Boarding School Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation for Victims of Boarding School Abuse

Boarding school sexual abuse lawsuits hold school officials accountable for the tremendous psychological harm caused by inappropriate behavior with young students. 

Injury Lawyer Team empowers minor and adult survivors to take back their stories through a school sexual abuse lawsuit while also securing fair compensation for a brighter future. Contact us today to learn how our boarding school abuse attorneys can help you seek justice. 

Why Choose Our Boarding School Abuse Lawyers

Over the past 25 years, our law firm has helped over 5,000 clients take action against negligent institutions, preventing future abuses of power. We are a Super Lawyers®-rated firm and a member of the American Association for Justicewith a 98% success rate. 

Through our scholarship at the National Law Review, we help survivors and other attorneys navigate the complicated legal questions surrounding boarding school sexual abuse and other forms of institutional abuse, such as abuse in nursing homes. 

This has cemented our reputation as the leading law firm protecting victims and holding negligent institutions accountable, whether they are boarding schools or long-term care facilities. 

Additionally, our attorneys have earned a spot in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, having secured settlements and verdicts exceeding $450 million. 

In one case, our attorneys secured $15,000,000 for several male students molested by a coach at a private school. School administrators were allegedly aware that the sex abuse occurred, but refused to protect students by removing the perpetrator from the staff. 

Notable Boarding School Sexual Abuse Cases

Boarding schools are private institutions where young students live away from their primary support system, like their parents. Instead, they reside alongside staff members, faculty members, and coaches. This creates an environment where staff members may sexually abuse students with little oversight and opportunities for escape.

Thousands of former students have come forward to share their stories of sexual abuse and molestation, alleging that school staff members exploited their authority over children to perpetrate sexual misconduct. 

California

One of the most shocking California boarding school sexual abuse lawsuits occurred at the California School for the Deaf, where a former student was sexually abused for years by a teacher. The abuse occurred between 2009 and 2011, when the victim was only 10 years old. 

The perpetrator, Ricardo Rose, had made multiple former students and other faculty members uncomfortable to the point that a fellow teacher refused to work with him. He sexually assaulted the young boy numerous times, even threatening to bite his fingers off if he told anyone. 

This would be a serious threat against anyone, but it is especially disturbing when said to a young deaf boy, who would not be able to communicate without his hands.

The unnamed victim did not tell anyone that the abuse occurred until he turned 18, at which time he filed lawsuits against the school and Rose. He was awarded $14 million, the highest settlement ever paid to a single survivor in California sexual abuse lawsuits. 

Connecticut

Connecticut school sexual abuse claims center around the Hotchkiss School, where seven staff members sexually abused at least 16 former students. The abuse occurred between 1969 and lasted until 1992. One teacher, Leif Thorne-Thomsen, married two of his female students after they graduated. 

The boarding school sexual abuse lawsuits allege that school administrators were aware of the sexual misconduct but did nothing to stop it, allowing these perpetrators to remain employed for years after credible allegations emerged. 

In 2024, the Hotchkiss School released a statement about another abuser within their ranks: Roy G. Smith, an English teacher and athletic trainer at the facility from 1970 to 2000. Smith died in 2014 without facing justice for his actions. The school has privately resolved multiple claims related to Smith and has developed partnerships with multiple advocacy organizations. 

These collaborations are meant to provide additional training in warning signs of grooming, improve background check procedures, and ensure the well-being of former or current students who may have been mistreated by staff or fellow students. Hotchkiss School has also implemented an anonymous reporting form for prompt responses to allegations. 

Georgia

In April 2024, Darlington Middle School sexual abuse lawsuits awarded 20 former students $345 million for severe child sexual abuse perpetrated between 1977 and 1988. 

English teacher and dorm parent Robert Stifflemire sexually abused students, threatening them with expulsion if they didn’t comply. One boy was indeed expelled from the boarding school after refusing to cooperate.

None of the victims knew that others were being assaulted as well. The sexual misconduct took place in dorms, classrooms, Stifflemire’s car, and at various off-campus locations. 

