NYC High School Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Peters Brovner is a boutique law firm that represents survivors of sexual abuse and assault, including victims of child sexual abuse. The firm has recovered millions of dollars in monetary compensation for survivors of sexual abuse and assault, including for abuse that occurred within the New York City public school system.
What is Considered Sexual Abuse?
There is a variety of conduct that is considered sexual abuse. There is a range of penalties for sexual assault and abuse, depending on the offense charged. There are numerous crimes, listed in Article 130 of the New York State Penal Code, which could be charged in these cases. These include, among other offenses:
- Rape, including Rape in the Second Degree, which is a Class D Felony and consists of “sexual intercourse with another person: (1) being eighteen years old or more, he or she engages in sexual intercourse with another person less than fifteen years old; or engaging in sexual intercourse with another person who is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally disabled or mentally incapacitated. See Penal Code 130.30.
Rape in the second degree is a class D felony.
- Sexual abuse in the first degree which is a Class D Felony and occurs when someone subjects another person to sexual contact: (1) By forcible compulsion; or (2) When the other person is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless; or (3) When the other person is less than eleven years old; or (4) When the other person is less than thirteen years old and the actor is twenty-one years old or older. See Penal Code S 130.65
- Forcible Touching, which is a class A misdemeanor and consists of, among other things, “when [a] person intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose…forcibly touches the sexual or other intimate parts of another person for the purpose of degrading or abusing such person or for the purpose of gratifying the actor’s sexual desire….” See Penal Code 130.52
The Child Victims Act
In February 2019, New York State passed a “lookback window,” the Child Victims Act (CVA), extending the statute of limitations for child victims of child sexual abuse in criminal and civil cases in New York.
Under the CVA, survivors could file claims against both private and public institutions as well as individuals, in order to hold sexual predators to account.
The CVA allowed survivors of sexual abuse to hold powerful institutions liable for abuse that those institutions had tolerated for years. It helped more than 10,000 victims bring sexual abuse cases and seek justice for the wrongs committed against them
Common Examples of Sexual Abuse in Schools
School sexual abuse cases can involve teachers, coaches, administrators, and others. In cases against educational institutions, the question is generally whether the school knew or should have known that the individual who committed the assault was a danger to children and was likely to commit these types of crimes.
Can an NYC Public School Be Sued For Abuse That Was Committed Outside of the School?
Yes. While it is easier to hold a school accountable for conduct that occurs on school grounds, there are situations where a school can be liable for assaults that occur off school grounds. The key in these cases is showing that the school knew or should have known that the employee who committed the abuse was a danger to students and that the school knew or should have known that the employee had access to students off-campus
Cases That Peters Brovner Has Handled
Peters Brovner has successfully represented multiple victims of sexual abuse in schools, recovering millions of dollars in awards.
Contact The Experienced Attorneys at Peters Brovner
The sexual abuse attorneys at the law offices of Peters Brovner LLP focus on holding City, State and private institutions accountable for actions that result in significant harm and personal injury, including failure to protect individuals from child sexual abuse. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual abuse or assault and you need legal advice, please reach out to the lawyers at Peters Brovner LLP for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.