Understanding Sexual Abuse in Sports
Athletes at every level spend countless hours with adults who control their playing time, scholarships, and futures. Practices, road trips, locker rooms, and one-on-one training or medical care can give predators unsupervised access to young people who are eager to please.
Nearly 11% of athletes said they had experienced unwanted sexual contact or sexually explicit behavior while playing sports, according to a survey by the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Coaches were the most common perpetrators of nonconsensual touching.
Sports sexual abuse lawsuits allege that:
- Coaches, trainers, and team doctors used their authority to groom and sexually abuse athletes
- Abuse was disguised as medical treatment, physical therapy, stretching, or massage
- Schools, clubs, and governing bodies ignored, minimized, or covered up complaints
- Known predators were allowed to keep coaching or were quietly moved to other programs
- Organizations failed to run background checks, supervise staff, or report abuse to law enforcement
- Athletes stayed silent out of fear of losing playing time, scholarships, or their spot on the team
When an athlete's dreams depend on staying in a coach's good graces, speaking up can feel impossible. Abusers often count on that silence, and many institutions have protected their programs instead of their athletes.
Survivors are now fighting back. They have secured more than $1.9 Billion from universities, Olympic sports organizations, school districts, youth clubs, and the federal government.
At Sokolove Law, our sports sexual abuse attorneys can help you seek justice against your abuser and the organization that failed to protect you. Contact us now to get started.
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What Is Considered Sexual Abuse in Sports?
Sexual abuse in sports can take many forms, from sexual harassment and unwanted touching to exploitation, grooming, and inappropriate relationships between athletes and those in positions of authority.
Sexual abuse doesn’t always involve physical force. In many cases, abusers slowly break down boundaries, exploit the trust athletes place in them, or disguise inappropriate behavior as a normal part of training, treatment, or team culture.
Sexual abuse in sports may include:
- Sexual Assault and Rape: Any nonconsensual sexual contact, including assaults by coaches, staff, or teammates
- Abuse Disguised as Medical Care: Unnecessary genital, breast, or rectal exams, or touching during treatments, massages, and physicals
- Inappropriate Touching During Coaching: Groping or touching private areas while "spotting," stretching, or correcting an athlete's form
- Grooming: Building trust through special attention, gifts, private messages, or one-on-one time before abuse begins
- Sexual Exploitation: Taking, stealing, or sharing sexual images of athletes, including through hacking or hidden cameras
- Voyeurism: Watching athletes undress, shower, or provide urine samples for no legitimate reason
- Sexual Harassment and Coercion: Sexual comments, advances, or pressure, often tied to playing time or career opportunities
- Hazing and Peer Assault: Sexual assaults by teammates, often in unsupervised locker rooms or during team rituals
“It took me till the end of the school year to realize that he had been grooming me, basically brainwashing me.”
– Survivor of Sexual Abuse in Sports
In many states, it is also a crime for coaches and teachers to have sexual contact with students in their care, even if the student is above the age of consent.
If you're not sure whether what happened to you counts as sexual abuse, our team can help. Call (800) 995-1212 now to speak with us for free.
Where Does Sexual Abuse in Sports Happen?
Sexual abuse has been reported in every type of sport and at every level of competition, from recreational leagues to the Olympics. It can happen anywhere athletes interact with coaches, trainers, staff, teammates, or other adults.
Abuse often happens in places where athletes are separated from their parents and other trusted adults, giving coaches, trainers, medical providers, or others greater access and control.
Sexual assault in sports may occur in:
- Locker rooms and showers
- Athletic training rooms and team doctors' offices
- Hotels during road trips, tournaments, and competitions
- Private lessons and one-on-one training sessions
- Coaches' cars and homes
- Sports camps, showcases, and elite training programs
- Online, through texts, social media, and hacked accounts
When organizations fail to have safeguards in place, ignore warning signs, or allow abusers continued access to athletes, the consequences can be devastating. However, survivors may have a path to justice through a sports sexual abuse lawsuit.
Who Can Our Sports Sexual Abuse Lawyers Help?
Our sports sexual abuse lawyers help survivors of all ages, in every sport, at every level of competition.
Whether the abuse happened recently or years ago, we can help you understand your legal rights and determine whether an individual, school, team, athletic organization, or other institution may be held accountable.
Our sports and coach sexual abuse lawyers may be able to help:
- Youth and travel team athletes
- High school and college athletes
- Olympic and elite athletes
- Parents of children abused in sports
- Adult survivors of childhood sports abuse
You don't need to have reported the abuse to police, and your abuser doesn't need to have been criminally charged, to take legal action.
