Boys Girls Club Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is a national organization with over 5,000 local chapters that offer after-school programs to 3.6 million children ages 6-18. Unfortunately, sexual predators—including staff members and volunteers—may hide in plain sight, perpetrating child sex abuse from their position of trust and authority. An experienced Boys Girls Club sexual abuse lawyer can help you get justice.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America serves over four million children annually, with a staff of around 65,000 and 4,600 local affiliates nationwide. Many children involved are classified as vulnerable or at-risk.

If a mentor has sexually abused you or your child in one of these programs, Injury Lawyer Team can assist in opening a civil suit for monetary compensation. Sexual assault allegations have been made against both staff members and volunteers.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

At Injury Lawyer Team, we have handled hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits in the Boys & Girls Club of America and other youth organizations, helping families seek justice against those who harm children.

• Personalized and Compassionate Representation – We understand that child sex abuse at the Boys and Girls Club can lead to lifelong issues for victims and their loved ones. Our primary goal is to protect children, and we provide compassionate, trauma-informed guidance through the legal process. It is essential to choose a lawyer who prioritizes the survivor’s mental and emotional well-being.
• Comprehensive Legal Support – We’ll assist with every aspect of your Boys and Girls Club sexual assault lawsuit, from interviewing witnesses at Boys & Girls Clubs of America to negotiating with the organization. An experienced attorney can guide victims through the legal process, offering personalized support and ensuring their needs are addressed during this challenging time.
• Client-Centered Approach – We understand that civil lawsuits involving the Boys and Girls Club can be disorienting and confusing. Our team will answer all your questions promptly and keep you up to date on all aspects of your case.
• Support Beyond Legal Representation – Our firm maintains relationships with counseling services and advocacy groups, such as RAINN, to support survivors beyond the courtroom.
• No Fees Unless We Win – Injury Lawyer Team works on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win your case against Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Most reputable sexual assault lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.

What is Boys and Girls Club Child Sexual Abuse?

Child sexual abuse is defined as any act that includes sexual activity with a minor, even if it is non-physical. This can consist of touching, like sexual assault, or it can involve inappropriate conversations with young people about sexual topics. 

Allegations have included grooming, inappropriate touching, sexual harassment, indecent exposure, attempted rape, child sexual abuse material, and pornographic material as forms of abuse committed by staff or volunteers. Other types of abuse may include: 

• Sexual harassment from staff
• Sexual harassment from other kids 
• Inappropriate touching
• Indecent exposure by children or staff members

Any time that adults have access to children, there is a possibility of sexual assault cases, even with stringent safety measures. Boys & Girls Clubs of America states that it conducts comprehensive background checks, works with third-party sexual assault experts, and requires mentors to complete mandatory safety training. 

All Boys and Girls Clubs of America must follow the national safety protocols, including conducting mandatory background checks of all staff and volunteers who interact with children. Since 2014, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has mandated that local chapters report sexual abuse allegations to the national organization.

However, this still has not been enough to prevent sexual acts from occurring with children at Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

In one notable example from New Hampshire, a 14-year-old child was sexually abused by a 27-year-old mentor at her local chapter. The woman, now an adult, stated that the abuse often happened with others present and that the organization ignored numerous red flags.

When it comes to abuse, boys are also vulnerable. In New York State, a man was accused of sexually abusing 16 boys over a period of 40 years from his position of trust as a Boys & Girls Club mentor.

A recent expose by Hearst Connecticut compiled over 200 cases of sexual assault at Boys & Girls Clubs of America locations across the United States, spanning 70 years of the organization’s history.

Sexual assault is especially difficult, as it represents a grievous violation of trust from an authority figure meant to protect and support children. These cases can leave young people with lifelong trust issues and mental health problems.

The organization has a legal duty to launch an internal investigation upon receiving a report of sexual assault.

What Legal Rights Do Childhood Sexual Assault Victims Have?

When those affiliated with this organization sexually abuse minors, the victims and their families have the right to report the abuse and seek financial compensation. Victims of the Boys and Girls Club can pursue justice through civil lawsuits against the organization and its perpetrators, as well as, in some cases, criminal charges. 

