Chicago College Campus Sexual Assault Attorney

Approximately 13% of college students have suffered from campus sexual assault, representing a pervasive culture of sexual violence at educational institutions [1]. Female students are more likely to be sexually abused, but male students and members of the LGBTQ community are also at serious risk of unwelcome sexual advances or sexual battery.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to seeking justice for sexual assault against anyone on a college or university campus, ensuring your civil rights are protected, and colleges are held accountable for creating an unsafe environment for students.

WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING SEXUAL ABUSE CASES INVOLVING INSTITUTIONS.

IF YOU HAVE A MATTER INVOLVING A RELATIVE OR ACQUAINTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

When you call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to open a civil claim, you’ll work with an experienced attorney highly familiar with the intricacies of sexual assault on college campuses.

We will conduct a thorough and formal investigation of all elements related to the incident on your behalf, giving you the best possible chance of receiving financial compensation. Our team will negotiate with all parties involved, such as school administrators, to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

• $21 Million – Hotel sexual assault case
• $15 Million – Coach grooming and abuse
• $6.5 Million – Cruise ship rape settlement
• $6.3 Million – Negligent security assault
• $6 Million – Child sexual abuse lawsuit
• $5 Million – Therapist sexual abuse settlement

Our team understands the profound and long-lasting impact of rape or sexual assault during your college career. We will work to minimize the stress of a civil lawsuit so you can stay in class and work toward your dreams.

Understanding Campus Sexual Assault

Campus-related sexual assault is unwanted sexual activity without consent on college or university campuses [2]. It encompasses a wide variety of activities, including unwanted touching, demanding sexual favors, or using physical force to hold a person down while assaulting them.

Sexual assault constitutes 43% of all on-campus crimes; there are approximately eight forcible sex offenses per 100,000 students [3].

Legal Rights of Campus Sexual Assault Victims

Colleges and universities that receive federal financial assistance must comply with various federal statutes, including the Campus Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights, signed into law in 1992 [4]. This law requires that institutions of higher learning extend the following rights to their students who have experienced sexual assault:

• The right to notify local law enforcement that a crime has occurred.
• The accuser and accused have the same right to have others present at any disciplinary hearing.
• The accused and the accuser have the right to be informed of the outcome of disciplinary hearings.
• Survivors must be informed of their options for counseling.
• Survivors must be informed of their right to change housing or other accommodations.

The Jeanne Clery Act requires that educational institutions report crimes on campus, though they do not have to report off-campus assaults unless the facility is associated with the university [5].

Students have the right to file criminal charges against an attacker, even if the institution pushes them to handle the matter through their own arbitration process. They are also entitled to file civil lawsuits with the assistance of campus sexual assault attorneys like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers [6].

The Role of Title IX in Campus Sexual Assault Cases

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is meant to prevent sex-based discrimination on any college or university campus that receives federal funding [7]. Because sexual harassment and violence disproportionately affect women, they are considered forms of sexual discrimination under Title IX.

Title IX requires that campuses have a Title IX coordinator, who will coordinate with other staff to conduct an internal investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the sexual assault and identify how to protect the victim [8]. This can include things like changing class schedules, securing new student housing, or providing access to counseling.

If you choose to pursue a complaint against the attacker, the school must conduct a formal hearing to assess what disciplinary measures, if any, can be taken. Title IX proceedings only come into play when both parties are associated with the college, and they are not criminal cases.

Types of Cases Handled by Our College Campus Sexual Assault Lawyers

Our law firm can assist with a variety of sexual abuse cases, which include:

• Peer Assault – In many cases, the attacker is the same age as the victim and may know them socially. If the school fails to protect you after being notified of the incident, we’ll help you pursue justice.
• Assault Against Graduate and Professional Students – Graduate students may be subject to sexual coercion and pressured into unwanted relationships to advance their careers or secure funding for their projects.
• Sexual Abuse at Sorority and Fraternity Houses – Sexual harassment may be used as initiation rituals by Greek societies, while sexual assault may occur at frat parties due to intoxication.
• Unwanted Sexual Contact by Older Students – RAs and TAs may abuse their positions of authority, especially against vulnerable freshmen. An experienced attorney from our firm will assist you in getting justice for the school’s failure to intervene.