A sports coach sexual abuse lawsuit is separate from the criminal justice process and may allow survivors to seek compensation and hold responsible individuals and institutions accountable.
Even if you're unsure whether you still have time to file a claim, our team can review what happened, explain the laws that may apply, and help you understand your options at no cost.
Sports Sexual Abuse Settlements & Verdicts
Sexual abuse in sports can lead to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use, and other struggles that last long after an athlete's playing days are over.
Compensation from a sports sexual abuse settlement or verdict can help survivors pay for therapy and medical care. It can also hold negligent institutions accountable and push them to protect future athletes.
Payouts from sports sexual abuse settlements and verdicts include:
- $500 Million from Michigan State University to more than 300 women and girls who were sexually assaulted by former sports doctor Larry Nassar
- $490 Million from the University of Michigan to about 1,050 former students and athletes who said the university's longtime athletic department doctor abused them during exams
- $380 Million from USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and their insurers to Nassar survivors
- More than $160 Million from Ohio State University to survivors of team doctor Richard Strauss, including $61 Million to 317 plaintiffs and a $100 Million settlement in 2026
- $138.7 Million from the U.S. Justice Department to settle 139 claims that the FBI mishandled early reports of Nassar's abuse
- Nearly $93 Million from Penn State to victims or accusers of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky
- $60 Million awarded to 3 young taekwondo athletes who were sexually abused by their coach
- $17.5 Million from a California school district to 4 survivors of a high school tennis coach
- $16 Million from the Seattle School District to a former Garfield High School student who was abused by 2 coaches
- $12.75 Million in total settlements from a Washington youth soccer club over abuse by their coaches
- $12.5 Million jury verdict against a Minnesota figure skating coach who abused a young skater
- $9.7 Million to 4 former Damascus High School football players who were sexually assaulted in a Maryland locker room
- $8.2 Million from the U.S. Youth Soccer Association and their Northern California affiliate to a player abused by her coach
- Nearly $3 Million from a Pennsylvania school district to a woman abused by her middle school basketball coach
Many other sports sexual abuse lawsuits have ended in confidential settlements, so the amounts were not made public.
However, $425 Million of Michigan State University's Larry Nassar settlement was allocated to 332 existing claimants — about $1.28 Million per claimant, with another $75 Million reserved for future claims.
While there's never a guarantee of compensation in any case, our youth sports sexual abuse lawyers will fight hard to get you everything you're entitled to.
Let Sokolove Law Fight for You
Our sports coach sexual abuse attorneys can pursue settlement on your behalf. Let us put our 45+ years of experience to work for you.
Sports Coach Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Updates & News
Across the country, athletes are coming forward to report abuse by coaches, trainers, and team doctors. As a result, universities, youth clubs, and sports organizations are facing new lawsuits, criminal charges, and investigations.
Learn more about the latest sports sexual abuse cases:
- September 30, 2026: A Minnesota appeals court heard arguments as to whether U.S. Figure Skating had a duty to protect a young skater after a jury awarded her $12.5 Million against her coach.
- September 29, 2026: Former University of Michigan assistant football coach Matt Weiss argued in court that a lawsuit accusing him of accessing thousands of young athletes' private photos and videos was filed too late.
- September 28, 2026: Federal prosecutors asked a court to keep former Hawaii high school girls wrestling coach Sean Sakaida jailed on child sexual abuse material charges. Two more potential victims came forward after the FBI asked for tips.
- September 23, 2026: Former NC State sports medicine director Robert Murphy Jr. was arrested in Florida after being indicted on 32 counts involving multiple victims.
- September 17, 2026: Documents filed with 3 state attorneys general showed the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) received 8 complaints of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, or retaliation in the first half of 2026.
- September 16, 2026: A federal lawsuit accused Nike and the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation of failing to protect an underage athlete who was allegedly sexually assaulted during the Nike Elite Program.
- September 2, 2026: A Pennsylvania school district agreed to pay $3 Million to a woman who was groomed and abused by her middle school basketball coach after she won at trial.
- August 13, 2026: An investigation by ProPublica and The Washington Post found that the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) still hasn't carried out child safety reforms they promised more than a decade ago.
- August 13, 2026: A New York school district agreed to a $595,000 settlement with a former student who said she was sexually abused by a teacher and coach.
- August 10, 2026: A former University of Kentucky swim coach settled a lawsuit brought by 2 former swimmers who accused him of repeated sexual assaults. Claims against the university and their former athletic director are still pending.
- June 9, 2026: A judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by 31 former NC State male athletes, ruling that their claims were filed past the statute of limitations.
- June 4, 2026: Ohio State and 279 of the 280 remaining Richard Strauss survivors reached settlements totaling $100 Million.
