Las Vegas Sexual Abuse and Misconduct at Schools Lawyers
Aggressive advocacy when young and older students are sexually harmed in Nevada
Parents rely on schools to teach their children and keep them safe. Sadly, many students suffer sexual abuse by administrators, teachers, school employees, and other adults. Sometimes, another child commits a sexual offense. At Claggett & Sykes, we hold schools accountable when they fail to take steps to prevent these horrible acts, fail to report sexual abuse to the proper authorities, hide evidence, or fail to help the victims. Our Las Vegas lawyers file claims on behalf of students and their parents to hold individuals, schools, and other responsible entities liable for the physical harm, emotional scars, and psychological trauma they cause. Call us today to discuss your rights.
Quick Questions
- What is the definition of sexual conduct in Nevada?
- Nevada sexual crimes involving schools
- Who is liable for sexual abuse at a Las Vegas school?
- Mandatory reporting laws in Nevada
- How do you help students who suffer sexual abuse in Las Vegas?
- Why are school districts and others liable for sexual conduct violations of their students?
- Do you have a Las Vegas lawyer who handles sexual abuse at schools near me?
Nevada defines sexual conduct as:
1. Ordinary sexual intercourse
2. Anal intercourse
3. Fellatio, cunnilingus, or other oral-genital contact
4. Physical contact by a person with the unclothed genitals or pubic area of another person for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of either person
5. Penetration, however slight, by a person or an object into the genital or anal opening of the body of another person for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of either person
6. Masturbation or the lewd exhibition of unclothed genitals
7. Sado-masochistic abuse
8. Any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body, or any part or member thereof, of another person.
- A college is “a college or community college which is privately owned or which is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education.”
- A university is “a university which is privately owned or which is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education.”
There are additional definitions for public and private schools.
Nevada makes the following sexual conduct involving schools illegal:
Sexual conduct between certain employees of schools or volunteers at schools and pupils
A school employee or volunteer can be charged with a sexual misconduct offense if they:
- Are 21 or older
- Are “employed by a public school or private school in a position of authority or is or was volunteering at a public or private school in a position of authority.”
- Engage “in sexual conduct with a pupil who is 16 years of age or older, who has not received a high school diploma, a general educational development certificate or an equivalent document and:
- Who is or was enrolled in or attending the public school or private school at which the person is or was employed or volunteering or
- With whom the person has had contact in the course of performing his or her duties as an employee or volunteer.
Certain exceptions apply. The law doesn’t apply if a person is married to a pupil or if the participants are both students.
Sexual conduct between certain employees of colleges or universities and students
A college or university employee can be charged with a sexual conduct offense if they:
- Are 21 or older
- Are “employed in a position of authority by a college or university.”
- Engage in “sexual conduct with a student who is 16 years of age or older, who has not received a high school diploma, a general educational development certificate or an equivalent document and who is enrolled in or attending the college or university at which the person is employed,
Employees include:
- Teachers, professors, and instructors
- Administrators
- A head or assistant coach.
The law generally does not apply when the employee and student are married or both the employee and pupil are students.
Unlawful communication between persons in a position of authority and pupils
Generally, someone who is in a position of authority who knowingly communicates with a student with the intention to commit certain offenses, such as the following, can be charged with a crime. Violations include causing or encouraging the student to:
- Engage in sexual conduct, either in person or through the use of an electronic communication device
- Use an electronic communication device to transmit or distribute a sexual image of himself or herself to the person
- Engage in or facilitate other offenses
Some exceptions may apply.
We can explain whether there are other relevant crimes involving the sexual abuse of students at schools, depending on the circumstances.
First, please know that there is a difference between criminal sexual abuse/conduct charges and civil complaints. A criminal charge seeks to punish the wrongdoers and detain them. A civil complaint holds the wrongdoers accountable by making them pay the victim’s damages for the victim’s physical pain, emotional trauma, medical bills, and any other damages.
At Claggett & Sykes, we file civil claims against the following schools and entities in Las Vegas:
Schools and other entities
- The Clark County School District
- Individual public schools in Clark County
- Private schools
- Religious schools
- Charter schools
- Military schools
- Trade schools
- Other schools
- Youth organizations
Individuals
- Teachers and instructors
- Administrators
- Coaches
- Volunteers
- School employees
- Contractors
- Extra-curricular organizers and other adult participants
- Medical staff
- Maintenance workers
We can file civil claims on behalf of students who are 18 or older and through parents or guardians when the sexual abuse victim is a minor. Our lawyers also represent students who have special needs due to their physical or cognitive challenges.
Nevada requires that the following, among many others, report child abuse and neglect (which includes sexual conduct offenses) to the appropriate authorities (a child welfare agency or a law enforcement agency) within 24 hours of learning or having reasonable cause to believe abuse or neglect of a child has occurred:
- “A person employed by a public school or private school and any person who serves as a volunteer at such a school.”
- “Any person who maintains or is employed by a facility or establishment that provides care for children, children’s camp or other public or private facility, institution or agency furnishing care to a child.”
- “Any person who is employed by or serves as a volunteer for a youth shelter.”
- “Any adult person who is employed by an entity that provides organized activities for children, including, without limitation, a person who is employed by a school district or public school.”
We help parents recognize the signs of sexual abuse, sexual conduct, and abuse. We work with child psychologists and medical professionals who understand how to identify these wrongs in children of all ages, how to speak to children about what happened, and how to treat children with physical, emotional, and behavioral injuries.
Our Las Vegas sexual abuse lawyers help students and parents understand their rights and the short and long-term consequences of sexual misconduct. Many times, your child is not the only victim. There are many cases where teachers, administrators, coaches, and other school personnel have violated multiple victims. At Claggett & Sykes, we have the experience and resources to represent multiple victims of sexual misconduct.
As we discuss in our article on sexual assault lawsuits, there is generally no statute of limitations for filing a sexual abuse civil claim that happened when the victim was a child. There may be some exceptions depending on if and when the abuse was reported, so it’s important to speak to an attorney.
Our Las Vegas sexual abuse lawyers work to hold schools and school-related entities and personnel in a position of authority accountable by showing they:
- Violated a federal or Nevada law
- Violated Title VII of the US Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Failed to implement policies and procedures to protect students from sexual abuse, including training and reporting protocols
- Failed to conduct background checks of their employees
- Failed to comply with mandatory reporting requirements
- Failed to follow acceptable school safety standards
- Failed to act reasonably under the circumstances
- Had prior knowledge of complaints
- Other types of negligent conduct
Do you have a Las Vegas lawyer who handles sexual abuse at schools near me?
Yes. We meet parents and their children at our Las Vegas office located at 4101 Meadows Lane, Suite 100. We’re also able to come to you or make alternate arrangements, including phone and video consultations if you or your child cannot come to our office.
Our lawyers have the experience and resources to handle traumatic personal injury claims, including sexual assaults at universities, colleges, and schools.
Call us now to speak to our Las Vegas school sexual abuse lawyers
We understand how upset you are. Sexual abuse is devastating. Minors and older students are likely to suffer physically, emotionally, and psychologically. At Claggett & Sykes, we represent children, parents, and young adults who are sexually abused or harmed at schools. Our Las Vegas attorneys demand compensation for the student’s medical bills, pain and suffering, and other financial and emotional damages.
Please call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis.