Maine Summer Camp Sexual Abuse Cases

Seeking Justice for Survivors of Sexual Abuse at Children’s Camps

More than 14 million American kids attend camps each year.  Maine is a mecca for summer camps.  It seems like everyone went to camp in Maine when they were a child. In Maine alone, over 63,000 campers come to the state every summer, contributing $495 million to the state’s economy. Run by a wide range of religious groups, youth organizations, private companies, and public entities, summer, overnight, and day camps are a huge industry. But it is also an industry that is surprisingly and relatively unregulated, and lacking uniform standards for safety, training, and accreditation.

At Berman & Simmons, our lawyers specialize in working with survivors of childhood or adolescent sexual abuse, including those who experienced such trauma at an overnight or day camp. With empathy, compassion, and a deep appreciation of the courage it takes for victims to come forward, we fight to get sexual abuse victims the justice they deserve and the compensation that can help them move forward.

Summer Camps must never allow children to be sexually abused.

Parents trust those who run children’s camps to ensure the safety and well-being of their kids while they attend. This includes properly screening, hiring, training, and supervising counselors and staff to prevent abusers and acts of abuse from causing irreparable physical, psychological, and emotional harm to the campers in their care. For decades, all camps have known that they needed to have strong abuse prevention policies in place. When a camp and its leadership fail to meet this fundamental responsibility, they can and should be held accountable.

Lack of Standards and Oversight Leaves Campers Vulnerable to Predators

Sexual abuse at children’s overnight camps and day camps has tarnished the lives of thousands of kids over the past several decades. A recent CBS News expose uncovered reports of more than 500 alleged acts of sexual abuse at camps over the past 50 years, though many experts believe the actual number of abuse cases is significantly higher. While the overwhelming percentage of adults and teens who work at summer camps are responsible and trustworthy, camps also attract would-be predators who see a ripe environment for engaging in horrific acts of molestation and abuse.

In the past, many states had no licensing requirements for overnight camps, and even to this day there are no mandatory background checks for counselors and other employees in many states. Combine this lack of oversight with thousands of kids away from home, unsupervised by parents, and in unfamiliar environments. It is easy to see why sexual predators gravitate towards summer camps to have unsupervised access to vulnerable and vulnerable and impressionable children.

Protecting Campers: Essential Steps for Preventing Sexual Abuse at Children’s Camps

Regardless of any regulatory requirements, camp operators have a duty to take reasonable steps to avoid hiring potential sex offenders and prevent acts of abuse. These steps can include:

• Conducting criminal background checks as part of the hiring process.
• Providing sexual abuse awareness training for staff members.
• Establishing policies and procedures for identifying, reporting, and addressing incidents of suspected sexual abuse.
• Educating campers on what to do if they feel unsafe or experience inappropriate staff conduct.
• Creating a system to monitor the behavior of older campers with their younger peers.

The best sexual abuse lawyers, the most resources, and over $1.45 billion recovered for our clients

Berman & Simmons is widely recognized as the premier law firm in Maine for survivors of sexual abuse. But for us, that is not enough. With our unparalleled resources, trauma-informed philosophy, and depth of talent, we strive to be among the best in the country.

Year after year, we have set new records for survivors of sexual abuse.  Our sex abuse attorneys have pursued justice for more abuse survivors than any other law firm in Maine. Our track record of success is built on our experience, knowledge, and determined advocacy. But handling these complex cases requires much more than mastery of the law.  We have access to the world’s leading and most highly credentialed experts whose analysis and testimony are often pivotal in our efforts to obtain full compensation for our clients.

When the stakes are high, Berman & Simmons has what it takes to stand up for abuse survivors.

Compassion and Confidentiality for Victims of Summer Camp Sexual Abuse

At Berman & Simmons, our experienced sexual abuse attorneys will work with you in a manner that acknowledges the difficulty of discussing your trauma and the courage it takes to do so. Our lawyers are committed to maintaining confidentiality, respecting personal boundaries, and standing up against those who abused their power to take advantage of vulnerable children. If you suffered sexual abuse while away at camp as a child and are ready to speak with one of our Maine child sexual abuse attorneys and learn more about your rights, please contact us to arrange a free, confidential initial consultation.

Advising Parents Who Seek Help for Their Children Who Were Abused in Maine

If your child has been sexually abused at a summer camp or day camp in Maine and you need expert legal counsel, turn to Berman & Simmons. Our sexual abuse lawyers will advise you regarding your child’s rights, and help you get maximum compensation so that you can provide your child with the level of care and resources that they require to cope with the trauma of what they have been through.

All of our free case consultations are completely confidential, regardless of whether or not you decide to move forward with a case on behalf of your minor child.  Please contact us today for more information.