Soccer League Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Approximately 3 million boys and girls play youth soccer in the United States, making it one of the most popular youth sports [1].

Major sports organizations, like the National Women’s Soccer League, sponsor youth sports programs nationwide, making soccer more accessible to children of all demographics. There can even be monetary rewards for playing; the US Soccer Development Fund has given over $4.2 million in financial aid to over 3,000 young players since 2008 [2].

Soccer’s widespread popularity and its many benefits can attract sexual predators who abuse young athletes, using fear and manipulation to perpetrate sex crimes. A school district or staff members may turn a blind eye to abusive coaches hiding in plain sight, failing to protect children, and allowing more kids to be abused.

Injury Lawyer Team is here to help children and families who have suffered abuse in youth sports, seeking financial compensation against youth sports leagues that don’t make addressing sexual abuse a priority.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team for Your Case

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are passionately committed to getting justice for athlete sexual abuse. With a proven track record of winning millions in damages for our clients, we have the experience and expertise to handle dozens of sexual abuse lawsuits across the country, ensuring that you have access to the best legal representation.

Experience in Abuse Litigation

We have won numerous cases against coaches, clubs, and major governing bodies of youth athletics. With our deep knowledge of relevant laws and statutes, we can apply case precedent to our negotiations, lending more credence to our demands for compensation.

Additionally, our attorneys have access to an extensive network of investigators, therapists, and expert witnesses who can attest to the lifelong damage caused by childhood molestation. We will meticulously scour all available records to develop a strong case while also relying on the experience of professionals in the field of sexual abuse advocacy.

Client-Centered Approach

In any sexual abuse case, our goal is to help survivors regain control of their lives and seek justice against those who have harmed them. Every member of our law firm will work to empower you and ensure you have the resources you need to heal.

We recognize that sexual abuse is incredibly difficult to discuss. As such, we will treat your case with the compassion you deserve, understanding the sensitive nature of these cases.

Our team will protect your privacy throughout the legal process and ensure confidentiality in all matters. We will handle communications on your behalf to protect you from further victimization while keeping you informed of all relevant aspects of your case so that you always feel in control.

Statistics of Sexually Abused Children in Youth Soccer

Studies of athlete sexual abuse in youth sports paint a dire picture. A survey of elite athletes found that 3.8% were sexually abused as children in a sports setting, with 61% reporting sexual abuse by adults such as a high school teacher or coach [5].

A 319-page dossier published in 2022 by The New York Times details dozens of examples of sexual assault, rape, molestation, and sexual abuse by coaches, encompassing 89,000 pages of documents and 200 interviews [6]. This report included details on Paul Riley, who owned one of America’s largest youth soccer franchises and who sexually abused at least two players.

Another youth sports leader, Rory Dames, created a sexualized environment in his youth soccer organization, the Eclipse, which included sexual harassment and frequent discussion of sex acts.

Both of these sexual predators had access to hundreds of children throughout their careers, and, unfortunately, it may be impossible to know how many young athletes were sexually abused under their tutelage.

In a study of childhood sexual abuse, 46% of the victims had never disclosed that they were sexually molested before the interview. Only 21.3% of survivors disclosed that they were sexually assaulted within one month of the abuse [7].

It is crucial to take sexual abuse in youth sports seriously, as victims can face lifelong challenges throughout their healing process. Sexual abuse can impact school performance significantly; in fact, 24% of abused girls in a study had to repeat a school grade [8].

Child molestation predisposes victims to future sexual abuse [9]. Additionally, a victim of childhood sexual assault may suffer a range of mental issues, including anxiety disorders and even psychosis [10].

Parents must be vigilant and watch for the warning signs of possible abuse at a soccer club, which can include overly close relationships with coaches and missing practices. Other signs include anxiety, sleep issues, depression, and poor school performance [11].

