Public School Sexual Abuse Statistics

Schools are responsible for providing environments safe from abuse. However, sexual abuse in public schools mimics abuse and assault statistics in other major U.S. institutions.

The institutional sexual assault lawyers at Levin Simes advocate for sexual abuse survivors nationwide. We provide support for survivors seeking justice through civil action. Schedule a free case review online or call (415) 426-3000 to discuss your claim.

Sexual abuse can be physical, verbal, or visual. And children are particularly vulnerable to these coercive and manipulative tactics. We work diligently to protect your child's privacy while fighting for their pain and suffering.

Spotting the Signs of Sexual Abuse in Public School Children

Sexual abuse of a child in a school setting can be difficult to detect. Many may feel threatened, ashamed, or confused about their experience. However, there are several warning signs that parents, guardians, and teachers should watch for. Recognizing these signs early can protect a child and address the abuse. Here are some indicators of potential abuse:

• Behavioral Changes: Look for significant shifts in a child's behavior. A once outgoing child may become withdrawn, anxious, or exhibit extreme mood swings. Sudden aggression or fear of certain people or places can also be red flags.
• Regressive Behaviors: Reverting to earlier developmental stages, such as bedwetting, thumb-sucking, or separation anxiety, can be a response to trauma. These behaviors might indicate distress stemming from abuse.
• Fear of Going to School: A child who suddenly becomes fearful or anxious about attending school, especially if they previously enjoyed it, could signal that something is wrong. Reluctance to engage in activities involving a specific teacher or staff member is particularly concerning.
• Physical Symptoms: Unexplained bruises, soreness, or complaints of pain, especially in private areas, are serious warning signs. Additionally, a child might show discomfort when sitting or walking.
• Changes in Academic Performance: A sudden drop in grades or loss of interest in schoolwork can indicate emotional distress. Children experiencing abuse may have trouble focusing, staying engaged, or completing assignments.
• Inappropriate Sexual Knowledge or Behavior: Children may display knowledge of sexual behavior that is inappropriate for their age or begin engaging in sexually explicit actions. This could be a direct result of abuse.

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to engage the child in a supportive, nonjudgmental conversation and seek professional help.

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Public School Sexual Abuse Statistics

Recent reports on public school sexual abuse statistics show an increase in sexual violence toward K-12 students. A recent report by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) notes that allegations of sexual violence have tripled. According to their key findings taken from 97,632 schools:

• Reports document 684 reported instances of rape or attempted rape.
• Compared to the previous year, there was a 43% increase in sexual violence reports and a 74% increase in incidents of rape or attempted rape.
• Teachers accused are passed between an average of three school districts before intervention.
• Teachers accused of sexual abuse and moved between school districts may abuse as many as 73 students.  
• Reporting is often inaccurate and incomplete, making it difficult to screen teachers properly.
• Incidents of reporting co-worker sexual abuse of a student occur only 5% of the time by fellow employees who know of the incident.

These statistics are horrifying. Sexual abuse can lead to a lifetime of struggle to overcome mistrust caused by teachers, administrators, and school staff.

Our lawyers are dedicated to uncovering policies and procedures that allow these incidents to continue.

The Levin Simes team is here for you. Our firm offers nationwide advocacy. Call (415) 426-3000 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.

How Many Students Are Sexually Assaulted By Teachers Each Year?

What percentage of teachers abuse students? The sexual abuse in public schools statistics shown above document 13,799 alleged incidents of sexual violence. However, educator misconduct and sexual abuse in public school statistics may often go unreported. Because of this, new acts to remove filing deadlines have been implemented.

This allows students to seek accountability in the time frame they need to heal. Data from 6,632 recent U.S. high school graduates sheds light on the number of students reporting educator misconduct in school:

• Some form of sexual misconduct by a teacher was reported by 11.7% of surveyed students.
• Sexual comments account for 11% of reporting.
• Sending sexual pictures, photos, or sexual messages accounts for 0.6% of incidents.
• Touching a student sexually accounts for 0.9% of teacher actions.
• Incidents of sexual intercourse or oral sex account for 0.4% of misconduct.  
• Female students account for 72% of students experiencing misconduct.

Sexual abuse in public schools statistics show that harassment accounts for much of the inappropriate experiences endured by students. Incidents of sexual assault vs. sexual harassment differ, but both are prohibited acts that may require legal action. Discuss with a sexual assault and harassment attorney if your claim qualifies.

What Percentage of Teachers Abuse Students?

Sexual abuse in public schools statistics show a minority of educators often commit the majority of reported sexual misconduct, according to the cited report above. It's a failure to address sexual harassment and abuse that allows a small percentage of teachers to impact many students.

Men account for 85% of educator sexual misconduct. Students report academic teachers as perpetrating 63% of these actions. They also identify coaches and gym teachers in 20% of the incidents.

Of the misconducts in the survey, only 4% were reported. Reporting grooming behaviors, such as giving special attention, was disclosed at 29%. Reports of gift-giving as grooming behavior occurred at 12%.

Levin Simes Sexual Assault Lawyers Fight Against Nationwide Public School Abuse

Levin Simes is a woman-led firm ready to assist you by providing a comprehensive sexual assault investigation process. Contact our office to demand accountability from your child's public school by calling (415) 426-3000 or complete our form online.

The team at Levin Simes takes pride in victories for our clients by securing successful verdicts and settlements. Students who experience sexual abuse in public schools may struggle as adults. For this reason, we believe in fighting for the maximum compensation for your child to support their recovery and care.

Contacting our firm lets us determine if your case meets the window to file suit. We also assist in establishing settlement trusts for survivors of sexual abuse. This gives clients more control over any compensation they may receive.