Washington School Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation for Victims of Sexual Abuse in Washington Schools

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are committed to standing with survivors in Washington school sexual abuse lawsuits. When students are harmed by teachers, coaches, or other school staff, the impact is profound. Our firm pursues sexual abuse lawsuits against schools across Washington State to hold districts accountable and secure justice for victims.

Through civil claims, survivors may recover financial compensation for medical care, counseling, lost opportunities, and the lifelong harm caused by abuse. We fight to ensure that victims and their families receive the support and resources they need while holding school districts responsible for failing to protect children.

Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse Against Schools in Washington

Washington has seen a deeply troubling history of child sexual harassment cases involving public and private high schools, with lawsuits filed against multiple school districts statewide.

Survivors, parents, and families have stepped forward to expose how educators, coaches, and other school employees betrayed trust and sexually abused vulnerable students. These sexual abuse claims have led to both criminal proceedings against individual offenders and multimillion-dollar civil lawsuits against school districts that failed to take reasonable steps to prevent abuse.

The following examples highlight how widespread these issues have been and how victims and their families have pursued justice through sexual abuse lawsuits against schools in Washington State.

Olympia School District — Capital High School and Transportation Department

The Olympia School District has faced some of the most serious sexual abuse case headlines in recent years. At Capital High School, teacher and debate coach Jonathan J. Moore was arrested in 2023 after allegations that he groomed and sexually abused a student who was under 18.

He later pleaded guilty to third-degree assault in 2025 as part of a deal that avoided prison time. Families and students were outraged that the abuse occurred despite warning signs, and the case remains a painful reminder of how easily trust can be broken inside a high school.

In a separate case, the district agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a civil lawsuit involving two minors sexually abused by former bus driver Gary Shafer. The alleged abuse dated back to the early 2000s, but the litigation culminated in 2022 after the Washington Supreme Court ruled that school districts could be liable under state law when their employees engage in sexual misconduct.

This case reshaped how high school sexual abuse lawsuits are litigated in Washington, making clear that districts cannot ignore systemic risks.

King County — Garfield High School

In King County, one of the most disturbing cases arose at Garfield High School. A former basketball standout filed a sexual abuse lawsuit alleging that two coaches groomed and sexually abused her over a period of years, beginning when she was just 13. In October 2024, Seattle Public Schools agreed to pay $16 million to settle the lawsuit, the largest such payout in district history.

This was not the first time Seattle schools were accused of failing to protect female students. In 2022, the district paid $3 million to settle another sexual abuse case involving a different coach. These repeated failures illustrate how schools that ignore warning signs or fail to monitor staff closely can be liable in both criminal and civil lawsuits.

Kent School District — Kentwood and Kentlake High Schools

The Kent School District has also faced repeated sexual abuse lawsuits and criminal proceedings involving its high schools. At Kentwood High School, teacher Steve Bilvais pleaded guilty in 2025 to communicating with a minor for immoral purposes after being accused of a sexual relationship with a student between 2017 and 2019.

At Kentlake High School, science teacher Jesse Webb pleaded guilty in February 2025 to similar charges of sexual contact with a student. Another teacher, Barbara Jeanne Anderson, was previously convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a minor in 2011 and served jail time. In 2022, parents of a fourth-grade student filed a $500,000 civil claim after a substitute teacher allegedly sexually abused their child.

These Kent School District sexual abuse lawsuits show how abuse can occur across grade levels, from elementary school through high school, and why civil litigation is critical to holding districts accountable when they fail to take precautionary steps to prevent or respond to misconduct.

Spokane County — Central Valley School District

In eastern Washington State, the Central Valley School District has faced multiple sexual abuse lawsuits involving its high schools. In 2016, survivor Emily Keenan received a $2.5 million settlement after filing a civil lawsuit alleging her teacher raped her when she was in sixth grade. 

In January 2024, the district paid $2.05 million to settle another child sexual harassment lawsuit involving a high school teacher. That same year, former Central Valley High School teacher McKenna Kindred pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual harassment and was required to register as a sex offender.

These cases underscore the devastating consequences when school employees exploit their positions of authority and the lasting harm endured by students who are sexually abused.

Mercer Island High School — Repeat Allegations

Mercer Island High School, located in King County, came under fire in 2025 after investigative reporters revealed that a teacher faced sexual harassment allegations on two separate occasions. The district’s handling of those complaints raised serious questions about whether administrators failed to protect students by allowing a teacher accused of inappropriate relationships with minors to continue teaching.

While the outcome of any lawsuits is ongoing, the case demonstrates how important it is for school districts to respond quickly and transparently when allegations arise.

Seattle Preparatory School — Private High School

Private high schools in Washington have faced sexual abuse claims as well. In 2024, Seattle Preparatory School agreed to a $2.425 million settlement after allegations that longtime teacher and athletic director Jeff Pietz sexually abused a student. The settlement shows that private schools, like public ones, can be liable for sexual abuse cases when they fail to protect children from harm.

