Chicago School Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Dedicated Legal Advocacy for Survivors of School Sexual Abuse in Chicago

Chicago school sexual abuse lawyer representation is essential for survivors seeking justice and accountability.

In 2023 alone, the Inspector General reported 446 sexual misconduct allegations within Chicago public schools—following 470 the previous year. These alarming numbers underscore the need for experienced legal support, and that’s exactly what Rosenfeld Injury Law provides.

With decades of experience handling personal injury cases, including school-related sexual abuse claims, our firm is committed to protecting survivors’ rights. We’ve recovered over $450 million in verdicts and settlements, including record-setting results. We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we win your case.

Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Sexual Abuse Attorneys

We actively pursue fair compensation for survivors of sexual abuse and have achieved significant settlements on their behalf.

• $15 million settlement for a group of boys who were groomed and harmed by a coach at a private school.
• $6 million in a sexual abuse case involving repeated abuse that occurred at an after-school activity center.
• $1 million recovery for an individual who was sexually abused in an after-school extracurricular activity program.

These sexual abuse settlements show our commitment to bringing accountability and financial justice to those who have suffered.

Understanding Sexual Abuse in Chicago Schools

The reality of sexual misconduct in Illinois and in Chicago schools presents a sobering picture:

• In public schools in Chicago, there were 470 sexual abuse complaints lodged against school employees by students during the year 2022.
• The Inspector General reported a total of 446 sexual misconduct allegations in Chicago in 2023.
• Between October 2018 and February 2019, there were 9 complaints of adult sexual abuse or misconduct by students in Chicago charter schools as opposed to the 207 related complaints from district-run schools.
• Approximately 25% of the city’s public school students attend charters, making the reported claims from the charter schools disproportionately lower.
• The above is likely because of a lack of reporting, not less sexual assault and abuse taking place.

Sexual misconduct is any sexual act or behavior that a person does not consent to. It comes in many forms, often including:

• Inappropriate relationships
• Inappropriate touching
• Sexual harassment
• Unwanted advances
• Grooming
• Peer-on-peer sex abuse
• Digital sexual misconduct
• Forced sexual penetration – rape

If you’ve experienced any form of sexual violence in an educational setting, contact law enforcement and our law firm to secure justice.

Types Of School Sexual Abuse Cases We Take in Chicago

Our Chicago sexual abuse lawyers are committed to advocating for sexual abuse victims across a range of scenarios. Below is a breakdown of the types of cases we take and the schools and educational institutions we serve in and around Chicago.

Alternative Schools in Chicago

Peace and Education Coalition Alternative High School, Progressive Leadership Academy, and Association House High School are among the alternative institutions where we accept civil suits of sexual abuse.

Boarding School Sexual Abuse

We represent survivors in cases involving boarding schools both within and near Chicago, such as Lake Forest Academy, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Chicago Academy for the Arts, where victims may have been exploited while living on site.

Charter Schools in Chicago

Charter schools, including Chicago International Charter Schools (CICS), the Noble Schools Network (Pritzker College Prep and Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy), and Perspectives Charter Schools, strive to offer alternative educational choices. However, sex abuse can still occur in these settings, and we advocate for survivors seeking justice.

Sexual Abuse at Colleges and Universities

We provide legal representation to survivors of abuse at colleges and universities in Chicago, including the University of Chicago, DePaul University, Loyola University Chicago, Northwestern University in Evanston, and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).

Magnet and Military Schools

Magnet schools like Whitney M. Young, Northside Prep, and Walter Payton College Prep attract high-performing students, while military schools such as the Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville or Rickover Naval Academy aim to instill discipline and leadership. Even in specialized environments like these, abuse can occur.

Primary Schools in Chicago

Our school sexual abuse lawyers take on civil lawsuits connected to Francis W. Parker School, the Lab Schools (University of Chicago Laboratory Schools), The Latin School of Chicago, and various Chicago Public Schools (CPS) primary campuses.

Public School Sexual Abuse

We handle child sexual abuse lawsuits involving misconduct in public schools and elementary schools across the CPS system, the third-largest public school district in the United States.

