Sexual Abuse in Public Schools
In the United States, public schools employ millions of teachers, coaches, counselors, and other staff who are in close contact with children every day. While most educators are responsible professionals, some have been known to exploit their positions to abuse the children in their care.
About 1 in 10 students in the U.S. suffer sexual misconduct by school staff. When public schools fail to properly screen employees, ignore warning signs, or hide reports of abuse, they can be held accountable for the harm suffered by students.
Public school sexual abuse lawsuits commonly allege that:
- Abusers used their authority and access to groom and abuse students
- Districts failed to conduct adequate background checks on employees
- Known predators were quietly transferred rather than reported to authorities
- Officials received reports of abuse but failed to act or investigate
- Schools violated mandatory reporting laws by concealing abuse from law enforcement
Public school sexual abuse can cause children to suffer long-term psychological harm, affecting their finances, relationships, and overall well-being later in life.
At Sokolove Law, we can help survivors of public school sexual assault file lawsuits against their abusers and the schools that failed to protect them. Contact us now to get started with a free case review.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Sex Abuse in Public Schools?
When sexual abuse happens in a public school, responsibility often goes beyond the individual who committed the abuse. Schools and the institutions that oversee them have a duty to protect students, properly supervise staff, and respond to complaints.
Parties that may be held responsible for sex abuse in public schools include:
- Individual abusers: Teachers, coaches, counselors, aides, and other school personnel
- School administrators: If they knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to act
- School districts: For negligent hiring, supervision, or retention of the abuser
- State or local governments: Depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the claims
- Third-party contractors: Bus drivers, coaches, security personnel, or vendors working with the school
In some cases, more than one party can be sued for public school sexual abuse. Our sexual abuse lawyers can help families understand who may bear responsibility in their case and find the evidence to back it up.
Holding all at-fault parties accountable may help prevent similar harm from happening to other students.
Public School Sexual Abuse Settlements & Verdicts
In recent years, current and former students have turned to the courts to expose sexual abuse in public schools and demand accountability from the districts that allowed it to happen.
Public school sexual abuse lawsuits seek financial compensation for the harm suffered while also bringing national attention to systemic failures by school officials and administrators.
Notable settlements and verdicts for sex abuse in public schools include:
- $200 Million in California public school sex abuse settlements from the Los Angeles Unified School District to more than 140 former elementary school students
- $3.5 Million jury verdict for a former student abused by a teacher at Harrisville Elementary School over 40 years ago
- $135 Million California public school sexual abuse verdict against Moreno Valley Unified School District for 2 former students
- $80 Million Hawaii school sex abuse settlement from Kamehameha Schools to dozens of former students
- $21 Million settlement for 6 former students abused by a substitute nurse and classroom assistant in Washington’s University Place School District
- $3.9 Million California public school sexual abuse settlement for a high schooler who alleged that she was molested by a campus supervisor at Mt. Whitney High School
- $15 Million Washington public school sex abuse settlements to 2 students who were allegedly assaulted by a teacher at Totem Middle School
- $445,000 securedin North Carolina public school sexual abuse settlements to 3 students over allegations involving a middle school band teacher at Roland Grise Middle School
- $52 Million Washington sexual abuse settlements and verdicts involving Pierce County schools to multiple survivors
- $17.5 Million Illinois public school abuse settlement from the Chicago Board of Education to a former student who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a school administrator
- $3.1 Million in New Jersey public school sexual abuse settlements to multiple students over allegations involving a former teacher and coach at Myron L. Powell Elementary School
- $3 Million Kentucky public school sexual abuse settlement from Rowan County Schools to a high school athlete who claimed to have been abused by a teacher and coach
- $1.37 Million in New York settlements to resolve 12 Buffalo Public Schools sexual assault lawsuits
- $800,000 secured by Kansas public school sexual abuse attorneys for a student who was allegedly assaulted by her high school science teacher
- $5 Million California public school sex abuse settlement from Fairfax School District for a case involving a middle school principal
- $7.5 Million California school abuse settlement from the Montecito Union School District to 2 brothers who were allegedly sexually abused by a principal
- $10 Million Hawaii public school sexual abuse verdict for a high school student with disabilities who reportedly suffered assaults by multiple male students
Depending on the extent of the abuse and the number of parties involved, settlement amounts may vary. Factors like the age of the victims and evidence showing that the school knew or should have known about the abuse can also play a role.
$200 Million Settlement for School Sex Abuse in Los Angeles County
The Los Angeles Unified School District has agreed to pay more than $200 Million to resolve claims stemming from teacher Mark Berndt’s decades of alleged abuse at Miramonte Elementary School from 1979 to 2011. Berndt reportedly fed semen-laced cookies to his students.
Public school sexual abuse lawyers in California secured an initial $30 Million for 65 families, then a record $140 Million for 82 additional victims, which is believed to be the largest school district sexual abuse settlement in U.S. history.
In April 2026, attorneys recovered an additional$30.5 Millionfor 19 more students, which works out to over $1.6 Million per survivor if distributed equally, minus any legal fees.
Court documents revealed the district had received complaints about Berndt’s conduct as far back as 1983, yet allowed him to remain in the classroom for nearly 30 years.
In California, a 2020 law temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse claims, triggering thousands of lawsuits against schools, foster care systems, and juvenile facilities. Payouts to survivors across Los Angeles County alone totaled nearly $5 Billion.
$3.5 Million New York Public School Sex Abuse Verdict
A New York jury awarded $3.5 Million after finding that Harrisville Central School District and Harrisville Elementary School failed to protect a boy from sexual abuse by his 3rd-grade teacher more than 4 decades ago.
According to the lawsuit, the child was 9 when the abuse by teacher Bette Shampine began. His parents reported the abuse to school officials, but the school allegedly failed to investigate or take action.
He was later held back and remained in Shampine’s classroom, where the abuse continued, according to the complaint. The case was brought under New York’s Child Victims Act, which gave survivors more time to file childhood sexual abuse claims.
$135 Million Verdict for School Sex Abuse in California
In 2023, a Riverside County jury awarded $135 Million to 2 former students who were allegedly sexually abused by Thomas Lee West. West taught at Vista Heights Middle School in Moreno Valley when the students were in 6th grade between 1996 and 1997.
The abuse reportedly continued until they were sophomores. However, when they turned 17, they reported West to the police, and he was later convicted on multiple counts of child abuse, according to reports. A jury found the district 90% liable and West 10% liable.
“For the past 27 years, the school district has failed to accept any responsibility for allowing West to continue teaching, even though they knew multiple complaints of child sexual molestation dating back to the 80s and early 90s before these two young boys were in Mr. West’s class.”
– Public School Sexual Abuse Attorney in California
Hawaii School Settles Decades of Abuse for $80 Million
A Hawaii judge approved an $80 Million settlement involving Kamehameha Schools and more than 30 former students who alleged they were sexually abused decades ago by psychiatrist Robert Browne.
Under the terms of the Hawaii school abuse settlement, the survivors, many of whom are now in their 50s and 60s, were to share $65 Million. The rest of the settlement money was to be distributed over the next 2 years.
Browne, who was head of St. Francis Medical Center, reportedly took his own life in 1991. The case shows how survivors can come forward decades after the abuse and even the death of an abuser and still secure justice and compensation.
$21 Million Washington Public School Sexual Abuse Settlement
In July 2026, the University Place School District in Washington agreed to pay $21 Million to settle lawsuits brought by 6 former students who alleged the district failed to protect them from sexual abuse by Michael Basse.
Basse was a former substitute nurse and classroom assistant who later died by suicide. The public school sex abuse settlement was reached on the eve of trial.
The lawsuits alleged Basse used his position within the school district to groom and sexually abuse students between 2008 and 2016. The abuse allegedly occurred on school grounds, at a summer camp, and in his home and car.
“Resolving the civil case with the district does not take away the trauma, but it at least closes this chapter of a horribly painful part of these former students’ lives.”
– Washington Public School Sexual Abuse Lawyer
$3.9 Million California Public School Abuse Settlement
In July 2026, a former Mt. Whitney High School student reached a $3.94 Million settlement after alleging she was sexually abused by DeJaun Jones, a former campus supervisor and coach during the 2022-23 school year.
Jones allegedly groomed female student-athletes after returning to the school in 2022, despite leaving the district after allegations of inappropriate behavior. An $8 Million public school abuse settlement has already been awarded to another survivor.
The former employee pleaded guilty to all 11 criminal charges against him, including lewd acts with a minor, showing pornography to a child, and contacting a minor to commit a sexual offense.
$15 Million Washington Public School Abuse Settlement
Federal Way Public Schools in Washington agreed to pay $15 Million to resolve a lawsuit brought by 2 former students who alleged they were sexually groomed and abused by a middle school teacher.
The allegations involved former Totem Middle School teacher Glenfield Watkins, who was convicted in 2023 of third-degree child rape involving one of the survivors.
The civil sexual abuse lawsuit alleged the district’s failures amounted to negligence and unlawful gender-based discrimination under Washington law.
$3.1 Million New Jersey School Sex Abuse Settlement
The Lawrence Township School District reportedly reached multiple settlements totaling over $3.1 Million with former students who accused teacher and coach Derek Hildreth of sexually abusing them.
Hildreth allegedly used his roles as a teacher, coach, camp director, and student adviser to gain access to boys and abuse them during school activities, overnight trips, camps, and other outings from the mid-1990s through 2010.