Legal Rights of Soccer Sexual Abuse Survivors

Injury Lawyer Team pursue monetary compensation for victims and their families through civil lawsuits, protecting your rights throughout the legal process. Our goal is to ensure that negligent individuals are held accountable for their failures to protect our clients and other victims.

Types of Claims

Sexual abuse cases may involve several types of claims, including the following:

• Sexual Assault and Battery – A civil lawsuit related to sexual abuse in youth sports is about acknowledging the financial and emotional burden caused by inappropriate sexual behavior. This claim will be levied against the perpetrator for causing harm.
• Negligence – Sports organizations are responsible for protecting the children under their care, including reporting any potential abuse to law enforcement agencies and restricting the predator’s access to potential victims. If they are aware that sexual abuse has happened and do nothing, this is classified as negligence. Negligence can also include not properly vetting coaches, ignoring warning signs, or not having adequate safeguarding policies in place. When negligence is proven, these organizations can be held accountable for allowing abuse.
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty – A breach of fiduciary duty occurs when individuals do not act in another person’s best interest, causing them harm. This can include adults who don’t intervene when a child informs them of inappropriate behavior, as well as staff members or coaches who directly cause harm. This type of claim addresses the violation of the special trust and confidence that athletes place in these individuals.

Statutes of Limitations

The sooner action is taken in a sexual abuse case, the better. Statutes of limitations vary across jurisdictions and may range from 1 year to 5 years.

However, there are exceptions to this, called the delayed discovery rule. This rule applies when victims were unaware of the sex abuse until years later, often because the trauma was repressed. Not every state has a delayed discovery rule, and others allow a claim to be made at any time, even decades after the sexual assault.

Damages Available

When seeking justice in a civil suit for sexual abuse, survivors may seek various types of compensation, known as damages, to address the harm they have suffered. This compensation can include both economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages can include things like medical bills, therapy expenses, and lost wages due to the impact of the abuse. Non-economic damages encompass intangible aspects like pain and suffering, distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

If the case proceeds to the courts, a judge may award punitive damages, which are penalties meant to punish the abuser and prevent further harm to victims. Punitive damages convey that such behavior will not be tolerated and help protect other potential victims.

Taking the First Step Towards Childhood Sexual Abuse Litigation

Your process of healing from athlete sexual abuse begins by reporting your experiences to law enforcement and the relevant organization when possible. After this, call us as soon as possible for a free consultation to discuss your experiences, and we will begin the civil litigation process.

Free and Confidential Consultation

When you speak with us for a consultation, you are not obligated to pursue a case. We are here to discuss your options, explore your legal rights, and identify the best way forward. Injury Lawyer Team works on a contingency basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we win your case. There is no cost and no pressure; we’re here to listen.

Legal Evaluation

Our legal evaluation will assess the strength of your case and discuss potential next steps. These steps include which organizations or individuals we feel we can take legal action against and what types of cases we can pursue. We will explain all your options and share our honest opinion about how much you may be able to obtain.

Emotional Support

Most importantly, we strive to provide every victim with a safe space to discuss what happened without judgment or blame. Our lawyers use a trauma-informed approach and will direct you to resources that can offer more support in your healing.

Our law firm understands that even if it’s been years since you were assaulted, the emotional wounds can still be fresh, and we will prioritize your well-being throughout the entire process.

Contact a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Who Cares!

To schedule a free case review, call us 24/7 at 866-757-6452 or contact us online.

Specific Cases We Handle

• Southern Baptist Church
• Statute of Limitations on Sex Abuse Lawsuits
• The Lord’s Ranch Sexual Abuse
• Thomas Waxter Detention Center
• YMCA Sex Abuse

Resources: [1] Vice Create Future, [2] U.S. Soccer, [3] NBC-4, [4] U.S. Government Accountability Office, [5] Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, [6] The New York Times, [7] Psychology Today, [8] CASA of Sangamon County, [9] Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse, [10] SN Social Sciences, [11] Moms Team