- May 27, 2026: Two students sued a suspended Kentucky high school basketball coach and district leaders, alleging sexual misconduct and a cover-up.
- May 13, 2026: Former gymnastics coach Sean Gardner pleaded guilty to 3 counts of producing child sexual abuse material after secretly recording gymnasts in a gym bathroom.
- April 1, 2026: A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit alleging that a former Indiana University men's basketball team doctor sexually abused players during physicals, citing the statute of limitations.
- January 2026: Three more former gymnasts sued an Iowa gymnastics academy over abuse by a former coach.
These cases show that sexual abuse in sports isn't limited to one sport, one level of competition, or one era. Allegations have involved youth leagues, high schools, colleges, elite training programs, and Olympic-level athletics.
New cases continue to emerge as survivors come forward and institutions are investigated or held accountable. Find out more about some of the most recent sports sexual abuse cases making headlines.
AAU Sexual Abuse Scandal
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest youth sports organizations in the country, with about 760,000 athletes and coaches competing every year.
In 2011, the AAU's president resigned after being accused of molesting boys he once coached, and the organization promised sweeping safety reforms. A 2026 investigation found that many of those promises were never kept.
At least 8 coaches who had been banned or suspended elsewhere kept coaching AAU-affiliated teams in the last 5 years. In one case, the co-director of an AAU-affiliated Iowa club was convicted of sexually exploiting more than 400 young players and sentenced to 180 years in prison.
Cases like these highlight how sexual abuse can occur throughout organized sports, from local youth programs to elite competition.
The risks and safeguards can differ depending on where an athlete competes. High schools, colleges, youth sports organizations, and elite athletic programs each have responsibilities to protect athletes and respond appropriately when abuse is reported.
If you or your child experienced sexual abuse by a coach, trainer, team doctor, or someone else connected to sports, our sports sexual abuse attorneys may be able to help you pursue justice. Get a free case review now.
Youth Sports Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
High school coaches often act as mentors, teachers, and drivers all at once. These overlapping roles can create opportunities for grooming that school officials may miss or ignore.
High school sports abuse cases may be filed against public school districts, private schools, and boarding schools. Many of these cases claim that administrators received warnings about the abuse yet failed to act.
Schools that have faced sports-related sexual abuse allegations include:
- Berkeley High School (California): Nine former students reached a $13.5 Million settlement in 2024 over allegations of sexual harassment and abuse by a teacher and coach.
- Damascus High School (Maryland): Montgomery County Public Schools agreed to pay $9.7 Million to 4 former football players who were sexually assaulted by teammates in a locker room.
- Garfield High School (Washington): Seattle Public Schools agreed to pay $16 Million in 2024 to a former student who alleged sexual abuse by 2 coaches.
- Grossmont High School (California): The district agreed to a $100,000 settlement in 2024 involving allegations of sexual battery against a girls soccer coach.
- Loyalsock Township Middle School (Pennsylvania): A former student won a $2.8 Million jury verdict in 2026 over abuse by her basketball coach. The district subsequently agreed to a $3 Million settlement.
- Ninnekah High School (Oklahoma): The school district agreed to pay $7.5 Million to 14 women and girls who alleged sexual abuse by a basketball coach and failures by school officials to intervene.
- Poly Prep Country Day School (New York): Dozens of former students have accused longtime football coach Philip Foglietta of sexual abuse spanning decades.
- Rosemead High School (California): Three former students filed a 2024 lawsuit alleging sexual abuse and harassment by coaches and teachers, along with institutional failures.
- Rowan County Senior High School (Kentucky): The school district reached a $3 Million settlement in 2026 over allegations that officials failed to act on reports of sexual abuse by a teacher and coach.
- Scott County High School (Kentucky): Two students filed a 2026 lawsuit accusing basketball coach Sean Woods of sexual misconduct and district leaders of covering up complaints.
- St. Helens High School (Oregon): The school district agreed to pay $3.5 Million in 2024 to a former student who was sexually abused by a teacher and track coach.
- Tamalpais High School (California): The school district reached a $17.5 Million settlement involving sexual abuse by former tennis coach Normandie Burgos.
These are only some of the schools and athletic programs that have faced sexual abuse allegations. You may still qualify to file a lawsuit even if your school or coach isn't listed here.
Poly Prep Coach Sexual Abuse (Philip Foglietta)
Philip Foglietta was a longtime football coach at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn. Dozens of former students have accused him of sexual abuse over several decades.
Survivors allege that school leaders were warned about Foglietta but let him keep coaching. New York's Child Victims Act later gave many adult survivors of childhood abuse a new chance to take legal action.
