Sexual Abuse and Assault Injury Lawyers
Big Brothers Big Sisters Sexual Abuse Lawsuits: A Guide to Legal Representation
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is a national organization and the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, serving children as young as five years old. It seeks to foster positive relationships between adult volunteers and at-risk youth through long-term mentoring, but these efforts can sometimes lead to allegations. An attorney with experience in Big Brothers Big Sisters sexual abuse lawsuits can help you.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Abuse
The organization’s history spans 12 decades and was formally renamed Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in 1977. The mission of BBBS is to help young people reach their full potential by fostering meaningful relationships and positive development. Currently, approximately 135,000 “Littles” are matched with people of legal age, known as “Bigs”. Many Littles participating come from disadvantaged backgrounds, making them especially vulnerable.
While all chapters conduct comprehensive background checks, including interviews with intake specialists who are trained to identify sexual predators, the organization has faced countless alleged accusations since its inception in 1904.
These lawsuits have significantly impacted its public image and the trust parents place in its ability to provide a safe mentoring environment. Child sexual abuse has been reported in local organizations across the country, causing lifelong harm to vulnerable children.
The high risk of unsupervised interactions between adults and youth has prompted criticism of local affiliates and agencies for failing to implement adequate safety protocols and for failing to monitor matches. Abusers have exploited their position of trust as mentors to groom and harm young persons, including young boys.
In response, BBBS has implemented rigorous background checks (including criminal history, driving records, and personal references), stricter vetting and supervision protocols, and mandatory reporting protocols that require local agencies to report suspected abuse within 24 hours.
BBBS enforces specific safety rules for the relationship, including prohibitions on overnight visits, home visits during the first three months of a match, and certain forms of physical contact. In 2016, BBBS of America paid $1.6 million to settle allegations of misuse of federal grant funds, prompting the implementation of strict internal compliance and audit programs.
Many victims feel alone, embarrassed, or scared to share their story for most of their lives, and often need years or decades to come to terms with what happened before pursuing a lawsuit. California allows survivors of child sexual abuse to file a claim until they are 40 years old or within five years of discovering the abuse as an adult to ensure justice.
Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team
The Injury Lawyer Team is a dedicated firm with a history of standing with survivors in the community. Our office has experience working with young boys and girls who the program mentors or has sexually abused. As a result, we’ve recovered millions in damages for our clients.
- Personalized, Compassionate Representation – We recognize the complexities of these cases and do everything possible to protect victims from further harm. Our compassionate attorneys will ensure abusers are held accountable without retraumatizing victims or their families. We stand with survivors throughout the legal process.
- Comprehensive Legal Aide – Our legal team will handle all aspects of your case, including working with local police, consulting with experts in child sex violence, interviewing other Little Sisters or Little Brothers, and reviewing records.
- Client-Centered Approach – We seek compensation and provide closure to families harmed by this egregious crime. We focus on the victim, keeping you at the forefront of all decisions in your case. We help clients share their stories and recognize their importance in the healing process.
- No Fee Unless We Win – Injury Lawyer Team works on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we hold the abusers accountable.
What is Sexual Abuse?
Child sexual abuse is defined as any interaction between a person of legal age and a child that is meant to bring sexual satisfaction either to the perpetrator or to other parties. This can include inappropriate touching between the victim and the guilty party, sexual battery, showing children sexually explicit images, or producing child pornography to watch.
In this program, alleged abuse has been recognized as a problem. The American Bar Association found 304 cases of alleged sexual abuse between 1982 and 1991.
In one case in California, a mentor allegedly molested four victims, which the program addressed in-house rather than informing the police, putting other participating children at risk for potential abuse. These situations are considered high risk for child sexual abuse, making it essential for organizations to monitor bigs carefully to prevent harm.
Despite chapters having an official policy of mandated reporting for any cases of suspected sex abuse or physical violence, multiple cases have come to light where people were continually allowed access to vulnerable children for years. The mission of BBBS includes a commitment to safety and ensuring monitored matches, but failures to implement adequate safety protocols have led to ongoing concerns.
In one case in Utah, a Little Brother was abused for five years before the victim disclosed the situation to a school counselor.
When institutions fail vulnerable children, victims may experience a serious sense of betrayal and loss of trust, compounding their trauma and leading to lifelong difficulties. As such, we work hard to hold any negligent party responsible for failing to protect a victim from predatory volunteers, providing the closure necessary to heal.
Do Child Victims Who Were Sexually Abused Have Legal Rights?
Injury Lawyer Team is a personal injury firm that pursues civil actions rather than criminal charges. We ensure victims and their families are able to exercise their legal rights, which include:
- The right to report crimes to the program and to the police;
- The right to seek compensation for damages;
- The right to hold the abuser and the related organization accountable.
Filing a lawsuit is an important way for survivors to assert their rights, helping to pursue justice and foster healing.
What Laws Govern Big Brothers Big Sisters Sexual Abuse Lawsuits?
Lawsuits against the national organization, as well as its local affiliates and local agencies, are governed by state civil legislation that defines sex abuse of minors, sets age-of-consent standards, and establishes deadlines for filing civil claims.
