San Francisco, CA Coach Sexual Assault Lawyer

Being involved in athletics and sports from a young age can be invaluable in building confidence, teaching resilience and discipline, and fostering community. In many cases, coaches play a huge role in our own lives and the lives of our children by providing encouragement, support, and trust. Unfortunately, however, the very nature of sports can provide an opportunity for coaches to take advantage of their authority to sexually abuse or assault their athletes. Many times, there is a lack of supervision, opportunities to travel alone with athletes, and an imbalance of power which can lead to devastating misconduct on the part of the coach. When a coach engages in the unthinkable and commits sexual assault or abuse of an athlete, it can have devastating consequences. Our San Francisco, CA coach sexual assault lawyer at Kellogg & Van Aken LLP can help you learn about your legal options and discuss what recourse you may have against the coach and the institution that may have enabled them. 

What is Coach Sexual Abuse or Coach Sexual Assault?

Coach sexual assault is when a coach takes advantage of his or her position of power and authority to engage in sexual misconduct against a player or participant. While coach sexual abuse can often be used interchangeably with sexual assault, sexual abuse tends to refer to multiple instances of sexual assault of a victim over a period of time. It can involve sexual comments or jokes, sexual grooming, and sexual touching without consent. It can occur at any level, including youth sports, high school sports, collegiate sports, and even professional or Olympic-level athletics. It can occur in schools, locker rooms, offices, gymnasiums, fields, buses, vehicles, or homes, and it can occur during practices, travel, tournaments, or school hours. It impacts both men and women and children and adults. 

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Coach Sexual Abuse?

Sports organizations or schools have a duty to protect their athletes and their students, and all too often, they fail to do so. At times, schools fail to conduct adequate background checks, they give coaches unquestioned power and authority, they leave them unsupervised, or they fail to provide adequate sexual assault and sexual misconduct training to the coaches, their colleagues, or their superiors which allows for the abuse to occur. If the sports organization or school was negligent in the hiring, retention, or supervision of their coaches, or if they knew or should have known about the propensity to engage in sexual abuse or sexual assault, then the institution can be held responsible for their role in allowing the abuse to occur. 

Learn About Your Rights as a Coach Sexual Abuse Survivor in California

After you have been abused or assaulted by a coach, or if your child has come to you with such information, it can be difficult to know what rights you may have or what you should do next. Many survivors of coach sexual assault or parents of survivors can feel nervous about coming forward, especially if there is fear that it will eliminate athletic opportunities or alienate them from their peers. These feelings are completely understandable. But coming forward can be a pivotal step toward healing while also holding coaches and the institutions that protect them accountable for the significant harm they have caused. 

The attorneys at Kellogg & Van Aken LLP are experienced in navigating the sensitive nature of coach sexual assault cases, and we offer a supportive and safe environment where you can share your story and understand all of your options in pursuing justice against your perpetrators. We offer confidential consultations with an experienced San Francisco coach sexual assault lawyer where we can explain the legal process, discuss the particular facts and circumstances of your case, and explore opportunities to pursue compensation for your harm. 

Dealing With the Aftermath of Coach Sexual Assault

Our San Francisco, CA coach sexual assault lawyers recognize that experiencing a coach sexual assault or coach sexual abuse can be incredibly traumatic and distressing. We are committed to helping survivors understand their rights and take the necessary steps to seek justice and support. Here are some steps you may take in the aftermath of a coach sexual assault: 

Prioritize Your Safety and Well-being

Your safety and well-being are of paramount importance. If you are in immediate danger or require medical attention, please seek help right away. You can call 9-1-1 or visit a healthcare facility for care and assistance. Your physical and emotional health should be the top priority. 

Seek Medical Attention and Counseling

Even if you do not have visible physical injuries, it is important to seek medical attention from a healthcare provider following a sexual assault. The healthcare provider will examine you and assess your physical and emotional well-being and provide necessary treatment and referrals to ensure that you are safe and well. Consider speaking with a therapist or mental health professional who specializes in sexual trauma to help you cope with the aftermath of the coach sexual assault. 

Preserve All Evidence and Document the Incident

Preserving evidence is an important step in any potential legal action. Keep any physical evidence such as clothing, written correspondence, gifts given by the perpetrator, or other personal items, intact. If you have access to digital and electronic communications such as text messages, emails, or social media messages, ensure that you screenshot them or save them to another device so that they do not get deleted. You may also consider documenting the details of the assault while they are fresh in your memory, although doing so may be triggering or re-traumatizing, so ensure that you take care in doing so or seek the help of a mental health professional. 

Report the Coach Sexual Assault to Law Enforcement

After a coach sexual assault, you have the option of reporting the incident to law enforcement. You can report the assault over the phone or in person at your local police station. After you report the assault to law enforcement, they will undergo an investigation. They may also provide resources and information to you, and they will explain the next steps in the process. They can also be a source of information and resources in the aftermath of a sexual assault. Although reporting a sexual assault to the police is an option, it is not mandatory. You have the right to decide whether or not to report the sexual assault, and you should do what feels the most comfortable for you. 

Connect With Supportive Resources

Sexual assault is an incredibly traumatic and jarring experience. It can leave survivors feeling depressed, isolated, humiliated, shameful, and anxious. Reaching out and connecting with advocacy organizations and support groups can be invaluable to survivors, both to provide support and resources and also to let survivors know they are not alone. 

Understand Your Rights as a Coach Sexual Assault Victim

Survivors of coach sexual assault have legal rights and remedies in California. Understanding your rights can empower you to make informed decisions about pursuing legal action. A coach sexual abuse attorney can explain your legal rights and options, including potential claims available to you, time limits to bring certain claims, and the ability to seek compensation for damages, such as medical expenses and pain and suffering. 

Contact a Legal Advocate

If you are considering pursuing legal action against the coach or sports organization who harmed you, then consulting with an experienced San Francisco coach sexual assault lawyer is an important step in the journey toward justice. At Kellogg & Van Aken LLP, we have the experience and compassion to support survivors of coach sexual assault in California. Our attorneys can help you understand your legal options and guide you through the process of holding your wrongdoers accountable. 

Our Commitment to Survivors

Our legal team at Kellogg & Van Aken LLP understands the sensitive nature of coach sexual assault cases, and we are committed to advocating for the rights of survivors to pursue justice. If you or a loved one have been a victim of coach sexual assault, contact one of our San Francisco sexual assault lawyers for a confidential consultation to discuss your legal options. We provide passionate advocacy and compassionate support.