PA High School Sexual Assault Lawyers

High school is a time of new friendships, new teachers, and a new environment. Unfortunately, this can mean a time of bullying, harassment, and sexual assault. Approximately 1 in 4 high school girls and 1 in 6 high school boys have experienced sexual violence (25% of girls and 17% of boys). Sadly, half of all high school students who experience sexual assault do not tell anyone about it.

High school sexual abuse survivors may ask the following questions:

• At what age is sexual assault most common?
• What is considered evidence of sexual abuse?
• What are the 3 behavioral indicators of sexual abuse?
• How can I recognize grooming?
• Who can I turn to if sexually abused at high school?

High School Sexual Assault Lawyers Fighting for PA Students

At Justice Guardians, our high school sexual abuse lawyers understand how traumatic and confusing these experiences can be and will do everything we can to help you through this difficult time. Contact us today for a free consultation if you were a victim of a high school sexual assault.

What Are the Different Types of High School Sex Abuse?

High school sexual abuse is a serious issue, and it's important for parents and other adults to be aware of the different types so that they can recognize signs of potential abuse.

There are several different types of high school sex abuse that can affect both male and female students, ranging from verbal harassment to physical assault. Here are some examples of high school sexual abuse:

• Verbal harassment: This can include derogatory comments or taunt about someone’s gender, appearance, or sexual orientation. Victims may find themselves the target of jokes or public humiliation by their peers based on these factors.
• Unwanted touching: Inappropriate touching of any kind without consent is considered a form of sexual abuse in high schools. This includes forceful kisses, unwanted hugs, groping, or grabbing at parts of the body without consent.
• Physical assault: This can involve hitting, punching, or forcing someone into sexual activity against his or her will. Even threats made in jest should not be taken lightly; victims may feel scared and threatened by this behavior even if nothing happens afterward.
• Online harassment: Cyberbullying and online stalking can also be forms of sexual abuse in high schools if used to harass students about their gender identity or sexuality. This kind of behavior often leaves victims feeling unsafe in their own environment because it can occur anywhere – at home, in the hallways between classes, etc.
• Pressure tactics: Oftentimes, abusers will attempt to pressure their victims into engaging in activities they don't want to do as a way to manipulate them (such as sending explicit photos). This type of manipulation is emotionally abusive and needs to be addressed right away if you suspect anyone is being pressured in this way by an adult or peer at your high school.

Common High School Sexual Abuse:

Statutory Rape -

Statutory rape is a crime in which an adult has sexual relations or sexual contact with someone below the legal age of consent.

Sexual Assault Hazing -

High school sexual assault hazing is an increasingly common form of physical and psychological bullying experienced by some students. It is a harrowing experience for its victims, as it can involve physical, mental, and emotional abuse. Unfortunately, because this kind of behavior has become so commonplace in some schools, many students are afraid to report it or to seek help from adults who can support them.

Sexual Harassment -

At its core, sexual harassment in high school involves any unwelcome or unwanted physical or verbal conduct based on gender that creates an uncomfortable environment or atmosphere at school. This might include inappropriate jokes or comments, being teased in a sexual way, unwanted touching or advances, spreading rumors about someone’s sex life, and more.

Grooming -

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare – that your child might be the victim of sexual grooming. Sexual grooming is an unfortunate reality that affects many high school students. It’s a deliberate act of manipulation by an adult intended to increase sexual contact, or worse, with a minor.

Grooming techniques involve an adult becoming close to the child using gifts, compliments, attention, special privileges, and other tactics to draw out trust and affection from the student. Grooming may also involve exploiting gaps in teens' experiences, knowledge, and understanding of sexual relationships, as well as feelings of guilt if they don’t comply with the predator’s requests.

Sexting -

Sexting is a risky trend among high school students, and it's a behavior that every parent should be aware of. Sexting is when someone sends sexually explicit messages or images to someone else electronically. This activity has become increasingly popular among teenagers, but it can have serious repercussions for both sender and receiver.

What Can You Do if You Were Sexually Assaulted as a High School Student?