Tamalpais High School Tennis Coach Abuse (Normandie Burgos)
Normandie Burgos was a P.E. teacher and tennis coach at Tamalpais High School in California. He abused students on his team for years, even though the principal received repeated complaints about his behavior.
Burgos was convicted of 60 counts of child molestation and sentenced to 255 years in prison. The school district agreed to pay $17.5 Million to 4 survivors.
Garfield High School Basketball Coach Abuse
In 2024, the Seattle School District agreed to pay $16 Million to a former Garfield High School student. She claimed 2 district coaches abused her over several years, including a rape by her basketball coach when she was 13.
The district had hired one of the coaches even though he had previously been fired from another school district and banned over allegations of sexual contact with minors.
Damascus High School Football Locker Room Assaults
Sports sexual abuse isn't always committed by adults. Teammates may also commit sexual assaults, often disguised as hazing, when locker rooms and team activities go unsupervised.
In 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland agreed to pay a $9.7 Million sexual abuse settlement to 4 former Damascus High School football players who were violently assaulted in an unsupervised locker room.
Scott County High School Basketball Coach Lawsuit
In May 2026, 2 students sued suspended Scott County High School basketball coach Sean Woods and Kentucky district leaders. They accuse Woods of sexual misconduct and the district of a cover-up.
The lawsuit alleges Woods engaged in inappropriate touching, made sexual comments, and invited students to drink and party. Administrators are also accused of letting him keep coaching and coming to school events even after complaints.
When sexual abuse occurs in high school sports, schools and athletic programs may face questions about whether warning signs were missed, complaints were properly investigated, or athletes were adequately protected.
Those concerns don't end after graduation. At colleges and universities, athletes may spend even more time under the supervision of coaches, trainers, team doctors, and athletic departments — creating different opportunities for abuse and institutional failures.
College Sports Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
College athletes often depend on coaches and athletic department staff for their scholarships, medical care, and professional futures. Some of the largest sexual abuse scandals in U.S. history have involved university athletic departments.
Many college sports abuse cases involve team doctors and athletic trainers who abused athletes under the guise of medical treatment. Others involve coaches, staff members, and athletes whose misconduct was ignored to protect winning programs.
Penn State Sexual Abuse Scandal (Jerry Sandusky)
Jerry Sandusky was a longtime assistant football coach at Penn State University. He reportedly found most of his victims through The Second Mile, a charity he founded for at-risk children.
Sandusky was arrested in 2011. He is serving 30 to 60 years in prison after being convicted on 45 counts of child sexual abuse. Penn State has paid nearly $93 Million to settle 32 claims from Sandusky survivors.
Michigan State Sexual Abuse Scandal (Larry Nassar)
Larry Nassar was a sports medicine doctor at Michigan State University and a doctor for USA Gymnastics. For nearly 2 decades, he sexually abused hundreds of patients, including Olympic gymnasts, while claiming to provide medical treatment.
Michigan State agreed to pay $500 Million to more than 300 survivors after being accused of missing chances over many years to stop Nassar. A Michigan state court sentenced Nassar to up to 175 years in prison.
"These young women will never be made whole from the abuse that occurred. But this is a step in the right direction."
– Youth Sports Sexual Abuse Lawyer
University of Michigan Sexual Abuse (Dr. Robert Anderson)
Dr. Robert Anderson spent over 3 decades as a team doctor in Michigan's athletic department, during which thousands of students played sports at the university.
Former patients said Anderson made them undergo rectal exams and fondled their genitals when they came to him for routine sports injuries.
In 2022, the University of Michigan agreed to a $490 Million settlement with about 1,050 survivors. It's one of the largest sexual abuse settlements ever reached by a university.
Ohio State Sexual Abuse Scandal (Dr. Richard Strauss)
Richard Strauss was a team doctor for men's sports and a physician at Ohio State's student health center from 1978 to 1998. He sexually abused at least 177 male students, and university officials knew about the abuse as early as 1979.
More than 500 former students, most of them athletes, have accused Ohio State of failing to prevent the abuse.
In June 2026, Ohio State agreed to a $100 Million settlement with nearly all remaining plaintiffs. A court-appointed special master will interview more than 200 survivors to decide how much each one receives.
NC State Sports Medicine Director Sexual Abuse (Robert Murphy)
Robert Murphy was NC State's director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer from 2012 to 2022. More than 30 former male athletes have accused him of sexually abusing them while claiming to provide treatment.
In September 2026, a grand jury indicted Murphy on 9 felony counts of sexual contact under the pretext of medical treatment and 23 misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. He was charged under a 2019 North Carolina law that made this type of abuse a felony.
The criminal charges came just months after a judge dismissed the athletes' civil lawsuit on statute of limitations and jurisdictional grounds. Murphy's attorneys have denied any wrongdoing.
