Attorney for Victims of Sexual Abuse at Arkansas Schools

We hope that the educators and staff in charge of teaching and caring for our children are invested in the well-being of children. However, some individuals may use the guise of an educator in order to gain access to children for their own sinister purpose. If this occurs, it is important to pursue action against these sexual abusers to ensure they cannot continue their behavior. If you were sexually abused by a staff member at your school, you should consult with an experienced Arkansas school sexual abuse attorney.

Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, understands the trauma that a victim of sexual abuse must endure throughout their life, and he is here to fight for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Ken Kieklak at (479) 316-0438, or contact us online.

Signs of Sexual Abuse in Schools

Sexual abuse is a crime that may be committed in a number of ways in Arkansas. Many survivors of sexual abuse may have difficulty with facing their abuser if they are not aware they were abused or only come to terms with the abuse later in life. It is important to understand the overt and subtle signs of sexual abuse if you wish to file a claim against your sexual abuser.

Coercing a child into performing sexual acts is a clear sign that an individual is sexually abusing a child. For example, if a sexual abuser attempts to get a child to touch their genitals or other private areas, they are committing abuse. Other signs of overt sexual abuse include:

• Forcing children to perform sexual acts on each other
• Making a child view pornographic material
• Raping or using a foreign object to penetrate the genitals of a child
• Inappropriately touching a child’s genitals or other private areas

Additionally, a staff member may employ the use of verbal sexual abuse to assault a child. For example, making sexual comments about the body of a child or other unwanted sexual innuendos can qualify as sexual abuse.

A child that is experiencing sexual abuse may have difficulty speaking to others about the abuse. One reason for this is because the sexual abuser threatened them in some manner. For instance, telling a child that no one would believe their story or that they would be held responsible may make a child hesitant to speak out. In other cases, a child may experience guilt or shame from being taken advantage of by another person.

It is important to recognize the possible signs that a child may be subject to sexual abuse. If a child seems clearly withdrawn or returns home with unexplained bruises, this may be a hint that there could be an issue at school.

To learn more about filing a lawsuit against a sexual abuser, you should consult with an experienced Arkansas sexual abuse lawyer today.

Is a School Liable for Sexual Abuse in Arkansas?

If a child was subject to sexual abuse in Arkansas, it is evident that they would have a claim against the sexual abuser responsible. However, in some cases, the survivor of sexual abuse may be able to file a claim against the school that employed the abuser.

Generally, if an employee commits an illicit act that is within the scope of their employment, they may trigger vicarious liability for their employer. This means that an employer could be held liable for the negligent or intentional actions of an employee.

If a sexual abuser engages in the abuse of a child on school grounds or when they are meant to be teaching a child, this could become an issue for their employer. If the employer is made aware of sexual abuse allegations against an employee, they are required to investigate these claims for the benefit of the children that attend the school. However, an institution may instead attempt to conceal the issue from the parents and the public.

If an educational institution in Arkansas fails to act on information that an employee is sexually abusing children or if they attempt to hide the claims, they could be held liable for injuries suffered by the victims.

Additionally, while this may seem unfair, sexual abuse claims are subject to the statute of limitations. This means that a survivor of sexual abuse only has a limited time to file suit against their abuser and possibly their employer. Waiting too long to file a claim could mean that you have no opportunity to pursue compensation and justice for your pain and suffering.

Our Devoted Arkansas School Sexual Abuse Lawyer is Here for You

If you were sexually abused by an educator at your school, you should waste no time in contacting an experienced Arkansas school sexual abuse lawyer. Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, possesses over 20 years of legal experience, and he would be pleased to use this knowledge to represent you. To schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your potential claim, contact Ken Kieklak at (479) 316-0438.