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Chicago YMCA Sexual Abuse Attorney
The Young Men’s Christian Association has over 2,600 branches and serves 11 million people across the United States [1]. Unfortunately, with 4 million children served by YMCAs every year, sexual predators can easily gain access to young people should a YMCA facility fail to uphold its commitment to protect children [2].
If you or a family member are a victim of sexual abuse perpetrated at a YMCA facility or during youth mentoring worship events, you deserve justice. An experienced sexual abuse attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will help even the legal playing field and ensure parents and their children can take legal action with confidence.
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 for Your Case
As YMCA sexual assault is of such a sensitive nature, it’s crucial to work with sexual abuse lawyers you and your child trust. We are leading advocates for those sexually abused in organizations such as the YMCA, winning dozens of cases and recovering millions in damages for our clients.
- $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
Experience in Institutional Abuse Litigation
We have won numerous cases against the YMCA and other organizations entrusted with caring for children, which has given us a deep knowledge of the YMCA’s policies, procedures, and legal obligations. For example, we are aware of who is a mandated reporter and, therefore, who can be cited for negligence if they fail to intervene.
In addition, we have access to a wealth of resources that will bolster your case, including investigators, therapists, expert witnesses, and professionals in the field of sexual assault advocacy. We’re renowned for our meticulous research into all aspects of a sexual abuse case, never stopping until we have uncovered the truth.
Compassionate and Client-Focused Representation
Our goal is to hold sexual predators accountable and empower survivors to move forward with confidence. As such, we work hard to ensure our clients have the necessary counseling and resources to regain control of their lives.
Having worked on many cases related to institutional abuse, we understand the unique needs of these survivors and will be able to facilitate your healing by directing you to support systems. We protect your privacy and shield you from third parties, handling communication on your behalf so that you can focus on healing.
Our lawyers utilize a trauma-informed approach that respects our clients’ needs, and we always ensure that your story is the top priority throughout the legal process.
Prevalence of Abuse in Young Men’s Christian Association Settings
The Young Men’s Christian Assocation, also known as the YMCA or just the Y, is a nonprofit organization that seeks to put Christian principles into practice [3]. It accomplishes this by providing services for adult and child clients, including educational programs, childcare, summer camps, gyms, and after-school programs.
Unfortunately, there have been many instances of YMCA staff members sexually abusing children and teenagers.
One landmark case occurred in Indiana in 2019 when 20-year-old YMCA staff member Michael Begin was sentenced to 120 years after he pled guilty to 20 instances of sexual abuse taking place over just 17 months [4]. Nine different civil suits were filed as a result of the child sexual abuse, which occurred at the Clark County YMCA. They were settled out of court [5].
In March 2024, Jericho Lee Marvin Johnson was accused of inappropriately touching several children, including some at YMCA after-school programs across the Greenfield, Indiana, area [6].
A daycare owner who worked with him was later arrested for failing to investigate or report a previous sexual abuse claim, demonstrating that others were aware of the issue but chose not to intervene [7].
More recent sex abuse allegations demonstrate that the organization has not done enough to protect children under their care.
In 2024, Nehemiah Billie J’Len Garcia was charged with two counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of committing a dangerous crime against a minor for inappropriately touching a child in a Delaware YMCA bathhouse [8]. YMCA support staff did not stop the sexual assault, and the abuser was allowed to flee the scene, leading to a manhunt.
Legal Rights of YMCA Abuse Survivors
Survivors of sexual abuse at a YMCA have rights under both state and federal law. The Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016 gives sexual abuse survivors the right to a free forensic examination that must be kept for at least 20 years.
They are also entitled to seek legal assistance from a YMCA sexual abuse lawyer like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. Our law firm will guide you through the legal process of getting compensation for childhood sexual abuse, including negotiating with the organization or individual responsible for the sexual abuse.
Types of Claims
A sexual abuse lawsuit against the YMCA may include claims against several parties for different reasons. Our attorneys are fully prepared to take action against anyone who may be responsible, which can include the following.
- Sexual Assault and Battery – This is a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator for imposing bodily harm on sexual abuse victims.
- Negligence – The local YMCA chapter, or the national organization as a whole, can be accountable for sexual abuse. For example, if they failed to perform adequate background checks or dismissed a child’s verifiable claims, then this is negligence.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty – This is when staff members or other authority figures abuse their position of trust in the community by failing to protect others. A YMCA sexual abuse lawyer from our firm will pursue these claims against anyone who either perpetrated sexual abuse or did not use their authority to stop potential abuse from occurring.
Statutes of Limitations
The deadline for taking legal action for YMCA sexual abuse will vary by jurisdiction. Some states have delayed deadlines for minors who were sexually abused, allowing them to seek justice after the age of majority.
Some jurisdictions also have a delayed discovery rule for children who do not identify the sexual abuse until later due to repressed memories. It’s crucial to contact a skilled YMCA sexual abuse lawyer from our firm as soon as possible, as we’re familiar with the relevant statutes in your area and can ensure that we meet these deadlines.
Potential Damages Sexually Abused Victims Can Recover
The goal of a civil sexual abuse lawsuit is to seek justice through financial compensation. This can include compensatory damages as well as punitive damages, which are meant to punish the perpetrator for harming young people.
Compensatory damages can cover expenses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Counseling
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive damages are sometimes provided through the court system. They are meant to deter further sexual abuse and punish those who harm children. These are a rarer form of compensation and may not apply to your case.
Liable Parties in YMCA Sexual Abuse Cases
When someone is sexually abused at a YMCA facility or program, a number of parties could be held liable. This includes the following groups:
- Perpetrator – The abuser is primarily responsible for the sexual abuse, and we will pursue compensation from them.
- YMCA Staff Members – Anyone aware of the abuse’s details can be held responsible if they did not report their suspicions. If the abuser worked for the YMCA, then their superiors and colleagues should be watching closely in case there are any concerns.
- Local YMCAs – The YMCA is responsible for performing background checks and providing adequate supervision to its employees. Failure to do so is considered negligence.
- National YMCA – The overarching YMCA can be held accountable if it didn’t offer adequate oversight to its facilities or did not intervene when there seemed to be a concern.
- Schools or Other Organizations – The YMCA partners with local schools, daycare facilities, and camps to provide services, but this does not absolve those organizations of responsibility toward those on their premises. They should perform their own checks on those entering their facilities.
- Third-Party Vendors – Like many other places, the YMCA relies on third-party vendors for some of its services, including background checks and security. These organizations may be responsible if their own failures contributed to the sexual abuse, such as providing inadequate background checks or not locking doors.
Consult a YMCA Sexual Abuse Attorney Today!
Survivors of sexual abuse deserve justice, and Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to help. We have helped our clients recover millions in damages, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we are able to win your case.
To schedule your free consultation, call us 24/7 at (888) 424-5757 or contact us online.
Specific Cases We Handle
Resources: [1] United States Census Bureau, [2] The YMCA, [3] The YMCA, [4] Courier Journal, [5] WAVE3, [6] Fox-59, [7] WTHR, [8] CBS News
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.