These legal challenges have forced BBBS to implement major policy shifts regarding institutional liability. Because programs involve older people paired with children, many states apply statutes specifically addressing sexual conduct by those in positions of authority or trust over minors.
What are State Laws on Age of Consent and Authority Figures?
Although age of consent regulations vary by state, many states invalidate consent when sexual conduct involves a person who holds a supervisory, mentoring, or custodial role over a minor. These are particularly relevant to programs that serve children as young as 5. For example:
- Virginia: Virginia recognizes civil actions for injuries resulting from sex abuse committed against a minor under Va. Code § 8.01-243(D). The statute ties civil claims to sex abuse as defined under Title 18.2 of the Virginia Code, which governs sexual offenses involving minors and authority figures.
- Wisconsin: Wisconsin defines sexual assault of a child under Wis. Stat. § 948.02, which applies broadly to grown-ups engaging in sexual contact or intercourse with minors. These statutory definitions are frequently cited in civil suits involving youth mentoring and supervision.
- Kentucky: Kentucky addresses sex crimes involving minors and people in positions of authority under KRS § 510.110, which covers sexual crimes by individuals who exercise authority, supervision, or special trust over a minor. The position of the “big” in these organizations gives them significant influence and responsibility over minors, which abusers can exploit to gain confidence and manipulate vulnerable children.
Together, these statutes reflect a consistent legal principle: children participating in many youth programs cannot legally consent to sexual activity with adult mentors, regardless of general age-of-consent rules.
What is the Statute of Limitations?
Statutes of limitations set the time limit for filing civil lawsuits. Many states provide extended filing periods for child sex crimes due to delayed disclosure. For example:
- Virginia: Civil actions for childhood sex crimes may be filed within 20 years of the accrual of the cause of action under Va. Code § 8.01-243(D).
- Kentucky: Kentucky permits civil actions for childhood sex crimes to be filed within ten years of the later of the last act or discovery of the injury, under KRS § 413.249.
Jurisdictional Considerations
Sex crime lawsuits are typically governed by the state where the incident occurred, regardless of where the survivor currently resides. Courts apply state statutes defining sex crimes, consent, and filing deadlines to determine whether a civil claim may proceed.
Who is Liable for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Child Sexual Abuse Cases?
When something occurs in a program, both the individual and the affiliated organization can be held accountable.
The program may be liable for negligence. In a sex crime case, this includes the following factors:
- Duty of Care – BBBS was obligated to prevent abusers from becoming mentors by conducting appropriate background checks and screening prospective participants.
- Breach of Duty – The organization failed to screen its participants adequately.
- Causation – The abuser would not have gained access to the victim had it not been for BBBS’s failure to vet its members.
- Damages – The child and their relatives or guardians had financial losses as a result of this breach.
What are the Signs and Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse?
It’s indispensable to recognize the signs of sexual misconduct in children, as early intervention can both stop the situation and prevent lifelong damage to the child’s mental well-being. Common signs include:
- Changes in mood or behavior
- New and unusual fears
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
- Bedwetting
- Developmentally inappropriate sexual knowledge
- Aggression or destructive behaviors
- Social anxiety
- Poor school performance
- Nondescript physical symptoms
- Vague questions about ‘secrets’ or ‘games’
What Should You Do If You or Your Child Has Been Sexually Abused?
These crimes can have lifelong consequences; it’s crucial to seek help immediately. Follow these steps as soon as possible if you or your loved one has suffered abuse.
- Seek Medical Attention – Go to the hospital and explain the circumstances. They can connect you with professionals trained to assist victims.
- Contact the Police – Call the police with as many details as you may have, and inform them if the victim is underage so that they can bring in specialists.
- File a Formal Complaint – It is important to file a formal complaint with the program and law enforcement. This helps document the situation and initiates official investigations.
- Inform BBBS – Inform program administrators immediately so they can suspend the mentor.
- Gather Evidence – Take photos and collect all communications you may have from the perpetrator.
- Contact a Dedicated Attorney – We’re just a call away, ready to help you explore your legal options. A dedicated attorney can guide you through the process and ensure your rights are protected.
How Can a Sexual Abuse Attorney Help With Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Lawsuits?
A child sexual abuse lawyer from our firm will guide you through the entire legal process, which includes:
- Gathering evidence
- Interviewing witnesses and organization officials
- Partnering with law enforcement
- Communicating with third parties on your behalf
- Negotiating with insurance companies for an appropriate settlement
- Offering trial representation
Our attorney will stand with survivors, supporting you as you share your story and ensuring your voice is heard throughout the legal process.
What Damages Can Survivors Recover in a Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Sex Abuse Claim?
We will ensure you receive compensation meant to help you heal from this devastating tragedy, which can include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Therapy
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In some cases, a court awards punitive damages in addition to typical personal injury settlements.
Contact Us For a Free Consultation
At Injury Lawyer Team, we serve as strong advocates for the rights of those harmed by trusted individuals. Our lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win your case.
To schedule your free consultation about a BBBS case, contact us online.
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All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.