At least six civil lawsuits have alleged that reports of sexual abuse were ignored or covered up by Boys and Girls Clubs of America staff. A six-month investigation revealed that 250 people across 30 states alleged sexual abuse while participating in Boys and Girls Clubs programs. 

These cases often require more than just suing an individual abuser; they involve holding the organization accountable for failing to protect its members. Boys and Girls Clubs of America has a legal duty to launch an internal investigation upon receiving a report of sexual abuse. 

Boys and Girls Club survivors may be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and medical expenses through civil suits. 

Ask your experienced attorney about their experience investigating organizational failures, including inadequate background checks and insufficient supervision. A specialized lawyer should know how to uncover internal records or communications that might indicate an organization attempted to hide reports of abuse.

Additionally, under the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016, local law enforcement must keep sexual assault examination kits for at least 20 years, and individuals cannot be charged for forensic examinations related to sexual abuse.

Our team will assist you in seeking justice in civil court for negligence, ensuring you have the best chance at recovering compensation, while also advising you about potential legal fees involved in pursuing legal action.

Who is Liable in Boys & Girls Club Child Sexual Abuse Cases?

Liability for sexual abuse may be shared among multiple parties, including the following:

• Perpetrator – Whether the abuser is a volunteer or staff member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, they are held liable for their inappropriate actions towards a child under their care.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America – The organization itself may be liable if it can be shown that it did not uphold its duty of care in vetting or maintaining an abusive volunteer or staff member. This can be established by reviewing Boys and Girls Club background checks, conducting interviews, and obtaining internal communications to determine whether they were aware of the abuse.

The organization is usually responsible for conducting proper background checks on everyone from a music teacher to a mentor. They are also responsible for ensuring everyone’s safety. For example, they should never ignore your allegations. Instead, child safety should always take precedence. 

They may be responsible if they failed to take proper child-safety measures, such as allowing the alleged perpetrators to be around the child. A civil suit can help you pay for legal fees and pursue justice. 

What are the Signs and Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse?

Abuse can wreak havoc on a child’s emotions and overall development, including socially, academically, and even physically. Signs and impacts of childhood sexual abuse include:

• Inappropriate knowledge of sexual topics
• Keeping secrets
• Becoming quiet, shy, or withdrawn
• Not wanting to be left alone with certain people
• Regressive behaviors like thumbsucking or bedwetting
• Changes in eating habits
• Changes in mood or behavior
• Low self-esteem or confidence
• Self-harming behavior
• Nightmares
• Unexplained physical symptoms like headaches and stomach aches 

What Should You Do If You or Your Child Has Been Sexually Abused at Boys & Girls Clubs of America?

Boys and Girls Club sex abuse must be treated seriously and immediately to reduce the long-term effects of such a damaging event. Follow these steps as soon as possible:

• Seek Medical Attention – To preserve evidence and prove you experienced sexual abuse, go to the hospital and request a forensic exam from a trained nurse examiner.
• Report Allegations to the Authorities – Contact the local police department to report the Boys and Girls Club abuse. Generally, they will have specially trained detectives who can interview children in a developmentally appropriate manner.
• Contact the Boys & Girls Clubs Chapter. Reporting that you experienced sexual abuse can help ensure the organization takes appropriate steps to protect other Boys & Girls Club participants. Provide details about who was involved, when it happened, and whether any witnesses were present.
• Collect Evidence – Gather any evidence of sexual acts, including text messages or other written evidence. Obtain contact information for anyone who may have witnessed or heard about the event so that we can interview them for further details.
• Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer – At Injury Lawyer Team, we’ll review the information available and contact any relevant parties on your behalf so you can focus on caring for your loved ones.

Boys and Girls Club employees have become known for having looser background checks, making this an organization that can be rife with sexual predators. A law firm can help you fight if you’ve experienced sexual abuse, sexual harassment, attempted rape, or if someone exposed vulnerable children to pornographic material. 

How Can a Sexual Abuse Attorney Help?

