Instructor Sexual Assault Lawyer

At Bachus & Schanker, our sexual assault lawyers are committed to protecting our community members who have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted instructor. Our intentionally assembled Victim’s Advocates Team works alongside our specialized Elite Litigation Group to help you receive the representation you deserve.

Our Victims’ Advocates team will work to compile and preserve evidence in your case so that you can hold your perpetrator and any other liable parties accountable. Taking legal action against your abuser and any other responsible parties is a critical step in your healing.

Types Of Instructor Abuse

Educational instructors are essential members of a community because they help guide, teach, and shape minds, young and old. So when an instructor sadly abuses their position of power and violates you or their other students, it’s crucial they are brought to justice as quickly as possible.

Abuse by an instructor can take on many forms, and it does not always have to be physical. Also, if you are, unfortunately, a victim of instructional abuse, you may not be able to immediately pick up on the fact that abuse is happening. Please know that none of this is your fault. Instructor abuse can typically take on the following forms, and it’s important to understand them so that you can recognize the abuse if it happens:

• Physical abuse –  This is when an instructor physically abuses you through hitting, striking, forcibly detaining you, or any other behavior that physically hurts or poses a harm to you. Physical abuse often starts out mild but can escalate into more extreme violence quickly. 
• Sexual abuse – Instructor sexual abuse is when a trusted teacher or educator abuses you in a sexual manner. This can include physical sexual assault, non-physical sexual harassment, and any other sexually charged behavior that is unwarranted, inappropriate, and unwelcome. 
• Emotional abuse – Taunting, name-calling, guilting, and coercing are just some of the ways an instructor can emotionally abuse you. Although it’s not physical, emotional abuse can be just as damaging and detrimental to your well-being and mental health. 
• Neglect –  If you or your child is under the care of an instructor for an extended period of time and the instructor is being neglectful, they can be held liable for abuse. Neglect can take many forms but essentially means that an instructor is not caring for their students, providing them food when needed, allowing them restroom breaks, or any other behavior that is neglectful in nature.

You have the power to hold your abuser accountable, and you have the power to seek the justice you deserve. Take hold of that power when you contact local authorities and seek out legal representation for your pain and suffering.

Who Can Be Held Liable For Instructor Sexual Assault?

Because of the nature of instructor sexual abuse, predators can be found in nearly every aspect of a community. Common types of instructors who engage in instructor sexual abuse can include but are not limited to the following:

• School teachers and other school staff members
• Substitute teachers and teacher aids
• Daycare teachers
• Driving instructors
• Yoga instructors
• Workplace instructors
• Sports trainers
• Religious instructors 

The instructor who is engaging in the abuse can be held liable for their behavior. Additionally, the facility where the abuse took place can also be held liable. If an abuser works as a contractor for a separate entity, that entity can also be held liable. 

In order for a company or third party to be held liable for an employee or worker’s abusive behavior, that company or a third party should have known that the perpetrator was a threat or that instructor sexual assault may have been occurring.

Reporting Sexual Abuse From An Instructor

We understand this is a painful journey, but if an instructor has victimized you or your child, it is important to report the abuse as quickly as you can. If you suspect your child was victimized by a teacher, staff member, sports trainer, or any other instructor in a position of power, reporting the abuse immediately is necessary to protect not only your child but other children in the care of the instructor.

If your child has been victimized by their instructor, it is important to alert law enforcement immediately. Sex crimes against children are serious and should be reported so that perpetrators can be criminally charged to the fullest extent of the law. 

If you have sadly experienced instructor sexual abuse in the workplace, on a sports team, in a yoga class, or in any other adult-centered class, you should report the abuse as quickly as possible. Please remember you don’t have to go through this alone.

Additionally, if you have been physically or sexually assaulted as a result of the abuse, seeking medical care as quickly as possible will allow you to collect any DNA from your perpetrator that might still be on your body. This DNA can prove invaluable during both criminal proceedings and civil proceedings.

If you are afraid to report the sexual abuse, you are not alone. While there is plenty of data on sexual abuse among children and adults in America, this data is unfortunately not as accurate as it could be because many cases go unreported.

Turning to a friend or a loved one you trust can also help you find the confidence you need to report the abuse. Seeking legal consultation can be another way to understand your rights and options once you report the abuse.

What happened to you is not your fault, and while it’s scary to report the abuse, it can be beneficial in taking back control of your life.

Signs Of Sexual Abuse From Instructors

As with any criminal behavior, there are some signs you can look for if you feel that your child has experienced abuse from an educator or if you feel you may be the target of a predator. These signs may look different from case to case, but they are critical red flags to keep an eye out for regarding sexual abuse from an instructor.