Common Signs of College Campus Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse can cause irreparable damage to a person’s self-esteem, sense of safety, and educational prospects. Some common signs of sexual assault include:

• Signs of depression, such as persistent sadness and social isolation
• Self-harming behaviors
• Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
• Low self-esteem
• Suicidal thoughts or actions
• Avoiding certain places or people
• A sudden increase in anxiety
• Falling grades or withdrawing from classes
• Drug or alcohol abuse [9]

What to Do After Experiencing College Campus Sexual Assault

All instances of sexual abuse, whether on-campus or otherwise, require prompt action, both to protect the victim and their legal rights. If you’ve suffered sexual violence, take these steps as soon as possible.

• Seek Medical Attention – Inform the staff that you have been sexually assaulted. They can request a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner to examine you and collect evidence. The nurse can also provide necessary medications, like prophylactics and Plan B.
• Call the Police – Provide as many details as possible to the responding police officer, such as where and when it happened, who was there, and exactly what unwanted contact occurred.
• Inform the School – Your college or university must have a Title IX Coordinator who is charged with investigating sexual misconduct and identifying ways to protect students from further harm.
• Gather Evidence – Keep communications from before, during, and after the incident. Write down the details as best as you can, such as whether you had anything to drink and who else was present. Get contact information for anyone who could corroborate your story.
• Contact a Campus Assault Attorney – Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you protect your rights and pursue justice for the harm you’ve endured.

Damages You Can Recover in a Civil Lawsuit

Damages in a civil case are meant to help compensate you for the physical and emotional hardship caused by a sexual assault. This can include both economic damages for financial losses as well as non-economic damages for emotional factors.

Economic losses can include:

• Medical bills
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage

Non-economic losses may include:

• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Reputational damage
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Inconvenience

How Our College Campus Sexual Assault Attorneys Can Help

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will guide you through all aspects of filing a civil lawsuit. Services we can assist with include the following:

• Case Evaluation—We will identify what kinds of damages you may be eligible for under applicable laws.
• Investigation—An experienced sexual abuse attorney from our firm will review all relevant details about the case, including medical reports, surveillance footage, and any eyewitness testimony. We’ll also talk to experts who can provide their professional opinions about the incident.
• Negotiation—Our team will negotiate with the educational institution, demanding they pay their fair share for the damages caused by their failure to create a safe environment for students.
• Court Representation—If necessary, we will file a lawsuit and stand beside you in court, presenting evidence to a judge and jury.

The Prevalence of College Campus Sexual Misconduct

• 9.7% of female grad students and 2.5% of male grad students experience sexual abuse [10].
• Male college-aged students are 78% more likely than non-students to be the victim of abuse [11].
• 23.1% of transgender, genderqueer, and non-gender-conforming students have been sexually abused [12].
• 50% of campus assaults happen during the “Red Zone,” the period from the beginning of the school year through to Thanksgiving Break [13].
• Every year, 696,000 students are assaulted by another student who has been drinking [14].
• Fraternity men are three times more likely to commit violence than non-affiliated male students [15].

Seek Justice with Our College Campus Sexual Assault Lawyers!

Students deserve an environment safe from the fear of sexual abuse. If you’ve been the victim of sexual misconduct during your college education, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will assist you in pursuing justice in a civil court case, helping you receive the financial compensation you need to heal. We’ve recovered millions for our clients on a contingency fee basis, ensuring everyone can access high-quality legal assistance.

To schedule your free, confidential consultation, contact us online or call us 24/7 at (888) 424-5757.

Specific Cases We Handle

• Doctor Sexual Assault
• Dr. Anderson: University of Michigan
• Dr. Barry Brock
• Dr. Roberto Ortega: Northshore Health Systems

References: [1] Villanova University, [2] American Psychological Association, [3] American Psychological Association, [4] Alleghany College, [5] End Rape on Campus, [6] American Association of University Women, [7] American Association of University Women, [8] University Business, [9] Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, [10] Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, [11] Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, [12] Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, [13] National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments, [14] College Drinking Prevention, [15] Our Wave,

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.