted you or your child.
It is possible to recover financial compensation against the facility, whether it is part of religious organizations, a private boarding school, or other educational institutions. Abuse doesn't just happen to female students, it can happen to anyone.
Our team of sexual abuse lawyers at Blank Kim Injury Law stands up for boarding school abuse victims. We assist survivors of sexual abuse in filing their Maryland sexual abuse lawsuits. We have experience with representing victims of childhood sexual abuse in court. We are committed to holding those liable in a sexual abuse case accountable for the harm they have caused. We understand the emotional and physical trauma that comes from childhood sexual abuse and we are here to help victims get the justice they deserve. Our Maryland sexual abuse attorneys fight aggressively and are passionate about making sure that those who committed the abuse are held liable in a sexual abuse case.
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