• An instructor favors a child over other children for seemingly no apparent reason.
• An instructor offers more attention, praise, and acknowledgment to one child for no obvious reason.
• Abusive instructors will tend to single out children who may not be as sociable as other students and who may not have as many friends as other students. This allows a perpetrator to easily manipulate and groom their victim. 
• Inappropriate communication via text, email, or phone calls between an instructor and a child.
• Bruising on or around a victim’s genitalia, inner thighs, buttocks, or other intimate body parts. 
• Fear or unease of being alone with the instructor.
• Being subjected to long stares or being “watched” by your instructor.
• Being subjected to inappropriate, sexually driven comments about the way you look or dress. 

Instructor Sexual Assault On Children

Few crimes are as despicable as sexual abuse of a student or child, especially at the hands of a trusted individual like an instructor. According to recent data, in an astounding 93% of child sexual abuse cases, the perpetrator was known to the victim. If you feel your child may have been the victim of sexual assault, it is important to report the abuse right away. 

Instructors can often target children because they are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community. Children can more often easily be groomed because of the power dynamic that exists. Additionally, children may unfortunately not be aware that the abuse is happening until it is too late.

Once they do recognize that abuse may be happening, children can easily be shamed, blamed, or threatened by their abuser if they tell a trusted adult.

As a parent, it’s essential to keep an open line of communication with your child so that they do feel comfortable talking to you if they are worried about inappropriate interactions with an instructor. Additionally, as a parent, it’s important to know what signs to look for if you suspect your child may be victimized by their instructor. In addition to these warning signs of abuse by an educator, common signs that a child is being sexually abused include the following:

• Sudden bedwetting unrelated to potty training, difficulty sleeping alone or otherwise, and nightmares
• Bruising or bleeding around the genitalia
• Unexpected bleeding on bed sheets, underwear, or other clothing
• Sudden changes in mood, appetite, behavior, and attitude

What Damages May Be Recoverable In An Instructor Sexual Assault Lawsuit?

Being victimized at the hands of an instructor brings with it physical and emotional trauma that can take years to overcome. You don’t have to be on this painful journey alone. When you file a civil lawsuit against your abuser and any negligent facilities, you can seek restitution to help cover these expenses.

As a victim, you may be eligible for compensatory damages in the form of economic and non-economic damages. Compensatory damages are designed to help you seek financial support as you recover from your injuries, both physical and mental.

When filing a civil lawsuit against your abuser and any negligent parties, you can seek restitution for the following: 

• Loss of income, loss of earnings, and loss of earning capacity if you were left unable to work because of the abuse.
• Restitution for any medical bills, including hospital stays, treatment facilities, or other medical services that were required because of your abuse.
• Restitution for any bills associated with mental health counseling sessions, therapy sessions, and other psychological and mental health services.
• Your pain and suffering.
• Your mental distress, anguish, anxiety, and other psychological sufferings because of the abuse. 
• Any other tangible or non-tangible losses related to your sexual assault. 

In unique cases, you may also be able to seek punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages, which serve as restitution for your abuse, punitive damages are designed to punish defendants.

What To Do If You Suspect Sexual Misconduct By An Educator

If you suspect that your child is being sexually abused or experienced sexual misconduct at the hands of an educator, it is important to act quickly to protect not only your child but other children in that educator’s care.

Begin by alerting school officials so that administrators can take the appropriate action against an educator. You should also contact your local law enforcement and pursue criminal charges against the educator.

Finally, seeking legal representation from an experienced sexual assault lawyer can help you take legal action to defend your child’s rights. Teacher sexual assault can happen to any child, no matter their age, gender, or socioeconomic status. Reporting the assault and seeking legal guidance can help you hold the teacher accountable for his or her crimes. 

Support Services For Victims Of Instructor Sexual Assault

If you or your child have been the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of an instructor, there are resources and support services available to you.

The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) is the state’s largest organization for victims of sexual assault. Their national sexual assault telephone hotline, 1-800-656-HOPE, offers a free and confidential space for victims to turn to. 

Support staff can help guide you through your case and can help connect you to other free resources within your community. The hotline can also support you by helping you understand the laws in your community, pairing you with someone to talk with, and assisting you with the next steps to take. 

Other resources to tap into include the following: 

• Seeking support at your local community health center 
• Colorado Coalition against sexual assault 
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center 
• The Victim Connect Resource Center

How An Instructor Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Help You

Seeking legal assistance following a sexual assault by an instructor can help you seek the justice and restitution you deserve. Contact the sexual assault lawyers at Bachus & Schanker Law Firm and work with a team that is committed to defending and protecting a victim’s rights after you have suffered unimaginable trauma. Tap into resources that can help you build a strong case as you move forward on the path to healing.

Sources:

Children and Teens: Statistics. (2023).

Colorado Coalition against sexual assault. (2023).

Economic Damages. (2023).

National Sexual Assault Hotline. (2023).

National Sexual Violence Resource Center. (2023).

Non-economic Damages. (2023).

Sexual Abuse from an educator. (2006).

Shakeshaft, C. (2013). Knowing the Warning Signs of Sexual Misconduct.

Statistics About Sexual Violence. (2023).