Sports Coach Sexual Abuse Claims

News Alert (6/23/21): This week the State of Maine changed the statute of limitations for those born before August 11, 1970, who were sexually abused as children, allowing them to pursue civil claims against their abuser.

• Read editorial: “Maine took a small step to empower survivors of child sex abuse”
• Read news article: “Maine lists barrier to bringing child sex abuse suits”

If you are seeking a sports coach sexual abuse lawyer to advocate for you, contact Berman & Simmons Trial Attorneys. We can help get you the justice you deserve.

You are not alone.  Many Child Sexual Abuse Survivors are now coming forward.  

In recent years, there has been a major explosion in sports coach sexual abuse cases across the nation. This is especially true of gymnastics sex abuse, as 368 gymnasts alleged some type of not only coach sex abuse but also sexual abuse by gym owners and other workers in gymnastics over a 20-year period. Almost all the victims were females, many of them children.

These incidents include an Olympic coach molesting a 12-year-old during therapy sessions, a coach putting his finger under the leotards of his trainees, and a coach having sex — almost daily — with a 14-year-old female. The report came from an investigation done by USA Today IndyStar Network, where hundreds of court cases and police files across the country were reviewed. Thus, allegations also involve a coverup of the governing body over national gymnasts. Apparently, abusers were allowed to quietly move from gym to gym.

Child Predators may be difficult to recognize

Many Americans are major sports fans. We are introduced to sports at an early age when most of us develop a passion for some type of game. Being an athlete involves coaching and the younger you start, the better your chances of playing at a collegiate/professional level. Parents worry about their child’s safety when taking part in youth sports. Instances occur where some coaches and trainers that should be professional mentors end up being predators, preying on youth athletes while taking advantage of their mentorship role.

How Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse Are Affected

Abusive coaches, athletic trainers, physical trainers, sports mentors, and volunteers know how to groom their victims and keep them quiet. Some abusers convince kids to stay quiet by threatening their parents. Because kids are afraid or ashamed to tell an adult, many of them carry this secret into adulthood and suffer psychological injury. This long-lived, devastating trauma could have major detrimental effects that can lead to substance abuse, adult sexual dysfunctions, depression, and the inability to have lasting relationships.

Coaches and Trainers Should Be Trustworthy

We entrust athletic organizations and coaches with our most prized possession — our kids. Coaches and trainers should instill a sense of pride and good habits in the children they train. Sadly, some coaches take advantage of their authority and abuse their role. If you or your child was sexually abused by a coach or any adult in sports areas, contact us immediately for assistance. You are not alone. Berman & Simmons are here to help. We have helped many families like yours get the compensation they deserve.

Guidelines To Help Reduce the Risk of Your Child Becoming a Victim of Coach Sexual Abuse

While we all want to believe our children are in good hands when training for sports events, we must be skeptical at all times, no matter how good a coach may seem. Here are some guidelines you can follow to help reduce sexual misconduct risks by a trainer, coach, or anyone else involved with your child’s sports training:

• A child should never be alone with any coach, trainer, or other person involved in sports training.
• As a parent, you have the final say when it comes to your child, never give up that authority.
• Conduct background searches for anyone involved with your child.
• Never allow a coach, trainer, or doctor to shame or ridicule your child.
• If your child has a phone or email, be sure the child is never isolating the communication with their coaches, trainers, or doctors.
• If you ever learn of someone being inappropriate with your child, report it immediately.

Signs Your Child May Have Been Sexually Abused

Parents have a role in recognizing potential sex abuse. The following are just some of the warning signs to look out for:

• Special attention or privileges are given to your child.
• Your child distances from you, their friends, and others.
• Gifts are given to your child exclusively and not to other teammates.
• Secretive encounters and meetings with your child and their coach.
• Your child hesitates to engage in other after-school activities.
• Your child has a sudden interest in sex not appropriate for your child’s age.
• Changes in appetite, sleep habits, academic performance, or behavior such as depression or aggression.

Who Is Held Responsible?

When it comes to the sexual abuse of a child in a sports program setting, employers of the perpetrators, sponsoring organizations, alongside any individual who had anything to do with the incident or even assumed it was happening can potentially be held responsible. The organization may be held responsible if they failed to protect your child, failed to report sexual misconduct, or failed to inform you. Some organizations have been known to cover up such incidents and are held accountable for these actions. At Berman & Simmons, we pursue all avenues of justice to get victims of sports sexual abuse the maximum compensation available in Maine.

The Statute of Limitation for Child Sexual Abuse Has Changed

There is no longer a statute of limitations (SOL) in Maine for child sexual abuse claims. Now all victims of child sexual misconduct can file a lawsuit against their abusers or negligent organizations at any time.

Recently, a bill was passed to extend the statute of limitations (the amount of time in which a harmed person may pursue their claims) for victims of sexual abuse to pursue claims against their abusers. This new law is now in effect thanks to Governor Mills and many legislators who co-sponsored and fought for it, including survivor Representative Lori Gramlich.

The new law is more reflective of trauma-informed policies and promotes safety in our communities. Now there is no SOL for victims of sexual crimes, including:

• Child sexual abuse
• Rape
• Incest
• Unlawful sexual contact
• Gross sexual assault

Before this change, we had to turn some victims away who came to us for representation, but now we encourage them to return to us to see if we can move forward with their cases.

Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

It is disturbing to know that almost 70% of all the sexual assaults reported in the U.S. involve a child under the age of 17.

Many victims who were sexually abused as a child do not come forward until years or even decades later. In fact, 73% of sexually abused children don’t tell anyone they were abused for at least one year. 45% of sexually assaulted children wait at least 5 years to tell someone and some victims will never disclose the incidents.

There are a number of reasons why sexually abused individuals don’t report these offenses until years later. Some are scared since the perpetrator may have threatened to harm them or their loved ones. Others are too ashamed to report these incidents, and then there are those who haven’t come to terms with what was done to them until years later. Another common reason why some don’t disclose their abuse is that they don’t believe anything can be done about it.

Contact us when you are ready, when it’s your time.

Victims of sexual abuse can demand damages and compensation from their abusers. As a victim of child sex crimes, you are entitled to both economic and non-economic damages that include compensation for all your pain and suffering.

How a Coach Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Help With Your Lawsuit

There are many reasons why you need a good coach sex abuse lawyer to help with your case. An experienced lawyer can…

• Discuss your case with you and then decide whether you should follow through with your claim.
• Investigate your claim by speaking to medical experts, including therapists, researching collectability , talking to potential witnesses, and more.
• Negotiate a fair settlement to cover all your past, present, and future pain and suffering.
• Help gather documents, fill out paperwork, and file and serve your lawsuit.
• Protect you against other attorneys who ask inappropriate questions and/or harass you.
• Can interpret the laws and jargon while walking you through the process.

Let Us Help With Your Sexual Child Abuse Case in Maine

At Berman & Simmons, our coach sexual abuse attorneys are compassionate professionals, committed to fighting for childhood sexual abuse survivors. You can talk to us about anything and we will help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.

Hire Our Qualified Sports Coach Sexual Abuse Attorneys in Maine

If you’ve been sexually abused by a coach or trainer and need expert legal counsel, turn to Berman & Simmons. Our sports coach sexual abuse lawyers will help you get maximum compensation and bring accountability to institutional abuse.

If you suffered sexual abuse 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.