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When parents send their children to school, they never expect that the adults entrusted with their care would abuse that trust. Unfortunately, this is not always a safe assumption. Some teachers, school administrators, and other staff abuse the children in their charge. Our Missouri child sexual abuse attorneys want to help protect your child and prevent further abuse from occurring in the future.
We encourage you to contact us today at (913) 214-8606 for a free, consultation with an experienced Missouri school sexual abuse attorney so we can explain how we can help.
While the individual sexual perpetrator gives into deviant sexual impulses when they choose to abuse a child, many instances of school sexual abuse do not occur without systemic issues being in place. Schools may fail to properly protect children, create a way to report sex crimes against children, or fail to properly respond once allegations are raised of child sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse is much more common than anyone wants to admit. According to reports from the U.S. Department of Justice, approximately 20% of 14- to 17-year old girls are sexually abused. Even more shockingly, a federal report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office says that nearly one in ten K-12 students are subjected to sexual misconduct by teachers, coaches, principals, bus drivers, and other staff. The report indicated that part of the problem is that schools lack a systemic approach to preventing and reporting school sexual abuse.
Some schools do not respond appropriately to reports of child sexual abuse and may simply transfer teachers to another school in the district or fail to rehire them without indicating anything related to sexual abuse that would serve as a warning to other schools. Sometimes, schools fail to conduct proper background checks so they are unaware of prior accusations of sexual misconduct.
Recent news reports have surfaced concerning multiple reports of sexual abuse in Missouri schools. These reports allege that the Christian Boarding School Circle of Hope Girls’ Ranch and nearby facility for boys, Agape Boarding School, that students were abused by the founders of the schools, including sexual and physical abuse. Dozens of former students claim similar instances of child abuse they were subjected to while attending the boarding schools. The founders face charges for about 100 crimes based on the allegations lodged against them. Agape’s doctor also faces child sex crimes and five employees are facing assault charges. The Kansas City Star has reported that Agape and several other face-based boarding schools relocated to Missouri after their schools were shut down in other states amid allegations of child abuse or neglect. Missouri is now considering laws that would allow for oversight over religious boarding schools founded in the state.
If you or your child was physically or sexually abused at Circle of Hope, Agape Boarding School, or another boarding, religious, private, or public school, we want to hear your story. Contact us today for a free and confidential case review.
When parents find out that their child has been sexually abused in school, they often wonder whose fault it is that such deplorable actions occurred. Depending on the circumstances, the following parties may be to blame for school sexual abuse:
DRZ Law is one of the few law firms that focuses on cases involving institutionalized sexual abuse as a legal specialty area. We can use our more than 20 years of legal experience to help you and your child through this process. We understand that you are not only seeking financial compensation for the abuse your child endured and that you want meaningful change to occur so that another child does not have to go through the same ordeal. Contact us today for a confidential consultation so we can review your legal options.
Victims of sexual abuse face an uphill battle and a future fraught with difficulty. While every survivor of sexual abuse handles the situation differently, some of the potential consequences include:
Tending to the trauma caused by sexual abuse can be daunting, especially if you are trying to handle everything alone. Pursuing a civil claim may help you to hold the perpetrator and those that allowed the abuse to occur accountable and also provide you with the resources you will need for ongoing treatment.
The DRZ Law firm has been the driving force behind significant change in schools in Missouri and Kansas. We are ready to help you fight for the justice you and your family deserve.
Under Title IX and the Missouri Human Rights Act, schools have certain responsibilities when they are notified of accusations of sexual abuse, including:
Schools that fail to uphold these legal responsibilities may be subject to claims against them by victims and their families.
If you have recently found out that your child has been sexually abused in school or you are a child sex abuse survivor yourself, the Missouri school sexual abuse attorneys at the DRZ Law firm can help. We are familiar with the laws surrounding this area of the law and the remedies available to you. Contact us today at (913) 214-8606 to arrange a free case evaluation at our Kansas City office, your home, or over Zoom.
We are open and available during Covid-19 via Zoom/video chat or in-person. Contact us if you have any questions. Close