Reno Sexual Abuse and Misconduct at Schools Lawyers
Caring representation when students suffer sexual abuse at Washoe County schools
Students are vulnerable to sexual abuse at schools because many of the teachers, administrators, and school employees they come into contact with have authority over the academic success of each student. Minor children are especially vulnerable to sexual abuse. At Claggett & Sykes, our lawyers hold schools and school officials liable when they abuse their authority by engaging in sexual conduct with students. Our Reno lawyers represent students and the parents of children when schools, school districts, school personnel, and anyone with access to schools engage in inappropriate sexual conduct with a student. We demand compensation for the student’s physical harm and emotional trauma. Call us now to discuss your rights.
How can we help?
- How does Nevada define “sexual conduct”?
- What sexual conduct can result in criminal charges in Nevada?
- Who is responsible for sexual abuse at a Reno school?
- Which school staff members have a mandatory duty to report sexual misconduct?
- How does Claggett & Sykes advocate for students who suffer sexual abuse in Reno?
- Why are schools and school districts liable for sexual conduct violations of their students?
- Do you have a Reno lawyer who handles sexual abuse at schools near me?
Nevada’s criminal code defines sexual conduct as involving various types of intercourse, penetration, sexual contact, and lewd or lascivious behavior. The criminal code defines a college or university as a college or university that is privately owned or is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. There are additional definitions for public and private schools.
It is not necessary to show that a school or individual at a school committed or permitted criminal sexual abuse to file a civil claim. Our Reno sexual abuse lawyers can file civil claims if a school fails to protect a student from any type of sexual abuse or conduct from another student. Schools have a duty to vet their employees, determine who has access to the school, implement policies and procedures to keep students safe, investigate complaints of abuse, and provide help for any students who report incidents.
In a school-related civil claim, our Reno sexual abuse lawyers represent you. We demand compensation for the student’s physical, emotional, and psychological injuries, which often last a lifetime.
Nevada’s criminal code makes the following types of sexual conduct illegal:
A school employee or volunteer can be charged with a sexual misconduct offense if they:
- Are 21 or older.
- A public or private school hires/engages the services of an employee or volunteer in a position of authority.
- The employee or volunteer engages “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 the student is “enrolled in or attending the public school or private school at which the person is or was employed or volunteering” or the student has contact with the employee or volunteer during the course of the employee’s/volunteer’s performance of his or her duties.
Some exceptions apply.
Sexual conduct between certain employees of colleges or universities and students
A college or university employee can be charged with a sexual conduct offense. The conduct in these claims will be similar to those in schools, except that the setting is a college or university.
Employees include:
- Professors
- Teachers
- Instructors
- Administrators
- Head or assistant coaches
Some exceptions may apply.
Unlawful communication between persons in a position of authority and pupils
Generally, a person who is in a position of authority and who knowingly communicates with a student with the intention to commit certain offenses, including the following, can be charged with a crime. These offenses include:
- Engaging in sexual conduct, either in person or through the use of an electronic communication device
- Using an electronic communication device to transmit or distribute a sexual image of himself or herself to the person
Some exceptions may apply.
Schools and other entities
At Claggett & Sykes, we file civil claims against the following Reno schools and entities:
- The Washoe County School District
- Individual public schools in Washoe County
- Private schools
- Charter schools
- Religious schools
- Trade schools
- Military schools
- Other schools
- Youth organizations
Individuals
- Teachers, professors, and instructors
- School, college, or university administrators
- Coaches and after-school advisors
- School employees
- Contractors
- Volunteers
- School medical staff
- Maintenance workers
- Other adults with access to the school, college, or university
We represent adult students, the parents of minor students, and students with physical or cognitive special needs.
Nevada makes it mandatory that the following school officials and personnel report child abuse and neglect to local Reno child welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies within 24 hours of learning or having reasonable cause to believe a child is suffering abuse or neglect:
- Any employee or volunteer of a public school, private school, or youth shelter
- “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 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.”
Our Reno sexual abuse lawyers help students and parents recognize the signs of sexual abuse and misconduct. The Claggett & Sykes team works with child psychologists and other medical professionals to help treat the student’s physical and emotional injuries. We also have the experience and skills to help all students express their fears and help children explain what happened.
Our lawyers review whether there are other student victims. Often, teachers, professors, coaches, and other school personnel are violating multiple students. We represent individual claimants. Our lawyers also file class action lawsuits on behalf of multiple sexual abuse victims.
Our Reno sexual abuse lawyers work to show that schools, school-related entities, and school employees and volunteers are accountable because they:
- Violated a federal or Nevada law
- Violated Title VII of the US Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Did not conduct background checks of their employees
- Failed to create and implement procedures to keep students safe from sexual abuse
- Did not meet mandatory reporting requirements
- Did not comply with acceptable school safety standards
- Did not make students feel safe enough to report sexual misconduct
- Had prior knowledge of complaints of sexual misconduct and failed to act
- Were negligent in other ways
As we discuss in our sexual assault article, adults who suffer sexual abuse can file their complaints at any time. There are some exceptions, so it’s important to reach out to a lawyer right away.
Do you have a Reno lawyer who handles sexual abuse at schools near me?
Yes. Our lawyers meet parents and students at our Reno office located at 100 N Sierra St, Suite 220. If your physical or emotional injuries prevent you or your child from coming to our office, we can often make alternate arrangements, including speaking by phone and through online video.
Our lawyers will answer your questions and guide you through the claims process. Our personal injury lawyers file claims at grade schools, high schools, colleges, and universities.
Get help from our Reno school sexual abuse lawyers now
We understand how traumatic any sexual abuse is. The consequences of sexual abuse often last a lifetime. At Claggett & Sykes, our lawyers advocate for children, parents, and young adults who suffer sexual misconduct or abuse at schools, colleges, and universities. Our Reno attorneys demand compensation for the student’s medical bills, physical pain, emotional suffering, and other financial and emotional damages.
Please call us or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis.