No parent ever imagines their child will become a victim of sexual abuse at school. I mean, school is supposed to be the safe place, right? Where kids learn, make friends, and grow. But the reality is that school sex abuse happens more often than any of us want to admit. According to the U.S. Department of Education, an estimated one in ten children experience some form of sexual misconduct by a school employee. And in Chicago specifically, the problem is staggering—in fiscal year 2024 alone, 469 cases of sexual abuse were referred to the CPS Sexual Allegation Unit for investigation.
If your child has experienced sexual abuse at a Chicago school, I want you to know something right now: you’re not alone, and you have legal rights. Real, enforceable rights. Understanding those rights and knowing what resources are available to you—that’s the first step toward getting justice and helping your child heal.
At Disparti Law Group, we’ve spent years holding negligent school districts accountable. And I’m not talking about just filing paperwork. We’re talking about fighting for the children and families who have been failed by the very institutions that promised to protect them. If you need to speak with someone confidentially right now, call us at (312) 506-1235.
What Qualifies as School Sex Abuse in Illinois?
School sex abuse is any unwanted sexual contact, behavior, or exploitation of a student by someone in a position of trust or authority. That includes:
- Sexual assault or molestation by teachers, coaches, counselors, or other school staff
- Abuse by other students that the school knew about (or honestly should have known about)
- Inappropriate touching or sexual conduct
- Grooming behavior—that’s when an adult builds trust specifically to exploit a child later
- Sharing or soliciting sexually explicit images
- Sexual harassment that makes school feel unsafe
Here’s what matters in Illinois: schools have a legal duty to protect students from sexual abuse. When they fail in that duty—maybe they didn’t properly vet someone during hiring, or they ignored red flags, or they didn’t supervise students adequately—they can absolutely be held legally responsible.
Learn more about school sexual abuse and your legal options on our dedicated resource page.
What Should I Do Immediately If My Child Reports School Sex Abuse?
Your first priority is always your child’s safety and well-being. Always. Here’s what you need to do right away:
Believe and support your child. It takes incredible courage for a child to disclose abuse. Let them know you believe them and that what happened is not their fault. Period.
Seek medical attention. Even if there are no visible injuries, get your child examined. It’s important for their health, and it documents evidence that may be crucial later.
Report to authorities. Contact the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) at 1-800-252-2873 and file a police report with Chicago police. Yes, schools are mandated reporters, but don’t rely solely on them to do it. Make the report yourself.
Document everything. Write down what your child told you, when they told you, every detail they shared. Keep copies of all communications with the school—emails, texts, notes from meetings, everything.
Contact a school sex abuse lawyer in Chicago. And I know what you’re thinking—”Do I really need a lawyer right away?” Yes. Legal counsel protects your child’s rights from day one and makes sure the school doesn’t sweep this under the rug or retaliate against your family. We’ve seen both happen. Call Disparti Law Group at (312) 506-1235 for a confidential consultation.
How Are Chicago Schools Legally Required to Protect Students?
Illinois schools operate under strict legal obligations when it comes to preventing and responding to sexual abuse. Under the Illinois School Code and Title IX federal law, they must:
- Conduct thorough background checks on all employees
- Provide adequate supervision of students
- Train staff to recognize and report abuse
- Investigate complaints promptly and thoroughly
- Take immediate action to protect victims
- Prevent retaliation against students who report
But here’s the problem: when schools cut corners—hiring staff without proper vetting, ignoring warning signs, or failing to act when someone reports concerns—they create exactly the kind of environment where predators can operate freely. And the statistics bear this out. Research from Psychology Today shows that 70% of school sex abuse perpetrators are male, 69% are teachers, and 15% are gym teachers or coaches—people in positions of trust and authority.
Disparti Law Group has extensive experience suing school districts that fail to meet these legal standards. We know how to prove when a school’s negligence enabled abuse to occur, and we’ve done it successfully for Chicago families time and time again.
What Is the Difference Between Criminal and Civil Cases?
A lot of families ask us this, and it’s really important to understand because these are two completely separate legal processes:
Criminal cases are brought by prosecutors to punish the abuser. The abuser may face prison time, which is important, but criminal cases don’t provide financial compensation to victims.
Civil cases are lawsuits you file against the school district or other responsible parties to obtain compensation for the harm your child suffered. These cases hold institutions accountable for their failures.
And here’s the thing—you can pursue both at the same time. Actually, having a school sex abuse lawyer in Chicago working on your civil case while criminal proceedings unfold can strengthen your position and ensure everyone who’s responsible is held accountable.
Can We Sue a Chicago School District for Sex Abuse?
Yes. Now, schools are often protected by governmental immunity, which sounds intimidating. But there are important exceptions when it comes to sexual abuse cases.
Illinois law allows victims to sue school districts when:
- The district was negligent in hiring, training, or supervising employees
- School officials knew or should have known about abuse and failed to act
- The district violated mandatory reporting requirements
- There was a pattern of complaints that were ignored
Disparti Law Group has successfully represented families against Chicago Public Schools and suburban school districts throughout Illinois. We understand the complex legal landscape of suing governmental entities—and yes, it’s complex—and we know how to navigate all the procedural requirements, including those strict notice requirements that can trip families up if they don’t have experienced legal help.
Disparti Law Group’s Track Record: Real Cases, Real Justice
We don’t just talk about holding schools accountable—we do it. Here are examples of cases where Disparti Law Group has filed lawsuits against school districts for failing to protect students:
Sullivan High School Case (Chicago Public Schools): In April 2024, Disparti Law Group filed a lawsuit against Chicago Public Schools on behalf of a student with autism who was sexually assaulted in a school bathroom. The child had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) requiring adult supervision at all times, but CPS failed to follow it. As Attorney Larry Disparti stated, “This child endured a traumatic assault – an assault that was entirely preventable. The school failed to act – and it failed in its fundamental duty: to protect the children in its care.”