Fellow staff members were aware of the sexual abuse but failed to report it to the authorities. Instead, Darlington Middle School issued an “apology letter” in 2017 but still failed to take action. This letter insisted that the school wasn’t aware of the sexual abuse and that all of the claims involved non-physical contact, in direct contrast with survivor statements. 

After legal action, Darlington Middle School agreed to pay claims, issue honorary diplomas to victims who didn’t graduate due to sexual abuse, and to place a plaque commemorating the victims. 

Illinois

One of the most high-profile Illinois boarding school sexual abuse lawsuits centers around the Institute of Islamic Education in Elgin, a Muslim boarding school for girls and boys in grades 6-12. The founder, Mohammad Abdullah Saleem, sexually abused at least four young women and assaulted a 23-year-old female employee. 

A young man also alleges that a different teacher assaulted him, and lawyers expect that more students will come forward as the legal process continues. 

Tragically, the Institute of Islamic Education is not the only boarding school to be rocked by sexual abuse allegations. Rock River Academy was the subject of numerous investigations and lawsuits starting in 2015, with allegations of prostitution and widespread rape. 

This facility, which is designed as a residential treatment facility for girls with behavioral issues, treated its students “like animals.” There were at least 350 calls to the police in four years, with at least eight involving rape, sodomy, and assault. Residents claimed that facility staff flirted with girls, particularly those with intellectual disabilities. 

Massachusetts

Recent Massachusetts sexual abuse lawsuits are making a change in state law, pushing for lawmakers to close legislative loopholes that harm childhood sexual abuse survivors. 

Former students at the elite private school in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, allege that Miss Hall’s School employee Matthew Rutledge repeatedly assaulted them while administrators did nothing about the allegations. 

In fact, the boarding school protected Rutledge from consequences, silenced victims, and used the school’s isolated location to keep them from sharing their harrowing stories of child sexual abuse. 

Another concern at Miss Hall’s was that staff members and students openly commingled, breaking down the barriers between adults and children. This allowed staff to sexually abuse students without consequence, as it was considered normal for students to enter a teacher’s private apartment. 

Missouri

Numerous students have filed sexual abuse lawsuits in Missouri against Agape Boarding School, a private Christian academy for boys that closed in January 2023. Dr. David Smock, the boarding school’s physician, was charged with 11 counts of child sexual abuse against students at the school. 

Meanwhile, five former staff members have been sued for their involvement in boarding school abuse at Agape, which was likened to a “concentration camp.” In addition to Dr. Smock abusing students, children were forced to work until they vomited and were denied care packages sent by their parents, making them feel abandoned by those who loved them most. 

One former student alleges that he was raped and mocked for his epilepsy, while others suffered permanent physical injuries and emotional trauma due to the severe punishments. A wrongful lawsuit alleges that one former pupil’s sexual abuse at the facility led to his suicide years later. 

New Jersey

Child sexual abuse at Delbarton, an all-boys boarding school, has led to the first New Jersey school sexual abuse claimsagainst the Catholic Church in the state. Rev. Richard Lott sexually abused at least one student in 1975, when he invited the boy to drink with him in the barn where he lived. Lott would also throw illicit parties for his pupils, inviting them to drink and take drugs. 

The child informed Abbott Brian Clarke that Lott was molesting students in a letter in 1977, after he graduated, but Clarke did nothing. Instead, he destroyed the letter because publicly admitting sexual abuse would tarnish the boarding school’s reputation, potentially leading to other parents refusing to send their children there. 

In 2018, Delbarton acknowledged that at least 30 former pupils had come forward alleging sex abuse by at least 13 past or current monks or priests at the facility over the course of decades. The abuse was so widespread that the monks coined a term for accusers: “termites.” In each of the settlements, the boarding school refused to take accountability. 

New York

Over 60 survivors filed New York school sexual abuse claims against the Horace Mann School in the Bronx, which was described as a “nest of pedophiles.” This is more than double the 25 students identified in a 2013 report by the Bronx district attorney’s office. 