Private School Abuse

Private schools are not free of these injustices. We investigate and advocate for victims of sexual abuse at private schools like Francis W. Parker School, Sacred Heart Schools Chicago, and The Latin School of Chicago.

Religious Schools and Institutions

We handle cases involving schools like those within the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools system, Saint Ignatius College Prep, and DePaul College Prep, as well as other faith-based schools like the Islamic Foundation School in Villa Park.

Secondary Schools in Chicago

We take cases from Lane Tech College Prep High School, Lincoln Park High School (offering an IB Program), Jones College Prep, and Saint Patrick High School, among others.

By covering all these different educational systems, our Chicago sexual abuse lawyers ensure survivors have an avenue for legal action and support.

Liability for Sexual Abuse in Chicago Schools

Liability in school sexual abuse claims can extend to multiple parties based on the specific circumstances of each case. These responsible parties may include:

• The abuser
• School staff members (could include teachers, school nurses, etc)
• School administrators and officials
• The school district
• Transportation providers
• Government agencies

It’s important to know that it is never the victim’s fault. To learn more about potential liability, contact our legal team. You deserve justice and can hold these institutions accountable.

Title IX and Reporting Obligations

Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, federally funded schools must address and prevent sexual harassment and abuse. CPS staff members, as mandatory reporters under Illinois law, have a legal obligation to report any suspected child sex abuse to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

State law, including the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA), provides detailed reporting requirements. For more information, refer to the CPS Policy Manual and the Illinois DCFS website on reporting requirements.

Financial Compensation Available to Victims of Sexual Abuse

If you, a fellow student, or a family member is a survivor of school sexual abuse, the following damages may be recovered through a legal claim:

• Costs of medical attention
• Therapy and counseling costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages

No amount of financial compensation can make up for the pain you’ve experienced at the hands of educational institutions, but you shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burdens alone.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

There are certain signs that may suggest that someone is experiencing physical injuries and emotional trauma as a result of sexual abuse, including:

• Changes in behavior, such as withdrawal, aggression, or fear of certain places or people
• Unexplained injuries or bruises in sensitive areas
• Sudden shifts in mood or loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
• Complaints of bodily pain or discomfort without a clear cause
• Extreme reactions to touch or personal space
• Increased substance use

Recognizing these changes and seeking professional help for anyone who is being sexually abused is essential.

What to Do If You Have Experienced or Suspect School Sexual Misconduct

If you’ve experienced or suspect school sexual abuse in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, here are some steps you can take:

File a Report

Contact the school administration or the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). If it involves Chicago Public Schools, reach out to the Office of Student Protections and Title IX. Keep all medical records and medical bills.

Notify Authorities

Call the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services if a young child is involved. You may also contact the Chicago Police Department Special Investigations Unit or the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Bureau for possible criminal charges and a criminal trial.

Seek Emotional Support

The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (ChicagoCAC) and Resilience (formerly Rape Victim Advocates) provide counseling, while the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) and Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) offer support and legal advocacy.

You can also turn to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s Chicago Chapter for peer support and therapy.

Explore Legal Options

Check with the Cook County Circuit Court Child Protection Division for filing a case related to child abuse, or contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Crime Victim Services for legal resources. The Cook County Public Guardian’s Office helps protect your and other children’s legal rights in abuse cases.

The best thing you can do is reach out to Rosenfeld Injury Law so we can walk you through these important steps. This will allow you to move forward in seeking justice and overall student safety.

Consult a Chicago School Sexual Abuse Attorney Near You!

The journey to finding justice after experiencing school sexual abuse is incredibly personal and sensitive. In such trying times, compassionate understanding is essential, and our team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is dedicated to providing that.

Our public and private school sexual abuse attorneys, based in Chicago, approach each case with the utmost care, aiming to offer the legal support necessary to navigate these complex issues. Let us help you promote awareness of this issue and seek compensation and justice.

Call (888) 424-5757 or fill in our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation with a sexual abuse lawyer.

Specific Cases We Handle

• Statute of Limitations on Sex Abuse Lawsuits

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.