Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is a national organization of over 5,000 local chapters offering after-school programs to 3.6 million children from ages 6-18 [1].
Unfortunately, predators may hide in plain sight, perpetrating child sex abuse from their position of trust and authority. Whether it is on overnight trips or while transporting young people between after-school activities, abusers may find any opportunity to exploit and harm those under their care.
If you or your child has been sexually abused by a mentor in a Boys & Girls Club facility, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can assist in opening a civil lawsuit for financial compensation.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have handled hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits in Boys & Girls Club of America and other youth organizations, helping families seek justice against those that harm children.
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- Personalized and Compassionate Representation – We understand that child sexual abuse can lead to lifelong issues for victims and their loved ones. Our primary goal is to protect children, and we provide compassionate, trauma-informed guidance through the legal process.Â
- Comprehensive Legal Support – We’ll assist with every aspect of your sexual assault lawsuit, from interviewing witnesses at Boys & Girls Clubs to negotiating with the organization.
- Client-Centered Approach—We understand that civil lawsuits can be disorienting and confusing. Our team will seek to answer all of your questions in a timely manner, ensuring you’re kept up to date with all aspects of your case.
- No Fees Unless We Win – Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we are able to win your suit against Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
About Boys & Girls Club Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is defined as any act that includes sexual activity with a minor, even if it is non-physical [2]. This can include touching, like sexual assault, or it can involve inappropriate conversations with young people about sexual topics.
Any time that adults have access to children, there is a possibility of abuse, even with stringent safety measures. Boys & Girls Clubs of America states they perform comprehensive background checks, work with third-party sexual abuse experts, and require mentors to undergo mandatory safety training [3].
However, this still has not been enough to prevent sexual acts from occurring with children.
In one notable example from New Hampshire, a 14-year-old child was sexually abused by a 27-year-old mentor at her local Boys & Girls Clubs chapter [4]. The woman, now an adult, stated that the abuse often happened with others present and that the organization ignored numerous red flags.
When it comes to Boys & Girls Club abuse, boys are also vulnerable. In New York State, a man was accused of sexually abusing 16 boys over a period of 40 years from his position of trust as a Boys & Girls Club’s mentor [5].
A recent expose by Hearst Connecticut compiled over 200 cases of sexual abuse at Boys & Girls Clubs of America locations across the United States, spanning 70 years of the organization’s history [6].
Sexual abuse at Boys & Girls Clubs is especially difficult, as it represents a grievous violation of trust from an authority figure meant to protect and support children. These cases can leave young people with lifelong trust issues and mental health problems.
Child Victims’ Legal Rights
When those affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs sexually abuse minors, the victims and their families have the right to report the abuse and seek compensation.
Additionally, under the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016, local law enforcement must keep sexual assault examination kits for at least 20 years, and individuals cannot be charged for forensic examinations related to sexual abuse.
Our team will assist you in seeking justice in civil court for Boys & Girls Clubs’ negligence, ensuring you have the best chance at recovering compensation.
Liability for Boys & Girls Club Sexual Abuse Cases
Liability for sexual abuse and Boys & Girls Clubs may be shared among multiple parties, including the following:
- Perpetrator – Whether the abuser is a volunteer or staff member of Boys & Girls Clubs, they are held liable for their inappropriate actions towards a child under their care.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America – The organization itself may be liable if it can be shown it did not uphold its duty of care in vetting or maintaining an abusive volunteer or staff member. This can be established by assessing background checks, conducting interviews, and seeking communications from inside the organization to identify whether they were aware of the abuse.Â
Signs and Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Abuse can wreak havoc on a child’s emotions and overall development, including socially, academically, and even physically. Signs and impacts of childhood sexual abuse include:
- Inappropriate knowledge of sexual topics
- Keeping secrets
- Becoming quiet, shy, or withdrawn
- Not wanting to be left alone with certain people
- Regressive behaviors like thumbsucking or bedwetting
- Changes in eating habits
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Low self-esteem or confidence
- Self-harming behavior
- Nightmares
- Unexplained physical symptoms like headaches and stomach aches [8]
What to Do If You or Your Child Has Been Sexually Abused at Boys & Girls Club
Child sexual abuse must be treated seriously and immediately to reduce the long-term effects of such a damaging event. Follow these steps as soon as possible:
- Seek Medical Attention—To preserve evidence, Go to the hospital and request a forensic exam from a trained nurse examiner.
- Report to the Authorities—Contact the local police department to report the abuse. Generally, they will have specially trained detectives who can interview children in a developmentally appropriate manner.Â
- Contact the Boys & Girls Clubs Chapter – Reporting the event can help ensure the organization takes the proper steps to protect other participants. Provide details about who was involved, when it happened, and whether any witnesses were present.Â
- Collect Evidence – Gather any evidence of sexual acts, including text messages or other written evidence. Get contact information for anyone who may have witnessed or heard about the event, as we can then interview them for further information.Â
- Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer – At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’ll review the information available and contact any relevant parties on your behalf so you can focus on caring for your loved ones.Â
How a Sexual Abuse Attorney Can Help
Not every law firm will be familiar with the intricacies of these cases, making it crucial that you seek an experienced legal team with a track record of success. A child sexual abuse lawyer from our firm will guide you through the entire process of seeking justice against BGCA, including the following:
- Evaluating the case for potential damages
- Interviewing potential witnesses
- Gathering evidence
- Consulting with experts in sex abuse cases
- Filing paperwork
- Negotiating with BGCA and its representatives
- Representing your family at trial if necessary.
Damages You Can Recover in a Boys & Girls Club Sexual Abuse Claim
Compensation in a civil lawsuit for sex abuse is meant to assist you and your loved ones in healing and rebuilding your lives. These damages may include:
- Medical bills
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Parents’ time off work
- Therapy and counseling
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In some cases, you may also receive punitive damages from the court, which are meant to punish the perpetrator for especially egregious negligence.
The Time You Have to Take Legal Action
Statutes of limitations regarding childhood sexual battery vary greatly from jurisdiction, as some states recognize that a child may not immediately speak up about their assault until years later. However, it’s crucial to act quickly to ensure we meet any deadlines in your specific jurisdiction.
Contact a Boys & Girls Club Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today!
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers works hard to protect innocent youths and their loved ones from the damaging effects of abuse in after-school organizations like BGCA. We have recovered millions in damages for our clients, working on a contingency fee basis so everyone can access top-notch legal expertise.
To schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options, contact us online or call us 24/7 at (888) 424-5757.
References: [1] Boys & Girls Clubs of America, [2] Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, [3] Boys & Girls Clubs of America, [4] WMUR, [5] Yonkers Times, [6] CT Insider, [7]Â Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network,Â