An investigation found a web of denials that allowed teachers, coaches, and faculty of both sexes to abuse boys and girls from the 1960s to the 1990s. At least 12 current or former employees were involved in the sexual abuse. 

Horace Mann students were aware of what was happening and would caution new arrivals about which adults to avoid, showing that a culture of secrecy kept victims from coming forward. One female teacher was widely known to be having sex with a male athlete, while a male coach would urge boys to swim naked in the pool for his own sexual satisfaction. 

Another school, The Ethical Culture Fieldston School in the Bronx, became the center of controversy when a 36-year-old woman filed claims against the school and her former varsity volleyball coach, Collin Henry. 

According to the victim, Henry began grooming her in November 2004, when he started driving her from the Bronx to Queens twice a week for club volleyball practices. During this one-on-one time, he would make inappropriate sexual comments before initiating sexual contact with her after she turned 17. Henry explicitly stated that he waited until his victim was of the age of consent before taking action. 

North Carolina

The Ben Lippen School in North Carolina was the subject of a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Rachel Howald, who was molested by Pamela Kaye Herrington while attending the boarding school. Herrington served as a “dorm parent” and coach, giving her unfettered access to Howald. 

During Howald’s junior year at the school, Herrington began to abuse her by fondling her breasts, grinding against her, and inserting fingers into her underwear. The abuse happened in school dormitories, in hotels during away games, and even at Howald’s family home during school movie nights. 

Howald suffered severe emotional trauma from the repeated sexual assaults, spending thousands on therapy and even contemplating suicide. A court awarded her $1.18 million in 2023. 

Rhode Island

St. George’s School was meant to be a place where young scholars could gain a world-class education. Instead, it became a nexus for multiple Rhode Island sexual abuse lawsuits, involving over 60 former students. Investigations determined that over 1 in 5 girls at St. George’s School between 1972 and 1979 were sexually abused by Al Gibbs, an athletic trainer. 

Multiple people complained to the headmaster, Anthony Zane, that Gibbs was sexually abusing students, but he refused to intervene. One student claimed that Zane told her the sexual abuse was all in her head. 

Shockingly enough, the school offered Al Gibbs a letter of recommendation and financial awards for his service until his death in 1996, despite multiple sexual abuse claims against him. Nearly 30 alumni entered a settlement agreement with the school in August 2016, meant to compensate them for the “private hell” created by staff members. 

West Virginia

Miracle Meadows, a Seventh Day Adventist boarding school for troubled youth, was at the center of multiple West Virginia sexual abuse lawsuits due to the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse perpetrated between 1987 and 2014, when it closed its doors for good.

In 2014, 19 children were removed from the facility after investigations uncovered that staff members were abusing students in various ways. One girl was forced to drink toilet bowl cleaner as punishment, while one boy was choked to the point of unconsciousness. 

Multiple boarding school sexual abuse lawsuits were filed against Miracle Meadows, one of which settled for $50 million in 2023. Allegations included shackling students as young as 6 years old, denying them toilet paper, and beating them. At least two students were sexually abused by staff and forced to get abortions. 

The widespread childhood sexual abuse claims also spurred lawmakers to propose legislation that would more closely regulate residential facilities. One Senate Bill was backed by heiress Paris Hilton, who alleged that she was abused in a private school. 

Native American Boarding Schools Nationwide

In 2011, the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus was ordered to pay $166 million in boarding school sexual abuse lawsuits. Over 450 Native American and Alaska Native students were sexually abused in residential programs throughout the Pacific Northwest, where priests accused of child sexual abuse would be dumped with minimal oversight.

The boarding school abuse extended as far back as the 1960s and exacerbated mental health issues for the vulnerable students, many of whom were forcibly removed from their homes to attend these boarding schools. The Jesuit order filed for bankruptcy to pay for the lawsuits, and some of the schools are now run by Native American tribal governments.