Who Can Be Held Liable in School Sexual Abuse Lawsuits?

Survivors and their families can bring lawsuits against multiple responsible parties when abuse occurs in a school setting. Based on recent cases in Olympia, King County, Kent, and Spokane, liability may extend to:

• Individual offenders – teachers, coaches, bus drivers, and other staff who sexually abused students (e.g., Jonathan J. Moore at Capital High School; Gary Shafer, former Olympia bus driver; Jesse Webb at Kentlake High).
• School districts – for failing to take reasonable steps to prevent or respond to abuse (Olympia School District, Seattle Public Schools, Kent School District, Central Valley School District).
• Administrators and principals – when they ignored warning signs, failed to act on complaints, or allowed abusive staff to continue working with students.
• Private schools and their boards – such as Seattle Preparatory School, which paid over $2.4 million after allegations against a longtime teacher and athletic director.
• Third-party contractors – when abuse is committed by staff working in after-school programs, transportation, or other contracted services (e.g., Tahoma’s Extended Enrichment Program).

What Laws Govern School Sexual Misconduct in Washington State?

Several key laws shape how sexual abuse cases in schools are handled in Washington State. Under RCW 9A.44, the criminal code defines offenses such as rape, child molestation, indecent liberties, and sexual misconduct with a minor. These provisions apply directly to situations where school staff exploit their authority over students, and convictions often strengthen related lawsuits.

RCW 26.44 establishes definitions of child abuse and neglect and creates mandatory reporting duties for educators, administrators, and other professionals. When schools fail to report or respond to suspected sexual abuse, both the individuals and the school district may be liable.

On the federal level, Title IX (20 U.S.C. §1681; 34 CFR Part 106) prohibits sex discrimination in any school receiving federal funds. Title IX requires schools to respond promptly and effectively to allegations of sexual harassment or risk losing federal funding.

Together, these state and federal laws form the foundation of both criminal proceedings and civil claims, ensuring that survivors of child sexual assault in educational settings have multiple legal avenues to pursue accountability and financial compensation.

What Damages Can Victims Recover in Civil Lawsuits?

Through civil litigation, survivors of child sexual harassment in schools may pursue fair compensation for a wide range of losses, including:

• Medical expenses – hospital care, doctor visits, and treatment for physical injuries.
• Therapy and counseling costs – long-term psychological support, trauma therapy, and recovery programs.
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity – when the abuse disrupts education or limits future career opportunities.
• Pain and suffering – recognition of the deep emotional trauma and long-lasting mental health effects.
• Loss of quality of life – covering how the abuse affects relationships, family life, and daily functioning.
• Punitive damages – in cases where a school district or school employees acted with reckless disregard or ignored repeated warnings.

By filing a civil claim, survivors and their families gain access to the resources they need to rebuild and ensure that schools and districts are liable for failing to protect students.

How Does the New Law (House Bill 1618) Change the Statute of Limitations?

In 2024, Washington lawmakers passed House Bill 1618, which made a major change to the way civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse are handled. For abuse that occurred on or after June 6, 2024, the statute of limitations for filing a civil claim has been completely removed. This means survivors of more recent abuse no longer face a time limit when seeking compensation and accountability through the courts.

For cases where abuse happened before that date, older statutes of limitations may still apply, often giving survivors three years from the time of discovery to bring a civil lawsuit. But for minors harmed under the new law, the door to justice remains open indefinitely, allowing families to focus on healing first and pursue legal action when they are ready.

This reform reflects the recognition that survivors often need years before they can speak out about the trauma caused by teachers, high school staff, or others in positions of trust. By removing legal deadlines, Washington has joined a growing movement to expand justice for survivors and ensure that school districts and institutions can still be held liable even decades after the abuse.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, we know how overwhelming it can feel for a young victim to come forth and file sexual abuse lawsuits involving a school district or high school employees. These cases are complex, often involving both civil claims and potential criminal lawsuits, and survivors deserve a compassionate advocate who can guide them through every step.

Our services include:

• Investigating the abuse and uncovering evidence of negligence by educators, administrators, or school districts.
• Filing lawsuits to pursue full and fair compensation for medical care, therapy, lost opportunities, and pain and suffering.
• Holding schools accountable when they fail to take precautionary steps to prevent or respond to misconduct.
• Protecting survivors’ privacy while navigating sensitive matters in both civil and criminal court systems.
• Providing clear communication so every person always understands their rights, options, and progress in the case.

Book a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been harmed, we invite you to contact our firm to discuss your options. We handle all sexual abuse lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front and owe us nothing unless we win compensation for you.

Your consultation is 100% free and completely confidential. Talking to our team is a safe, no-obligation step toward healing. Reach out today to learn how we can help you and your family move forward.

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.