School Sexual Abuse

School Sexual Abuse

No student should ever be exploited or harmed at school. Parents and families trust that when a child walks onto campus, they will be safe. When that trust is broken, the consequences can be devastating.

School sexual abuse occurs when a student is sexually assaulted or exploited by a teacher, coach, staff member, volunteer, or another person placed in a position of authority. Schools have a legal duty to protect students and to take reasonable steps to prevent abuse. When that duty is ignored, the harm extends far beyond the immediate incident.

These cases often involve failures in supervision, background checks, training, or responding to prior complaints. In many situations, warning signs were missed or deliberately overlooked. Schools and their insurers may try to minimize what happened, question credibility, or quietly resolve claims to avoid public scrutiny. But institutions that fail to protect children must be held accountable.

The impact of sexual abuse can include emotional trauma, depression, anxiety, academic disruption, and long-term psychological harm. California law provides important protections for survivors, including extended time limits in many cases to bring claims forward. Attorney Ryan’s team helps survivors and their families pursue justice, hold institutions accountable, and secure the financial support needed for therapy, recovery, and long-term healing.