Unfortunately, some Native American students have never received justice for boarding school abuse extending back as far as 1819. The Federal Indian boarding school system included 408 schools across 37 states. Even identifying four North Carolina schools required years of exhaustive study. Students suffered child sexual abuse, exhaustive manual labor, disenfranchisement from their cultures, and physical punishments. 

How Common Is Sexual Abuse at Boarding Schools?

Boarding school sexual assault cases are tragically common due to the isolated and secretive nature of these facilities. Many are located in secluded areas, where staff members have extreme control over every aspect of a student’s life. 

However, it’s difficult to know how widespread sexual abuse is in boarding schools because there is no centralized database for accusations, and many educators are unlicensed. The facilities are not required to publicly acknowledge claims, even to concerned parents. Additionally, many victims refuse to come forward until years later due to the trauma and fear of repercussions. 

A Boston Globe report from 2016 found that over 67 boarding schools in New England alone were accused of abusing students since 1991, with over 200 victims coming forward to share their stories. When the Globe sent out surveys about sexual abuse to 224 private boarding schools, only 23 responded. 

Native American residential schools, which were in operation for over 150 years, were rampant with sexual abuse, with over 1,000 victims coming forward to share their stories. Though many of these schools closed in the 1970s and 1980s, the legacy of trauma continues, and it is not clear how many individuals were sexually abused in these facilities due to inadequate recordkeeping. 

Other boarding schools are part of the troubled teen industry, offering residential treatment and education to children with mental health issues. An estimated 50,000 children were housed in these facilities in 2020, often cut off from loved ones as part of their “treatment.” Some students are kidnapped from across state lines, making it even more difficult to monitor their well-being. 

What Laws Govern Boarding School Sexual Abuse Cases?

About 55% of boarding school students receive some form of public funding for their tuition. Any school that receives federal funding must comply with federal standards equal to those of public schools. 

Boarding schools that receive federal funding are required to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which bans sex-based discrimination (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq). Sex abuse by staff members or fellow students falls under sex-based discrimination and may result in the school’s federal funding being removed.

Additionally, Title IX requires schools to respond promptly to all sexual abuse cases, implement preventative measures, and report cases to the Department of Education. 

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) ties federal funding to safe educational environments, including the prevention of sexual abuse and misconduct. 

However, some schools do not receive any federal funding, which exempts them from certain federal guidelines. In these cases, it is state laws that determine protections against sex abuse, which vary significantly by state. These state laws govern aspects such as staff licensing, background checks, accreditation, and reporting requirements. 

Boarding school sexual abuse lawsuits have begun to change the legislative landscapes for these schools, potentially saving thousands of students from sexual abuse. For example, in West Virginia, Senate Bill 817 would add additional protections for students in residential schools and outdoor programs, requiring oversight and regulations against sexual abuse.

How Long After the Abuse Occurred Do Victims Have to Take Legal Action?

The statutes of limitations for sexual abuse in a boarding school vary significantly by state, and it also depends on whether the victim pursues a criminal or civil case. 

Most states have extended or even eliminated the criminal statute of limitations for child survivors of sexual abuse. In many jurisdictions, prosecution can be initiated until the child’s 40th birthday or longer, with additional extensions if there is DNA evidence.

In the civil realm, many states have enacted a “lookback window” for sexual abuse suits where the statute of limitations may have expired. Others have eliminated the civil statute of limitations, allowing survivors to take action for boarding school abuse even decades later.

For cases that happened decades prior, some states, like California, require the victim to submit a certificate of merit from sexual abuse lawyers and mental health practitioners, who can attest to whether they believe the case is valid. 

The laws also depend on whether the facility is public or private. While states often require a lengthy certification process for civil claims against governments, they have also exempted sexual abuse suits from these requirements. 

Cases against private boarding schools are not regulated by government claims restrictions and can proceed directly against the entity or individual.

Boarding school abuse victims can seek justice through lawsuits against multiple parties, including the individual perpetrator, other staff members, administrators, third-party contractors, and property owners. 

