Denver School Sexual Abuse Lawyer

From a young age, we instruct our children to respect and obey authority figures in their lives, including teachers and other school staff. Some individuals in these positions abuse their power to sexually abuse or assault the children they are supposed to be caring for. Those that abuse their positions of power must be held accountable for their actions. 

Colorado Lawyers Handling School Sex Abuse Claims

Educators Must Be Held Fully Responsible for Sexual Assault in Primary and Secondary Schools

Sexual abuse can have major negative impacts on any survivor and this is even more true when its targets are children. When the adults around them treat their abuser as someone to be respected, or if the child formed a strong bond of trust with that person, a child may believe what happened to them was their fault. This results in the internalization of negative emotions, which can continue to affect the child until it is addressed. 

Anyone who was sexually assaulted or abused while at school should have the chance to tell their story. Whether you attended a private or public school, whether you were a young child or almost an adult, the circumstances surrounding the abuse will not change our dedication to holding accountable everyone who played a role in what happened to you.

Schedule a free and confidential consultation by calling Colorado Sex Abuse Law at (303) 835-9227. Our lawyers are compassionate and dedicated to helping our clients find legal solutions that work for them.

Contact Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation 

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Notable Cases

  • Abuse at the University of Michigan Attorneys at our firm represent more than 200 survivors of sexual abuse against University of Michigan physician Dr. Robert Anderson. The University has reached a settlement amount of $490 million, which is the largest known sexual abuse settlement on behalf of male victims.
  • Child Sexual Abuse in the Clergy Lawyers at our firm currently represent survivors of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church.
  • Sexual Abuse by a Public School Teacher Lawyers at our firm represented a young woman who was sexually assaulted by her public school teacher. The case settled for numerous millions of dollars.
  • USA Gymnastics Larry Nasser Sexual Abuse We represented multiple survivors in the case against USA Gymnastics and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee for the sexual abuse by Larry Nassar resulting in a $380M settlement.
Who Can Sue for School Sexual Assault?

Thanks to Colorado Senate Bill 88 (SB 88), many survivors of childhood sexual abuse now have the right to file a lawsuit that previously would have been denied. If you were abused after January 1, 1960, you have a three-year window in which you can bring a claim. We expect many people to come forward in this period, so if you’re considering whether to file, we advise you to speak with a lawyer soon. We do not want your case to fall out of the statute of limitations again. 

Statue of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse 

Any child sexual abuse or assault that occurs after January 1, 2022, will have no statute of limitations. 

This matters because students who are dealing with sexually aggressive or inappropriate adults right now may not feel comfortable coming forward with their accusations right away.   

Our firm can handle reports of sexual assault dating back to the 1960s or help families who have recently learned their child has been assaulted while at school. We listen closely to everyone who comes to us for a free and confidential consultation, so we can advise them of their rights and help them decide whether to file a lawsuit. 

Learn more about how our Denver school sexual abuse lawyer can help. Contact us online or call (303) 835-9227 today!

Client Testimonials

Real Stories from Real Survivors

  • Handled Our Very Difficult Case With Brilliance

    “They handled our very difficult case with brilliance. Every chess move was outlined from the start and was proven to be spot-on. The team helped our family to align our goals and expectations for the case with the law.”

    Former Client
  • Kind and Compassionate Individuals

    “Not only are they competent attorneys who worked tirelessly on my behalf, but they are also kind and compassionate individuals who never lost sight of the human element of their very important work.”

    Former Client

School Sexual Abuse FAQs




What are the Common Forms of School Sexual Abuse?

School sexual abuse refers to any form of sexual misconduct, harassment, or assault that occurs within an educational setting involving students and staff members. This type of abuse can have severe and long-lasting effects on the victims, including emotional trauma, academic struggles, and difficulties in forming healthy relationships.

Common forms of school sexual abuse include:

  • Physical Sexual Abuse: This involves any form of physical contact of a sexual nature without the victim's consent. This can include inappropriate touching, groping, or forced sexual acts.
  • Verbal Sexual Abuse: Verbal sexual abuse involves making sexual comments, jokes, or threats towards a student. This can include sexual harassment, inappropriate language, or sexualized comments about a student's body.
  • Non-Consensual Sexual Behavior: This includes any sexual activity that occurs without the consent of one or more parties involved. This can range from unwanted sexual advances to sexual assault.
  • Sexual Exploitation: Sexual exploitation occurs when someone takes advantage of a student's vulnerability or trust for their own sexual gratification. This can include manipulation, coercion, or grooming tactics to engage the student in sexual activity.
  • Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment involves unwanted or unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or intimidating environment for the victim. This can include persistent sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or sexually explicit remarks.
  • Online Sexual Abuse: With the proliferation of digital technology, online sexual abuse has become increasingly common in schools. This can include cyberbullying of a sexual nature, sharing of explicit material without consent, or online grooming for sexual purposes.
  • Peer-to-Peer Sexual Abuse: In some cases, students may perpetrate sexual abuse against their peers. This can include instances of sexual assault, harassment, or coercion carried out by other students within the school environment.