University of Kentucky Swim Coach Sex Abuse Settlement (Lars Jorgensen)
Lars Jorgensen was head swim coach at the University of Kentucky from 2013 to 2023. Two former swimmers sued him in 2024, alleging he repeatedly sexually assaulted them and created a sexually hostile environment on the team.
In August 2026, a federal judge signed an order confirming that the swimmers had resolved all claims against Jorgensen. Their claims against the university and its former athletic director are still pending.
The lawsuit claims the university failed to properly vet Jorgensen before hiring him and failed to respond appropriately to allegations. Jorgensen resigned while under investigation, received a $75,000 settlement from the school, and was banned from coaching by SafeSport in 2025.
Baylor University Football Sexual Assault Scandal
Baylor University has faced multiple Title IX lawsuits from women who said they were sexually assaulted, and that the school ignored or mishandled their reports.
An investigation found problems within the football program and raised broader concerns about how the university handled sexual assault reports across campus. The scandal led to the firing of head football coach Art Briles and the removal of Ken Starr, the former university president.
In 2023, Baylor settled a federal lawsuit brought by 15 women. The confidential settlement followed earlier agreements, including one with a former volleyball player who said she was drugged and gang-raped by football players.
"Their bravery and strength has created legal precedents that empower others to gain relief from the injuries inflicted by their universities, while also securing safer education environments for future generations."
– College Sports Sexual Abuse Lawyer
College sports abuse cases show how power imbalances and institutional failures can leave athletes vulnerable even within large, well-established athletic programs.
Schools, universities, and athletic programs have a responsibility to protect athletes from abuse. If an organization failed to protect you or your child, you may have a legal claim. Call (800) 995-1212 now to take the first step.
Olympic & Elite Sports Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Olympic hopefuls often begin training at a young age, spend extended periods away from home, and depend on coaches and officials to advance their careers. These power imbalances have contributed to some of the most widespread sports sexual abuse scandals in history.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport investigates abuse and misconduct in Olympic and Paralympic sports. In 2025 alone, the center received approximately 9,700 reports of abuse and misconduct.
Notable Olympic and elite sports sexual abuse lawsuits include:
- USA Gymnastics: Larry Nassar survivors secured $380 Million in settlement funds from USA Gymnastics and other parties. The Justice Department later paid $138.7 Million to resolve 139 claims involving FBI investigative failures. Nassar-related settlements have reportedly approached $1 Billion.
- USA Swimming: Olympian Ariana Kukors Smith settled a lawsuit alleging the organization covered up abuse by her coach. Another survivor received $1.125 Million from 2 USA Swimming affiliates, though USA Swimming itself was found not negligent.
- USA Taekwondo: A California judge awarded $60 Million to 3 athletes sexually abused by coach Marc Gitelman. Claims against USA Taekwondo and the U.S. Olympic Committee were dismissed.
- USA Volleyball: Coach Rick Butler was banned in 1995 over sexual misconduct involving teenage players but continued coaching AAU teams until 2018.
- U.S. Figure Skating: A former skater won $12.5 Million against coach Thomas Incantalupo for childhood sexual abuse. An appeals court heard arguments in September 2026 over whether U.S. Figure Skating had a duty to protect her.
- Chow's Gymnastics: Coach Sean Gardner faced allegations of abusing at least 3 gymnasts. After SafeSport complaints and a 2025 arrest, he pleaded guilty in May 2026 to federal charges involving secretly recording gymnasts.
- Nike Elite Program: A September 2026 lawsuit alleges Nike and another organization failed to protect a 16-year-old athlete from sexual assault and pressured her to describe the encounter as consensual.
These cases show how sexual abuse can occur even at the highest levels of competitive sports, where young athletes depend on coaches and organizations to protect them.
When athletic programs ignore complaints, overlook warning signs, or fail to prevent abuse, they may be held legally responsible. Survivors may have options for pursuing justice and compensation, even if their coach or organization isn't listed here.
“It is so painful in this moment to look back on the shell of a person he turned me into. Because in that moment, I was programmed to think that I trusted this man. And not only did I trust him but I relied on him to help me achieve my dreams.”
– Ariana Kukors Smith, Sports Sexual Abuse Survivor
Professional Sports Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Sexual abuse and assault also happen in professional sports, where team owners, executives, coaches, and star players can hold enormous power. Professional athletes, team employees, and members of the public have filed lawsuits claiming that leagues and teams protected abusers.
Notable professional sports sexual abuse lawsuits include:
- National Women's Soccer League (NWSL): In 2021, professional soccer players exposed widespread sexual harassment and abuse by coaches. Investigations found systemic failures across the league. In 2025, the NWSL agreed to establish a $5 Million fund for players as part of a settlement with 3 state attorneys general.