What Damages Can Be Recovered Through a Civil Lawsuit?

Boarding school sexual abuse has lifelong consequences for victims, including post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, health issues, and difficulties with interpersonal relationships. As such, a settlement can include a variety of damages meant to consider every facet of the abuse.

Potential damages that victims can receive include:

• Medical bills
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Therapy and mental health support
• Lost income
• Loss of future income
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of normal life
• Disability and disfigurement

A sex abuse payout will be determined by a variety of factors, including the following.

• Type of Abuse: A violent sexual assault will receive a higher payout than sexual harassment or fondling.
• Frequency and Duration of Abuse: Some individuals are abused over the course of weeks, months, or years. These victims will receive more than an individual who suffered only one sexual assault.
• Aggravating Factors: Assaults that involve violence, threats, or physical restraints are considered more serious and will receive more.
• Victim’s Age: A prepubescent victim will often receive more than a teenager because they were more defenseless.
• Available Evidence: Sexual assaults with DNA evidence, police reports, or eyewitness testimony are easier to prove. This means that there will be less time spent in negotiation, a higher chance of a faster settlement, and fewer legal fees deducted from the settlement.
• Liability: In most cases, a victim can sue more than one party, which increases the possible settlement. If it can be proven that the school knew about the sexual abuse but did nothing, their insurance will be forced to pay. 

How Our Boarding School Abuse Attorneys Can Help

These cases are often challenging because sexual abuse leaves lifelong trauma. Many survivors are afraid to come forward with their stories due to shame, stigma, or fear of repercussion. As such, they may only disclose the sexual abuse years later, when evidence may have been destroyed or key witnesses may have passed away.

The boarding school and its administrators will strenuously deny any abuse claims to avoid providing payment. They may blame the victim, claim they were unaware of what happened, assert that school records have disappeared in the intervening years, or claim that the statute of limitations has passed. This significantly impedes both investigation and negotiation. 

Additionally, the laws around sexual abuse have evolved significantly in recent years, leading to statutory challenges if the abuse took place decades prior. While some states allow victims to sue for abuse before laws changed, others have time-barred claims. 

Our trauma-informed attorneys are highly aware of both the sensitive nature of sexual abuse and the many legal challenges that survivors face when pursuing justice. As proud members of the American Association for Justice with a perfect 10/10 AVVO rating, we have helped hundreds of survivors secure fair settlements that will help them move forward with their lives.

We will thoroughly investigate your case, even if the boarding school closed years ago. Through this, we will uncover private communications between administrators and staff, identify key witnesses, and review records to identify contemporaneous complaints. 

Our sensitive approach to interviewing witnesses encourages them to share their story without fear of repercussion, and we protect their privacy throughout the process.

Injury Lawyer Team is a top-rated sexual abuse law firm for a reason: we aggressively negotiate for maximum compensation in every case. While many cases settle out of court, we prepare every claim as if it will go to trial, ensuring that survivors have the best possible chance of securing fair compensation. 

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we win. Our legal fees are deducted from your settlement so that you can focus on recovery, not financial constraints. 

FAQs

Can adult survivors of child sexual abuse take legal action?

In many cases, yes. Due to extended statutes of limitations on sexual assault, sexual abuse survivors may be able to make a claim even if decades have passed since the initial incident. However, the statute of limitations varies by state, making it essential that you work with an experienced attorney familiar with the laws. 

How much do boarding school sexual abuse lawyers cost?

Our school sexual abuse attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Our legal fees will be deducted from your settlement, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we earn you compensation. This ensures that individuals of all financial means can seek justice. 

Consult Our Boarding School Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Teachers who sexually abuse students, and the boarding schools that refuse to act, must be held accountable for the untold psychological damage that their actions cause. Our compassionate and highly experienced attorneys fight for victims nationwide, forcing boarding schools to acknowledge the severe trauma sexual abuse causes. We work on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we win.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about sexual abuse lawsuits and begin the first step on your healing journey. 

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.