When someone has been sexually assaulted as a high school student, it can be an incredibly traumatic experience. If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault, there are various steps you can take to help them heal and come to terms with what happened.

1. First and foremost – seek medical attention immediately if necessary. Receiving the right kind of treatment can prevent physical injuries from becoming more serious or leading to infection or other complications. It’s also important to document any injuries that may result from the attack, as this may be useful evidence should your assailant ever face prosecution.
2. After medical attention has been taken care of, the next step is for survivors to seek professional counseling. Talking with a therapist trained in handling cases of sexual assault is an essential part of healing from such a traumatic event, especially in teenagers and young adults who may not have had access to these kinds of services before. Professional therapists are also equipped to offer support and advice on how best to cope with ongoing stress related to the trauma caused by sexual assault.
3. It’s often advisable for high school students who were victims of sexual assault to contact their school and inform them about what happened so they can receive any additional help they need or further assistance in reporting the crime (if requested).
4. Lastly, victims and their families should contact a high school sex abuse attorney to explore their legal options.

What Legal Actions Are Available to High School Sexual Abuse Victims?

Sexual abuse in schools is an unfortunately common occurrence that can have devastating impacts on victims. Thankfully, there are legal actions available to school sexual abuse victims which can help them seek justice and find the closure they need.

One legal remedy that a victim may pursue is to bring a civil lawsuit against their abuser or the responsible institution for damages. This is a legal claim for financial compensation for any physical, emotional, or psychological injury suffered as a result of the abuse. Another option is to file criminal charges against their abuser, depending on the situation.

Victims may also be able to seek protection orders from the courts if they feel threatened by their abuser or feel that they require additional safety measures in order to go back to school without being worried about being victimized again. The court will typically order no contact between the accuser and the accused and will tell parties how far apart they must keep from each other during school hours.

Who Is Liable for Sexual Assault at a High School or College?

At high schools and colleges, there is a duty of care that requires the institution to maintain a safe environment for those on campus. If this duty is not met and students are sexually assaulted by other students at the high school or college, then that school could be considered liable. The same applies if any member of staff at the school knew about any potential risk of harm posed by one of its students/employees but failed to do anything about it.

It's important for all high schools and colleges to take proactive steps to reduce sexual assaults on campus through education, staff training, and security measures. Institutions should also provide support for survivors of sexual assault - this could include providing counseling services or legal advice.

Ultimately, those responsible for sexual assaults must be held accountable - both legally and culturally - but it's important that institutions such as high schools and colleges also face justice when failing in their duty of care towards their students or staff.

How Can a PA High School Sexual Abuse Attorney Help?

High school sexual abuse lawyers have one goal: to protect the rights of their clients. A high school sexual abuse lawyer can help a student or parent who has been victimized by a teacher, coach, or other students.

When you contact an experienced Pennsylvania high school sexual abuse attorney, they will:

• investigate your case thoroughly and provide counsel on steps to take to seek justice against the perpetrator
• handle communication between law enforcement and the courts, ensuring that all necessary documents are filed properly
• help obtain compensation for physical, emotional, and psychological damages caused by the incident.
• ensure that statutes of limitation are observed when filing a civil case against the offending individual or school district.

Call for a Free, Confidential Consultation with Our Sexual Assault Attorneys

Sexual abuse is a very serious crime that can affect people for the rest of their lives. The victims of sexual abuse suffer from a wide range of symptoms, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, flashbacks, nightmares, and suicidal thoughts. They can have physical health problems such as chronic fatigue, headaches, stomach problems, sleep disorders, and other physical ailments. Many victims do not disclose the abuse because they are embarrassed, ashamed, and do not want to think about it.

If you are a victim of sexual abuse, you need an experienced and qualified lawyer who can guide you through this difficult time. At Justice Guardians, our team of Pennsylvania high school sexual abuse attorneys is prepared to represent you and get you the justice you deserve.

Our lawyers understand the complex process of child sexual abuse and will ensure that you are provided with a thorough and effective defense. Contact us today for a free consultation if you are a victim of sexual abuse.