- Chicago Blackhawks: Former player Kyle Beach accused video coach Brad Aldrich of sexually assaulting him in 2010. An investigation found that team officials delayed responding to the allegations. The NHL fined the Blackhawks $2 Million, and Beach reached a confidential settlement with the team in 2021.
- Deshaun Watson: Roughly 25 women sued the NFL quarterback over alleged sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Watson settled 23 lawsuits in 2022, while the Houston Texans separately settled claims involving 30 women. Watson denied wrongdoing and was not criminally charged, but the NFL suspended him for 11 games and fined him $5 Million.
"I know I'm not the only one, male or female. And I buried this for 10 years, 11 years. And it's destroyed me from the inside out. And I want everybody to know in the sports world and in the world that you're not alone, that if these things happen to you, you need to speak up."
– Kyle Beach, Sports Sexual Assault Survivor
This is not a complete list of sports sexual abuse cases. If you or a loved one was sexually abused by a coach, trainer, team doctor, teammate, or anyone else connected to sports, you may have legal options. Get a free case review to see where you stand.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Sexual Abuse in Sports?
Sports and coach sexual abuse lawsuits can be filed against the abuser and any organization that failed to protect the athlete. Organizations often have the insurance and resources to compensate survivors, even when the abuser doesn't.
Parties that may be responsible for sexual abuse in sports include:
- Abusers: Coaches, assistant coaches, athletic trainers, team doctors, chaperones, volunteers, and teammates
- Schools and Universities: Public school districts, private and boarding schools, colleges, and athletic departments
- Clubs and Gyms: Private gyms, travel teams, and youth sports clubs
- Sports Organizations: National governing bodies, youth leagues, and organizations like the AAU
- Professional Teams and Leagues: Teams, owners, and leagues that ignored reports of abuse
- Event Organizers and Sponsors: Companies and nonprofits that run camps, showcases, and tournaments
Our sports sexual assault lawyers can work to hold institutions liable for negligent hiring, failing to supervise staff, ignoring complaints, failing to report abuse, or covering up abuse to protect their reputations.
How to File a Sports Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Survivors of sports sexual abuse may be able to file civil lawsuits against those who harmed them or failed to protect them. Unlike criminal cases, civil lawsuits are filed by survivors to seek compensation, and they can move forward even if the abuser was never charged with a crime.
At Sokolove Law, we understand how hard it can be to come forward, especially when the abuser was a respected coach or the program is beloved in your community. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Our youth sports sexual abuse lawyers can:
- Provide a free case review to help you understand your legal rights and options
- Collect evidence like team records, medical files, SafeSport reports, messages, and witness statements
- Identify every responsible party, including schools, clubs, and governing bodies
- File your sports sexual assault lawsuit before any legal deadlines
- Negotiate a settlement with the defendant(s)
- Represent you in court in the rare event that your case goes to trial
What happened to you was not your fault. Whether the abuse happened last season or decades ago, you deserve to be heard.
"If someone has taken advantage of you or made you feel unsafe, you should be speaking to a lawyer, someone like me at Sokolove Law, so that you can be provided with your options because you have them."
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney of Sokolove Law
Title IX Claims for Student-Athletes
Title IX is a federal law that bans sex discrimination in schools that receive federal funding. Courts have held that this includes a duty to respond to sexual harassment and assault.
When a school or university knows about sexual abuse and responds with "deliberate indifference," student-athletes may be able to file a Title IX lawsuit. Title IX claims have been central to sports abuse cases against Baylor, Ohio State, and Indiana University.
Our sports coach sexual abuse attorneys can determine whether you may have a Title IX claim in addition to other legal claims under state law.
Statute of Limitations for Sports Sexual Abuse Claims
Statutes of limitations set deadlines for filing sexual abuse lawsuits. These deadlines vary by state and may depend on the survivor's age at the time of the abuse, when they realized they were harmed, and whether the defendant is a public institution.
Many states now give survivors more time. Some have extended their deadlines for child sexual abuse claims or opened temporary "lookback windows," while Maryland and other states have eliminated time limits entirely.
Our sexual abuse in youth sports lawyers can help you understand which deadlines apply to your case, so contact us as soon as possible.
Why Does Sexual Abuse Happen in Sports?
Sports create a unique combination of power, trust, and physical closeness that predators can exploit. Regardless of the cause, schools, clubs, and sports organizations have a duty to put safeguards in place to protect athletes.
Sexual abuse in sports often happens because of:
- Power imbalances: Coaches control playing time, scholarships, and careers, which can make athletes afraid to say no or speak up.