What Are the Common Signs of School Sexual Abuse?

Identifying signs of school sexual abuse can be challenging as victims may be hesitant to report the abuse due to fear, shame, or confusion. However, there are common signs that may indicate a student is experiencing sexual abuse. Some common signs of school sexual abuse include:

  • Physical Signs:
    • Unexplained injuries such as bruises, scratches, or cuts in genital or anal areas.
    • Pain, itching, or discomfort in genital or anal areas.
    • Difficulty walking or sitting.
    • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially in younger children.
  • Emotional and Behavioral Signs:
    • Sudden changes in behavior, mood swings, or emotional outbursts.
    • Withdrawal from social activities, friends, or family.
    • Anxiety, depression, or signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
    • Regression to earlier behaviors such as bed-wetting or thumb-sucking.
    • Difficulty concentrating or sudden decline in academic performance.
    • Self-harm or suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
  • Sexualized Behavior:
    • Engaging in sexual activities or behaviors that are inappropriate for their age.
    • Demonstrating excessive curiosity or knowledge about sexual topics.
    • Mimicking sexual acts or language beyond what is developmentally appropriate.
  • Avoidance of Specific Places or Individuals:
    • Avoiding certain areas of the school, such as restrooms or locker rooms.
    • Avoiding specific individuals, such as teachers, coaches, or peers, without a clear explanation.
  • Changes in Relationships:
    • Difficulty trusting others or forming close relationships.
    • Unexplained fear or discomfort around certain individuals.
    • Loss of interest in activities or relationships they once enjoyed.
  • Somatic Complaints:
    • Complaints of stomachaches, headaches, or other physical symptoms without a clear medical cause.
    • Frequent visits to the school nurse or health clinic.
  • Changes in Sleep or Eating Patterns:
    • Difficulty sleeping, nightmares, or night terrors.
    • Changes in appetite, eating habits, or weight loss/gain.
  • Regression in Development:
    • Developmental delays or setbacks in areas such as speech, language, or motor skills.

Who Can I Sue If I Was Sexually Abused at School?

Another huge part of SB 88 is the language that explicitly allows survivors to hold institutions accountable for their abuse. Our state legislature has waived sovereign immunity—a legal standard that makes it very difficult to sue governments or public entities—for all claims of childhood sexual assault. While this law doctrine protected some employees of the state from facing consequences for assaulting those under their care, survivors now have a new chance to hold them accountable.

Filing a Lawsuit Against Your Abuser

Whether the person who abused you faced criminal consequences for their actions or continues to work around children today, you can bring a claim against them. Civil lawsuits, the type we handle, are different than criminal suits, meaning double jeopardy standards would not apply even if your abuser was found not guilty in a jury trial. The waiving of sovereign immunity in SB 88 also makes it possible to sue public employees (like schoolteachers or aides) even if you were previously told you could not do so. 

This bill has removed many of the barriers abusers hid behind. Whether you tried to file a claim before and were told it was not possible or this is the first time you have considered filing a lawsuit, come talk to our team to learn about your options.

Filing a Lawsuit Against a School or Youth Program Organizer

While no one else is responsible for an abuser’s behavior, organizations and institutions as a whole are responsible for creating policies and practices that identify and remove wrongdoers from their midst. There is no question our primary and secondary schools must hold themselves to the highest standards in this regard. The same goes for any after-school or educational programs that, for many youths, are an extension of the school day or school year. 

To name a school in your lawsuit, you have to show the institution knew or should have known there was a risk of sexual misconduct in its environment. Schools that outright ignored reports of sexual abuse can obviously be grouped in the category of those that knew. However, even if neither you nor any other survivors came forward, we can help you build an argument to show the school should have known what was happening if its administrators were providing adequate supervision.

What If I Was Assaulted by a Fellow Student?

Schools are responsible for the actions of their employees, but they may also be responsible for misconduct committed by other students. Especially if the assault occurred on school grounds and/or you faced a pattern of abuse from a classmate, you may be able to argue the school failed you by allowing another student to harm you. Whether you can make a claim will rely on the circumstances of your assault, but it’s worth talking to a lawyer if you think a school could be liable.

Call us today at (303) 835-9227 for your free and confidential consultation. Our attorneys serve survivors throughout Colorado and the rest of the United States.

Support & Advocacy for Survivors

We understand one of the main barriers that prevents people from sharing their stories of sexual assault is the cognitive and emotional hardship involved in revisiting these experiences. Our team knows how to support survivors who make the courageous and difficult decision to file a claim. Collectively, our attorneys have represented over 1,000 survivors in claims against individuals and larger organizations or institutions. While some of these claims are still pending, others have resulted in major wins that penalized wrongdoers and gave survivors the resources to start down a new path. Whether you know you are ready to file a claim or you just want to learn whether it’s an option to consider, we invite you to reach out to our team. In a confidential consultation, our team will listen to your story and thoroughly explain your legal rights.