New York School Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Sexual abuse in schools and universities is a growing problem in the United States. In college alone, one in five women and one in sixteen men will be sexually assaulted. If you or a loved one is a survivor of this serious crime, our New York school sexual abuse lawyers want to help. At Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, we are dedicated to helping survivors of sexual abuse receive the support and respect they deserve during this stressful time.
Why Choose Us?
At Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, we are dedicated to helping all those who are survivors of school sexual abuse.
- We have more than 20 years of experience representing survivors of sexual abuse.
- We won the largest child abuse settlement against any public school district in the United States recovering $140 million for our clients.
- We have a proven record of success against schools for allowing children to be victimized by their staffs. This includes successfully representing more than 100 survivors of school abuse.
- In order to protect your rights and your identity, your case is kept 100% confidential and anonymous, if necessary.
- Healing is our primary focus. We pursue schools for financial compensation to facilitate change at the institutional level, not for monetary gain.
Why Hire a School Sexual Abuse Lawyer?
At Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, we understand the difficulties of coming forward as a survivor of school abuse. The emotional distress and helplessness associated with the aftermath of an assault can seem insurmountable. However, an attorney who is experienced in sexual abuse cases can help you by:
- Pursuing compensation on your behalf so that you receive the financial support you deserve.
- Taking care of the legal proceedings while you focus on recovery and healing.
- Holding any and all responsible parties liable for their negligent actions.
- Negotiating with the other party on your behalf so that you do not have to face your abusers.
We believe in providing support and help in anyway we can to provide peace of mind and promote healing in our clients.
Who is Liable?
Due to the serious nature of sexual abuse, many parties may be held liable for their negligent actions which contributed to the abuse. This includes:
- The abuser
- Any authorities who were aware of the abuse but did not take action. These include teachers, administrators and coaches.
- Any security officers who were negligent in their actions to protect students on campus
- The school district or other higher presiding organizations who may have hired the abuser, despite knowing they had a history of sexual abuse.
At Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, we thoroughly investigate each case to ensure that all parties directly or indirectly responsible for your abuse are held accountable for their careless, negligent actions.
Sexual Abuse vs Sexual Harassment
It is important to note that there is a difference between sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Although both involve sexually inappropriate remarks and actions, sexual abuse is a much more serious crime because it is most directly tied to explicit acts of sex – whereas sexual harassment involves actions that invoke implications of sexual activity.
Sexual harassment, while not as serious as sexual abuse, is still a serious problem in all schools. Examples of harassment include:
- Making sexual comments or jokes
- Unwanted contact, such as hugging, kissing, or groping
- Pulling on intimate clothing such as bra straps and underwear
- Suggestive gestures
- Being the subject of a sexual rumor
- Quid pro quo harassment – bargaining for sex, e.g. “If you have sex with me, you’ll get an A”
Although no sex acts typically occur in harassment cases, sexual harassment is still a crime, and it must be reported to the proper authorities.
Signs of Sexual Abuse in School
It is not always easy to detect sexual abuse in minors, but many present common warning signs. This includes:
- Unexplained sexually transmitted infections
- Signs of trauma to genital areas
- Sexual behavior that is inappropriate for the child’s age
- New developments of separation anxiety and not wanting to be left alone with certain adults or teachers
- Nightmares
- Excessive talking about sexual activity
- Resuming any behaviors they may have outgrown, such as thumbsucking and bedwetting
Contact Our School Sexual Abuse Attorneys
If you or a loved one encountered sexual abuse at a school or university, please contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We believe that you deserve compensation for your damages, and that the responsible parties deserve justice for their despicable actions. Let us help you receive the support you need to make a full recovery. Call us today.