- One-on-one access: Private lessons, training sessions, and medical treatments can leave athletes alone with adults.
- Physical contact: Some sports involve touching for spotting, stretching, or treatment, which abusers can use as cover.
- Travel and overnight trips: Tournaments and road trips can separate athletes from their parents.
- "Win at all costs" culture: Programs may protect successful coaches or star players to keep winning.
- Limited oversight: Many youth programs rely on volunteers and don't run background checks or train staff.
- Gaps between organizations: A coach banned by one sports body may still be able to work for another.
- Fear of retaliation: Athletes may worry about being benched, cut, or labeled a troublemaker.
When organizations fail to address these risks, a sports sexual abuse lawsuit can hold them accountable and push for stronger protections.
How Sports Organizations Cover Up Sexual Abuse
In many of the largest sports abuse scandals, the abuse continued because officials ignored warnings or worked to keep allegations quiet. These institutional cover-ups often follow a similar pattern.
Common ways sports organizations have mishandled abuse include:
- Ignoring early warnings: Ohio State officials knew about Dr. Richard Strauss's abuse as early as 1979, about a year after he started.
- Delaying action to protect the season: Chicago Blackhawks leaders waited until the end of the 2010 playoffs to deal with the allegations against video coach Brad Aldrich.
- Interfering with investigations: Baylor's football coaches and staff were found to have impeded school and possibly criminal investigations into sexual assault allegations involving football players.
- Passing predators along: After leaving the Blackhawks, Brad Aldrich went on to work for USA Hockey, Notre Dame, and Miami University in Ohio.
- Denying survivors' claims: The Blackhawks called a sexual assault survivor's allegations meritless as late as May 2021, before apologizing.
- Silencing survivors: Some organizations use nondisclosure agreements or arbitration clauses that keep abuse claims out of public court.
Sports sexual abuse lawyers can uncover what an organization knew and when. That evidence can expose a cover-up and help survivors secure the accountability they deserve.
How Common Is Sexual Assault in Sports?
Sexual abuse in sports is far more common than many parents and athletes realize, and many cases are never reported. Abuse has been documented across youth leagues, high school and college athletics, and elite and Olympic-level programs.
Find out about key sports sexual abuse statistics:
- Nearly 11% of athletes have experienced unwanted sexual contact or sexually explicit behavior in sports, and more than one-third have received unwanted sexual comments or looks, according to a 2024 SafeSport survey.
- Coaches and assistant coaches were the most common perpetrators of nonconsensual sexual touching, followed by other athletes.
- 93% of those who experienced sexual harassment or unwanted contact never reported it, according to an earlier SafeSport survey of nearly 4,000 athletes in more than 50 sports.
- Of the athletes in that survey who reported inappropriate sexual contact, 18% said they faced retaliation for coming forward.
- More than 50% indicated that some or all of the sexual abuse they experienced happened when they were minors.
- In a U.S. study of elite athletes who were sexually assaulted as minors in sports, 61% said the abuser was an adult authority figure, usually a coach, with 44% reporting abuse by a peer.
- Studies estimate that 14% to 29% of athletes experience at least 1 form of sexual violence in sports before turning 18.
- The U.S. Center for SafeSport received nearly 9,700 reports of sexual abuse and misconduct in 2025 alone — roughly a 20% increase from 2024.
These numbers likely underestimate the true scope of the problem. Many athletes don't report abuse because they fear losing their spot on the team, aren't believed, or don't realize what happened was abuse until years later.
Get Help from Our Sports Sexual Abuse Attorneys
No athlete should ever have to choose between their safety and their dreams. Sadly, schools, clubs, and sports organizations have failed to protect athletes for decades, often to protect winning programs and big names.
At Sokolove Law, we have the resources to take on powerful universities, sports organizations, and their insurers.
Find out why survivors choose our sports sexual abuse lawyers:
- Over 45 years of experience fighting for survivors of abuse
- No upfront costs or hourly fees
- Able to help survivors in all 50 states
- Compassionate case managers, including women on staff
- More than $10.6 Billion total secured for our clients
If you or a loved one was sexually abused in sports, you deserve justice. Call (800) 995-1212 right now or fill out our contact form for a free, no-obligation case review.
Sports Coach Sexual Abuse Attorney FAQs
Can I sue a coach for sexual abuse?
Yes. Survivors can file civil lawsuits against coaches who sexually abused them. You may also be able to sue the school, club, or sports organization that hired the coach or failed to stop the abuse.
Even if the coach was never criminally charged, you may still have legal options. Get a free case review now to see if our sports sexual abuse attorneys may be able to help.
