School abuse
15,000 school abuse reporting sexual violence at K–12 schools in 1 year.
Attorneys Steve Boyd, Leah Costanzo, and Bob Gallagher have fought for hundreds of survivors of school sexual abuse. The widespread prevalence of sexual abuse in all levels of public and private schools by teachers, coaches, counselors, and other employees has affected thousands of current and former students. The serious consequences of child sexual abuse have a lifelong impact on survivors—from an increased risk for mental health disorders and substance abuse to serious physical health issues, academic struggles, and crime. Partners Steve Boyd and Leah Costanzo have extensive experience fighting for survivors of sexual abuse and are ready to fight for you.
Our Process
If you or a family member has been the victim of sexual abuse by a professor, teacher, counselor, coach, or other school or university employee, the dedicated, experienced, and trusted attorneys at Steve Boyd, PC, are ready to hold the abuser—and in many cases the institution—responsible for their crime.
Our legal team will:
- Provide a free case review
- Identify & preserve crucial evidence
- Protect the privacy of the victim
- Locate & interview key witnesses
- Hold the perpetrator & institution accountable
- Travel to you
$3.125 Million
secured for crash victim
$2 Million
recovered for a family in high-speed collision
File your case under a pseudonym
Confidentiality is the most important part of the attorney-client relationship. This is especially true for survivors of sexual abuse. Our entire trauma-informed team treats every client’s details with the strictest confidence. Though we can never truly understand the pain that survivors have suffered throughout their lives, we will help you learn your rights, and we won’t take any action on your behalf unless or until you’re ready. We are committed to protecting your identity and can even file your case as John Doe or Jane Doe.
Prevalence of School Sexual Abuse in the U.S.
- 1 out of 10 K – 12 students are victims of sexual misconduct by an educator
- 55% increase in reports of sexual violence in schools from 2015 to 2018
- 99% increase in reported incidents of rape or attempted rape in 2017 – 2018 for a total of 786
- 39 former students have accused one retired 5th grade teacher in Kenmore, New York, of abusing them in the 70s
Child Sexual Abuse Survivors Often Know Their Abuser
CPS substantiated claims
- 7% are strangers
- 88% male perpetrator
- 9% female perpetrator
- 3% unknown perpetrator
- 59% acquaintances
- 32% family members
FAQs on School Sexual Abuse
How quickly should I speak to a lawyer if a teacher or other school employee has abused me?
If you have been a victim of abuse by a school employee such as a teacher, professor, coach, counselor, or any other staff member, it is crucial that you seek medical and mental health care support as soon as possible. If the abuse is ongoing or has occurred recently, it must be stopped immediately. If you need help reporting the abuse to the appropriate authorities to ensure your safety, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to assist you in navigating this process.
Once you have addressed your immediate needs, please feel free to contact us for a confidential consultation at no charge. We have extensive experience in advocating for survivors of sexual abuse and will handle your case with the utmost sensitivity, privacy, and expertise.
How much is my case worth if a teacher or other school employee has abused me?
If you have experienced abuse at school, you may have faced obstacles put in place by those in power to prevent you from speaking out. These obstacles can range from threats to secret settlements and hidden documents. Pursuing compensation can be a difficult process, and it is best to seek the guidance of a skilled lawyer. For a free and confidential evaluation of your case, contact Steve Boyd, PC.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for a school sexual abuse case?
You don’t pay any legal fees until we win or settle your case. We review your case for free. When a settlement or verdict is reached, then our legal fee is calculated as a percentage of the total amount recovered. If you call us today to schedule a consultation, it’s free.
News & Updates
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Baltimore’s Archdiocese Attempts to Turn Its Back on Abuse Survivors.
Baltimore’s Archdiocese avoids litigation Last Friday, Baltimore’s Archdiocese took an aggressive step to protect its secrets, money, and assets. It filed for Chapter 11 in federal bankruptcy court to avoid litigation by potentially thousands of claims related to its failure to protect children from predator priests. The Archdiocese hopes this move will limit its liability…
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Largest Reported NY School Abuse Settlement—$3.5 Million for one survivor.
A $3.5 Million sexual abuse settlement for one survivor was secured by attorney Leah Costanzo and the team at Steve Boyd, PC. Steve Boyd, PC, is proud to announce that partner Leah Costanzo represented four of the five plaintiffs who secured $8.4 million in settlements against the Cheektowaga Maryvale Union Free School District. Including the…
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/10/15/sexual-assault-k-12-schools | https://www.rainn.org/statistics/campus-sexual-violence | https://childusa.org/focus-on-facts | https://www.sesamenet.org | https://www.aauw.org/issues/education/sexual-misconduct | Darkness to Light, Child Sexual Abuse Statistics—Consequences, 12/4/15