Taylorville School District Case: Disparti Law Group filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a 10-year-old special needs student who was repeatedly sexually abused by another student on school bus rides. The case exposed a pattern of the school system caring more about protecting the abuser’s rights than student safety. As Larry Disparti explained, “We send our children to school expecting them to learn, grow, and feel safe—but instead, too many are being subjected to environments where abuse is hidden, minimized, or ignored.”
These cases demonstrate our commitment to fighting systematic failures that put children at risk. We’ve uncovered patterns of neglect and cover-ups in schools, and we’re not afraid to take on even the largest school districts when they fail our children.
What Kind of Compensation Can Victims Receive?
Look, no amount of money can undo the trauma of sexual abuse. We know that. But compensation serves two critical purposes: it helps pay for the extensive therapy and support your child needs, and it sends a powerful message that this kind of abuse will not be tolerated.
Victims of school sex abuse may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical and therapy costs – Both current treatment and future mental health care, because this doesn’t just go away
- Pain and suffering – The emotional trauma and psychological harm
- Loss of educational opportunities – When abuse disrupts a child’s ability to learn and thrive
- Future damages – The ongoing impacts on your child’s life, career prospects, relationships
Every case is different. The value depends on the severity of abuse, the extent of the school’s negligence, and the long-term impact on your child. Our firm works with medical experts, psychologists, and educational specialists to fully document the harm your child has suffered—because that’s what it takes to get real accountability.
How Long Do We Have to File a Lawsuit in Illinois?
Illinois has actually extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases in recent years. Lawmakers recognized that victims often need time to come forward, and that makes sense. Under current Illinois law:
- Victims have 20 years from turning 18 (until age 38) to file a lawsuit
- For cases involving someone who was under 18 on or after January 1, 2014, there’s no statute of limitations for criminal prosecution
- If you’re filing against a school district, you must file a notice of claim within one year of the abuse
These deadlines are complicated, and there are exceptions and nuances that can affect your specific case. That’s why it’s critical to consult with a school sex abuse lawyer in Chicago as soon as possible. Waiting can mean losing crucial evidence and missing important deadlines that could bar your case entirely.
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove a School Knew About the Abuse?
This is where having experienced legal representation makes all the difference. Schools often claim they had no knowledge of abuse—we hear it constantly. But we know where to look for evidence:
- Prior complaints – Other students or parents who reported concerns about the abuser
- Personnel files – Disciplinary actions, complaints, or performance issues that were ignored
- Emails and communications – Messages between staff discussing concerns that should have triggered action
- Witness testimony – Students, parents, or staff who noticed inappropriate behavior
- Hiring records – Whether the district actually conducted proper background checks or just rubber-stamped someone
- Training records – Whether the district provided adequate abuse prevention training or just checked a box
Disparti Law Group has the resources and expertise to conduct thorough investigations. We work with investigators, we review thousands of pages of school records, and we depose school officials to uncover what they knew and when they knew it. Our experience suing school districts means we know exactly what questions to ask and where negligence usually hides in the paperwork.
How Can Disparti Law Group Help My Family?
At Disparti Law Group, we understand that no legal outcome can erase what happened to your child. We’re not naive about that. But we also know that holding schools accountable can bring a sense of justice, prevent this from happening to other children, and provide real resources for your child’s recovery.
When you work with our firm, we:
- Handle all legal proceedings so you can focus on your child’s healing
- Investigate thoroughly to build the strongest possible case—no stone unturned
- Work with expert witnesses to document the full impact of the abuse
- Fight aggressively against school district lawyers who will try to minimize responsibility (and they will try)
- Treat your family with the compassion and respect you deserve during what is probably the most difficult time in your lives
We’ve helped numerous Chicago families obtain justice after school sex abuse, and we’re ready to fight for yours. As Attorney Larry Disparti says, “As a father, there is nothing more important than the safety of our children. Our schools should be sanctuaries for our kids, where teachers, coaches, and staff members should foster a love for learning and be role models, not predators.”
Over the past two years, we’ve uncovered a pattern of neglect and cover-ups in schools across Illinois. We’ve become leaders in standing up for the rights of students and children who have been abused.
Learn more about our approach to school sexual abuse cases and how we can help your family.
Where Can I Find Additional Support and Resources?
Legal action is just one part of your family’s recovery. You’re also going to need emotional support and practical resources:
- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673 – National hotline providing confidential support 24/7
- Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault: Resources and local support services throughout Illinois
- Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center: Specialized services for child abuse victims and their families
- National Center for Victims of Crime: Information about victims’ rights and resources
Don’t try to face this alone. Between legal support, counseling, and community resources, there are people ready to help your family through this.
Take the First Step Toward Justice
If your child has been sexually abused at a Chicago school, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, witnesses move away, and legal deadlines approach faster than you think. You deserve answers, your child deserves justice, and the school needs to be held accountable.
Contact Disparti Law Group today at (312) 506-1235 for a confidential, free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your legal options clearly, and help you understand the path forward. There’s no obligation, and you won’t pay anything unless we win your case.
Your child’s safety and future matter. Let us help you fight for both.
Confidential Consultations Available 24/7 | Call (312) 506-1235
Disparti Law Group has recovered over $2 billion for clients and is proud to serve families throughout Chicago and all of Illinois.