Can I sue a team doctor or athletic trainer for sexual abuse?
Yes. Some of the largest sports sexual abuse settlements have involved team doctors and trainers who abused athletes during exams or treatments. These include Larry Nassar at Michigan State, Robert Anderson at the University of Michigan, and Richard Strauss at Ohio State.
If a team doctor or trainer touched you inappropriately while claiming to provide medical care, our medical sexual abuse lawyers may be able to help.
How common is sexual abuse in sports?
Sadly, sexual abuse in sports is far too common. In a SafeSport survey, nearly 11% of athletes reported unwanted sexual contact or sexually explicit behavior in sports. Most athletes who are abused never report it, so the true number is likely higher.
How much are sports sexual abuse settlements?
Sports sexual abuse settlements vary widely. Individual cases have resolved for anywhere from tens of thousands of dollars to multimillion-dollar verdicts. Large group settlements, like Michigan State's $500 Million Larry Nassar settlement, have resolved hundreds of claims at once.
While there's never a guarantee of compensation in any case, our team fights to maximize payouts for our clients. Call (800) 995-1212 to learn more.
What should I do if my child was sexually abused by a coach?
If your child was sexually abused by a coach, take steps to protect their safety, get medical and emotional support, and report the abuse to authorities.
It can be important to:
- Keep your child away from the coach, including at practices, lessons, and through texts or social media
- Listen calmly and believe your child, without pushing for details they aren't ready to share
- Report the abuse to law enforcement or child protective services, and to SafeSport if the coach is part of an Olympic sport
- Get medical care and counseling for your child from professionals experienced in child abuse
- Save evidence like messages, photos, schedules, and team communications
- Speak with a sexual abuse lawyer to learn about your family's legal options
What happened is not your child's fault, and it's not your fault either. Our team can help your family understand your options at your own pace.
What are the warning signs of sexual abuse in sports?
Warning signs often involve a coach or staff member breaking down normal boundaries with an athlete.
Signs of sexual abuse in sports can include:
- Communicating privately through texts or social media
- Discouraging athletes from telling their parents what happens at practice
- Insisting on one-on-one time
- Offering rides
- Providing "treatments" that involve private areas
- Singling out one athlete for special attention or gifts
- Unnecessary physical contact
Sudden changes in an athlete's mood, sleep, or interest in their sport can also be signs that something is wrong.
Is hazing considered sexual abuse?
It can be. Hazing that involves unwanted sexual contact, forced nudity, or sexual acts may be considered sexual assault. Schools and teams may be held liable when they fail to supervise locker rooms, team trips, and other activities where hazing occurs.
Does sexual abuse happen more in individual sports?
Sexual abuse can happen in any sport, whether athletes compete individually or as part of a team. Cases have been reported in gymnastics, swimming, figure skating, football, soccer, basketball, wrestling, and many other sports.
Certain circumstances may increase the risk of abuse, such as one-on-one coaching, frequent travel, limited supervision, or a coach having significant control over an athlete's career. However, these situations can occur in both individual and team sports.
The most important factor isn't the type of sport but whether organizations have strong safeguards in place to protect athletes, recognize warning signs, and respond appropriately to reports of abuse.
Can I sue SafeSport or a sports governing body?
Potentially. Survivors have filed lawsuits against national governing bodies like USA Gymnastics and USA Swimming, as well as against the U.S. Center for SafeSport, claiming they failed to act on reports of abuse.
These cases can be complex, and courts have reached different conclusions about when governing bodies owe a duty to protect athletes. An experienced youth sports sexual abuse attorney at Sokolove Law can review your situation and determine which parties may be responsible for the harm you suffered.
Can I file a lawsuit if the abuse happened years ago?
Potentially. Many states have extended their statutes of limitations or created lookback windows for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This means you may still be able to file a lawsuit, even if the abuse happened decades ago.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to find out if you may still be able to take legal action. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Can I file a sports sexual abuse lawsuit anonymously?
In many cases, yes. Many survivors file sexual abuse lawsuits under a pseudonym like "Jane Doe" or "John Doe" to protect their privacy. Our attorneys can explain the options available in your state and work to keep your identity private.
What is SafeSport, and should I report abuse to them?
The U.S. Center for SafeSport investigates abuse and misconduct in Olympic and Paralympic sports. It can suspend or ban coaches and officials, but it cannot award compensation to survivors.
Reporting to SafeSport, law enforcement, or both is a personal decision. Filing a SafeSport report does not replace a civil lawsuit, and you can pursue a lawsuit whether or not you file a report.
How much do sports sexual abuse lawyers charge?
At Sokolove Law, there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our sports sexual abuse lawyers. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us now to get started.