The settlement agreements remained hidden from the public until an open records lawsuit forced their release. The largest settlement totaled $1.25 Million, with additional settlements ranging from $250,000 to $400,000.
$445,000 North Carolina School Sexual Abuse Settlement
The New Hanover County Board of Education announced that their insurance carrier agreed to pay $445,000 to settle lawsuits filed by 3 former students who allege they were sexually abused by middle school band teacher Peter Frank.
Filed in 2020 and 2021, the public school sexual abuse lawsuits were brought by survivors identified as Jane Does 1-3.
Frank, a former teacher at Roland Grise Middle School, is serving at least 50 years in prison after being convicted of numerous sex crimes against students. To date, the district has paid out over $6.8 Million to survivors of Frank and teacher Michael Kelly.
$52 Million in Washington Public School Sex Abuse Payouts
In 2025, school districts in Pierce County, Washington, paid nearly $52 Million over the past decade to resolve sexual abuse claims, according to news reports. The settlements and jury verdicts stem from public school abuse lawsuits filed between 2013 and 2023.
Allegations from the 1970s through 2022 involved teachers, coaches, and even other students. In one case, a 17-year-old girl with a disability was allegedly manipulated into a bathroom by a fellow student and sexually assaulted.
$17.5 Million Chicago Public Schools Sex Abuse Settlement
In 2025, the Chicago Board of Education approved a $17.5 Million settlement for a former student who alleged she was sexually abused beginning at age 16 by school administrator Brian Crowder while attending Little Village Lawndale High School.
Crowder allegedly impregnated the girl on 2 occasions and forced her to undergo abortions. The Chicago Public Schools sexual abuse settlement is believed to be one of the largest school sexual abuse payouts in Illinois history.
Under the terms of the Illinois school sex abuse settlement, the Board will pay $10 Million, with an additional $7.5 Million covered by insurance carriers.
“This case shed light on systemic failures in leadership and a toxic culture across Little Village Lawndale High School’s entire campus, where at least 7 other teachers and administrators have been alleged to have exploited and abused students at the school during the same time period.”
– Chicago Public School Sexual Abuse Attorney
$5 Million Fairfax County Public Schools Sexual Assault Settlement
In April 2026, the Fairfax School District agreed to a $5 Million school sex abuse settlement in a case involving a former middle school vice principal. California public school sexual abuse attorneys alleged that the educator engaged in misconduct with 3 students under age 14 from 2004 to 2011.
In 2011, criminal charges were filed against Donald Ricketts, and in 2023, he pleaded no contest to 1 count involving a minor and served a prison sentence, according to reports. The Fairfax County public schools sexual assault lawsuit alleged that school officials failed to act despite warnings.
The settlement also involved the Fairfax Assembly of God church, where Ricketts served as a pastor and some of the assaults allegedly occurred.
$7.5M Settlement for Public School Abuse in California
In 2025, Montecito Union School District agreed to pay $7.5 Million to settle a sexual abuse lawsuit brought by 2 brothers who alleged they were abused by a former principal in the 1970s. The settlement was reached just before trial and resolves claims that sought $35 Million.
The case was filed under a state law that allows survivors to pursue decades-old abuse claims. While the district denied liability, officials acknowledged that the financial risk of a jury verdict played a major role in the decision to settle.
The brothers’ California public school sexual abuse lawyers filed the lawsuit in 2022, alleging that the district’s former superintendent and principal Stanford Kerr assaulted them in the 1970s. Kerr died in 2013 but never faced criminal charges.
$10 Million Hawaiian School Sex Abuse Verdict
A judge ordered the state of Hawaii to pay $10 Million to a former student who was repeatedly sexually assaulted by at least 6 other students while attending McKinley High School from 2008 to 2011. The award is believed to be the largest ever granted in Hawaii to a single sexual assault survivor.
The case involved a student with a cognitive disability who was abused over a period of several years. The court found that school staff were aware of warning signs but failed to take appropriate action.
“Over a 3-year period, this child, who had the cognitive ability of a 5-year-old, was repeatedly molested by other students. And there was substantial knowledge on the part of multiple teachers and administrators who turned the other way and didn’t do the right thing.”
– Hawaii Public School Sex Abuse Lawyer
In his ruling, Judge Jeffrey Crabtree said the school was negligent for failing to protect the girl, report the sex abuse allegations to the police, and inform the girl’s mother
Taking Legal Action for Public School Sexual Abuse
Public school sexual abuse lawsuits allow victims or their families to pursue compensation for counseling, lost wages, and other expenses. These lawsuits can also help bring closure and a sense of justice being served.
At Sokolove Law, we’ve spent decades fighting for those who’ve been harmed through no fault of their own. Our team is here to provide compassionate support and make the legal process as easy as possible.
Call (866) 418-2146 now to learn more about your legal options and see if you may be able to file a lawsuit for public school sexual abuse.