Not every law firm will be familiar with the intricacies of Boys and Girls Club cases, making it crucial that you seek an experienced attorney with a track record of success. Ask your attorney about their experience investigating organizational failures, such as inadequate background checks and a lack of supervision. 

A child sexual abuse lawyer from our firm will guide you through the entire process of seeking justice against BGCA, including the following:

• Evaluating the case for potential damages
• Interviewing potential witnesses
• Gathering evidence
• Consulting with experts in sex abuse cases
• Filing paperwork
• Negotiating with BGCA and its representatives
• Representing your family at trial if necessary.

What Damages Can Victims Recover in a Boys & Girls Club Sexual Abuse Claim?

Compensation in a Boys and Girls Club civil lawsuit for sex abuse is meant to assist you and your loved ones in healing and rebuilding your lives. These damages may include:

• Medical bills
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Parents’ time off work
• Therapy and counseling
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Inconvenience
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In some cases, you may also receive punitive damages from the court, which are meant to punish the perpetrator for especially egregious negligence.

What Laws Govern Boys and Girls Club Sex Abuse Cases?

Sex abuse situations involving Boys and Girls Club programs are governed primarily by state civil law, with additional duties imposed on youth-serving organizations that place adults in positions of authority over minors. These lawsuits focus on civil liability, including whether the organization failed to properly supervise, screen, or protect children from abuse by staff, volunteers, or mentors.

State Civil Laws Governing Youth Organization Sex Abuse

Civil lawsuits involving Boys and Girls Club abuse are commonly brought under state law claims, such as:

• Sexual assault or abuse
• Negligence
• Negligent hiring, supervision, or retention
• Failure to protect minors
• Premises liability

Youth organizations owe a heightened duty of care to children because minors are legally incapable of protecting themselves and are placed under adult supervision. Courts often scrutinize whether warning signs were ignored, background checks were inadequate, or complaints were mishandled.

Statute of Limitations in Selected States

Statutes of limitations vary widely and often depend on whether the survivor was a minor. For example:

• Texas: Texas allows civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse allegations up to 30 years after the survivor turns 18 under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.0045.
• Colorado: Colorado permits civil child sexual abuse lawsuits up to age 53, or within six years of discovering the abuse and its impact, under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-103.7.
• Ohio: Ohio allows survivors of childhood sexual assault to file civil claims until age 30 under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.111.
• Washington: Washington has eliminated the statute of limitations for civil claims involving childhood sexual abuse under Revised Code of Washington § 4.16.340.

Age of Consent and Authority Figure Exceptions

While age of consent laws vary by state, consent is often legally invalid when abuse involves an authority figure, such as a mentor, coach, or youth program staff member.

• In Texas, the age of consent is 17. However, sexual contact between a minor and an employee or volunteer at a youth organization can still give rise to civil liability due to coercion and abuse of trust.
• In Colorado, the age of consent is 17, but the law recognizes that consent may be invalid where an adult is in a position of trust, including youth leaders and mentors.
• In Washington, the age of consent is 16, yet sexual contact by an adult in a significant relationship or supervisory role can still support civil claims.

Civil courts routinely recognize that children participating in Boys and Girls Club programs may be unable to meaningfully consent to sexual conduct with adults who exercise authority, supervision, or influence over them.

Institutional Liability and Oversight

Boys and Girls Clubs of America sexual abuse lawsuits often focus on organizational responsibility, including whether leadership failed to enforce safety policies, conduct proper screening, or respond to reports of misconduct. National and local chapters may face civil liability, depending on their governance structures and oversight responsibilities.

Contact Us For a Free Consultation

Injury Lawyer Team works hard to protect innocent youths and their loved ones from the damaging effects of abuse in after-school organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs of America. We have recovered millions in damages for our clients on a contingency-fee basis so that everyone can access top-notch legal expertise.

To schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options, or call us 24/7 at 866-757-6452

Specific Cases We Handle

• Clergy Abuse
• College Campus
• Cruise Ship
• Doctor Sexual Assault
• Dr. Anderson: University of Michigan

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.