Los Angeles Boarding School Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Los Angeles Attorney for Sexual Abuse in Boarding School

Survivors of sexual abuse at boarding schools throughout Los Angeles and Southern California have options available to them and should not feel alone. Due to institutional self-preservation, schools often allow child abuse to continue while keeping survivors quiet. A Los Angeles boarding school sexual abuse lawyer from the DeMarco Law Firm can represent survivors to make their voices heard and take their power back.

Why Hire a Boarding School Sexual Abuse Lawyer From the DeMarco Law Firm?

Childhood sexual abuse is not just a practice area at the DeMarco Law Firm, it is our entire practice. We are well-versed in boarding school sexual abuse cases.

For more than two decades, Anthony DeMarco has been focused on seeking justice for survivors of child sexual abuse throughout Southern California. He has represented over 400 individuals who were victims of child sexual abuse, including numerous clients whose abuse occurred in boarding schools.

Understanding Los Angeles Boarding School Sexual Abuse Laws

A sexual act involving a child or adolescent is considered sexual abuse when the minor lacks consent, either legally or emotionally. At boarding schools, this includes both direct contact, such as molestation, and indirect contact, such as indecent exposure, grooming, coercion, or other activities.

Predators are typically people in authority, such as teachers and coaches. They can also be older students. Sexual abuse occurs when anyone uses their authority over a child in a trusted environment to exploit them sexually.

Many survivors aren’t sure if what happened to them counts as abuse, especially if it didn’t involve force or physical injury. People who experienced manipulation or coercion from someone in authority should hire a boarding school sexual abuse lawyer.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

Detecting sexual abuse becomes especially challenging when it occurs in boarding school environments. Victims frequently remain silent for extended periods because they are overcome with fear or shame and find themselves in a state of bewilderment.

Monitoring behavioral and emotional warning signs becomes critical when young people live away from home. Some common signs that sexual abuse has occurred include:

• Behavioral changes, especially sudden ones, such as withdrawal, aggression, anxiety, and depression
• No interest in doing things they once enjoyed doing
• A noticeable drop in grades
• Skipping classes
• Heavy reluctance to return to school
• Increased sexual behavior and language, especially when inappropriate for their age
• Unexplained injuries
• Self-harming behaviors, such as substance use or suicidal thoughts and actions

Each victim responds differently to sexual abuse, so no response guarantees that abuse has occurred. Additionally, some individuals may hide abuse for years. If you suspect that sexual abuse has occurred, contact a boarding school sexual abuse attorney right away.

Sexual Abuse Statistics

Understanding sexual abuse can be difficult without looking at the facts surrounding it. Sexual abuse is a widespread issue that requires dedicated legal support. According to RAINN, one in 9 girls and one in 20 boys under the age of 18 experience some form of sexual assault. About 90% of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Additionally, one in three adult female rape victims says the first occurrence happened between the ages of 11 and 17.

Los Angeles area survivors can utilize local resources, such as the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown LA, where numerous civil sexual abuse claims are filed. Our location offers easy access to the Rape Treatment Center at UCLA and Peace Over Violence, along with other organizations that deliver crisis counseling and sustained assistance to sexual abuse survivors.

We can help you navigate not only the legal resources in your community but also resources for healing.

What Makes Boarding School Sexual Abuse Unique

Boarding schools are intended to be safe spaces where students can grow. Yet, the very infrastructure in place to help them fulfill their missions can also enable abuse to thrive unchecked. Often, the people responsible for abuse are in positions of authority and trust in the school.

Authority figures, unfortunately, may have unsupervised access to children. There are also many cases of schools that cover up abuse to protect their reputations or staff. In some situations, students who report abuse are ignored, blamed, or even punished. These are just some of the ways that schools may foster a culture of silence and fear.

Additionally, the isolated aspect of boarding schools often makes abuse even worse. With limited access to their families, the children at these schools may have nowhere to turn. They might feel like they cannot trust anyone at the school to report the abuse to, especially if the person is otherwise a respected or even feared member of the community.

FAQs

What Are the Boarding School Sexual Abuse Laws in California?

Sexual abuse laws in California regulate sexual conduct such as lewd acts with a minor, and other offenses involving sexual contact between minors and adults.

The age of consent in California is 18. Child sexual abuse results in particularly severe penalties under California’s criminal code. Both criminal and civil penalties may exist for perpetrators, while survivors of child sexual abuse now benefit from extended time periods to bring legal claims.

What Is Penal Code 243.4 in California?

Under California Penal Code § 243.4(a), sexual battery involves unwanted intimate contact intended for sexual arousal or abuse, which occurs when the victim faces unlawful restraint or lacks awareness of the situation. The offense functions as a “wobbler” because it may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony with potential jail time, fines, and mandatory sex offender registration.

What Is the Sexual Abuse Reporting Act in California?

California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) is a legal statute that imposes on a number of professionals, such as teachers, doctors, therapists, and clergy, a duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect to law enforcement or child protective services. Reports must be filed without delay or at least within 36 hours after discovering or receiving information about the abuse. Failure to report may subject the mandated reporter to criminal liability.

What Is Defined as Sexual Assault in California?

In California, sexual assault is defined as any type of non-consensual sexual contact or behavior. It is important to note that consent must be freely given, informed, and reversible at any time. The law also recognizes that victims can be both adults and minors, with additional protections in place for children and vulnerable adults, such as the elderly and disabled.

Contact the DeMarco Law Firm Today

If your loved one suffered child sexual abuse at a Los Angeles boarding school, contact the DeMarco Law Firm today.