The Boys and Girls Clubs of America are supposed to provide programs and services to promote the development of boys and girls throughout the country, particularly those in low-income areas. These clubs serve millions of children each year in this country. Unfortunately, like many other institutions of trust in the United States, children have been sexually abused by Boys and Girls Club employees.
At Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to get to work investigating your case. If you or a loved one have been sexually abused while participating in Boys and Girls Clubs events, contact us for a free consultation of your case so we can get to work securing the compensation you deserve.
How Does Boys and Girls Club Sexual Abuse Happen?
There are more than 4,000 Boys and Girls Clubs in the United States, and each of them is basically allowed to govern themselves. This can be dangerous for our youth, particularly if a sexual predator is looming within an individual organization. Reporting of sexual abuse allegations within these clubs is not highly centralized, leaving many allegations uninvestigated.
The Boys and Girls Clubs provide many opportunities for adult leaders to sexually abuse the children under their care. In many cases, the youth within these organizations come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and single-family homes. Their guardians turn to the Boys and Girls Clubs for help, but this also gives adult leaders long periods of time to groom children into sexual activities. These clubs sponsor many overnight events and the children are often with adult club leaders for long periods of time with no parents or guardians present.
AB 218 Is a New Law That Can Help
AB 218 took effect on January 1, 2020, and allows victims of childhood sexual abuse to file a lawsuit until they are 40 years old or up to five years after they discover the adult psychological injury caused by the abuse. This law significantly increases the time frame previously allowed in California. AB 218 also established a three-year window for those previously barred from filing claims due to time constraints to do so.
How Will an Attorney Help This Case?
Sexual abuse cases against the Boys and Girls Clubs can be incredibly difficult to file successfully. A skilled sexual abuse attorney will have the resources and experience necessary to go up against these large organizations. Your attorney will:
- Investigate every aspect of your case and work to discover if there was a cover-up of the abuse that occurred.
- Handle negotiations with all parties involved, including legal teams and insurers, in an effort to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Prepare to take your case to trial if the defendants do not offer a fair settlement.
Let Us Help Secure the Compensation You Deserve
If you or somebody you love has been sexually abused while participating in Boys and Girls Club events, contact an attorney as soon as possible. At Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, we are dedicated to helping victims of childhood sexual assault secure the compensation they need, including coverage for pain and suffering, any necessary counseling, as well as punitive damages against the perpetrators of the sexual abuse. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case.