Fort Lauderdale School Sexual Assault Attorney
Sexual assaults and other forms of sexual violence are far too frequent on college and university campuses, and in school settings more broadly. While any school in the U.S. that receives federal funding is bound by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which requires schools to have procedures in place for investigating allegations of sexual misconduct, Title IX does not necessarily prevent sexual assaults from occurring. Moreover, many students and staff who have been sexually assaulted on school campuses may be hesitant to report, meaning that some sexual assault cases are never properly handled. If you or someone you love was sexually assaulted at a school or an educational institution, you should seek advice from a Fort Lauderdale school sexual assault attorney about filing a civil lawsuit.
Sexual Assault Statistics on Campuses
School campuses see far too many sexual assaults, and a high percentage of sexual assaults and rapes go unreported. The following are some statistics from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) that emphasize the prevalence of sexual assaults on school grounds:
- Approximately 25 percent of all women at undergraduate institutions have been sexually assaulted;
- More than 50 percent of female victims of sexual assault on campuses report that they were raped by someone who they identified as an intimate partner, with more than 40 percent identifying the attacker as someone they knew casually as an acquaintance;
- Women in college between the ages of 18-24 are three times as likely to be sexually assaulted as male peers in the same age group;
- Approximately 13 percent of all students who experience rape or sexual assault are victimized “through physical force, violence, or incapacitation,” according to RAINN;
- Nearly 10 percent of female graduate and professional students are victims of sexual assault or rape, and about 2.5 percent of male graduate and professional students are victims of sexual assault or rape;
- More than 26 percent of undergraduate female students who experience sexual assault or rape have an experience that involves “physical force, violence, or incapacitation,” according to RAINN, and nearly 7 percent of male students who report being raped or sexually assaulted experience the same; and
- More than 23 percent of college students who identify as transgender, genderqueer, or gender nonconforming report that they have been sexually assaulted.
Civil Lawsuit for Sexual Assault and Title IX
Civil lawsuits for sexual assault are distinct from Title IX complaints. If you were sexually assaulted at a school, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit to seek compensation from the institution, an employee, or the perpetrator of the assault.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale School Sexual Assault Attorney
Were you sexually assaulted at a school, college, or university? Unfortunately, you are not alone. Sexual assaults occur with far too much frequency on campuses, and students, faculty, and staff can experience debilitating injuries as a result of a sexual assault. Our Fort Lauderdale school sexual assault attorneys know how emotionally and psychologically difficult these cases can be, and we will advocate for you every step of the way. Contact Boone & Davis for more information.