Can I Sue A Daycare Or Preschool For Sex Abuse?

Daycare and preschool are great resources for working parents. They provide a safe place for children to be cared for, develop skills, and socialize with others while their parents are away at work. But, what happens when your child care option is no longer a safe one?

While child sex abuse in a daycare or preschool is not common, it still does happen. If you believe that your child may be a victim of sexual abuse from their daycare provider, continue reading to learn more about whether you can sue a daycare or preschool for sex abuse. 

Past Daycare and Preschool Abuse Cases

Unfortunately, daycare and preschool abuse is not a new occurrence. During the 1980s and 1990s, a “daycare sex abuse hysteria” ran rampant through the United States. Several cases of sex abuse in daycares and preschools were revealed throughout the two decades. Details of the abuses were graphic and gruesome. 

Today, sex abuse in daycares does still happen. In 2020, over 2,000 daycare providers maltreated the children they looked after. This number was 22% higher in 2019, and the decrease is most likely due to fewer children going to daycare because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Signs of Abuse in Preschoolers

How can you tell if your child is experiencing sexual abuse at preschool? There are several signs that your toddler might be displaying that point to abuse. There are many signs of abuse or neglect in children. Keep an eye out for some of these more common signs for preschoolers: 

• Unusual knowledge of sex. 
• Genital itching, pain, or bleeding.
• Unexplained physical injuries (bruises, cuts, scratches, etc.). 
• Excessive crying. 
• Pain while walking or sitting. 
• Poor reactions to specific teachers or caregivers. 

If you notice one or more of these signs in your child and suspect possible abuse at their preschool or daycare, it is crucial to look more into the situation. If you think your child has experienced sexual abuse, you may want to talk to a doctor as soon as possible. You may even consider taking your child out of the program until you figure things out.

How does Abuse at a Preschool or Daycare Happen?

People send their children to daycare and preschool expecting them to be well taken care of and safe. Some parents even spend weeks researching the best preschools to send their kids to. Unfortunately, abuse can still happen without parents or guardians even knowing it. Abuse at a preschool or daycare can occur in any of the following ways: 

• Inappropriate touching
• Grooming
• Sexual assault
• Manipulation
• Bullying

Adults who abuse children know what they’re doing, and they can often control children in ways that prevent parents from knowing what has happened. That is why it is crucial to pay attention to the signs your child is giving you and hire the right child abuse lawyer when the time comes. 

Get A Free Case Review

If you think that your child was abused at daycare, it is essential to know your legal options. The Massey Law Firm is dedicated to helping our clients get the justice they deserve. Give our office a call today at 602-955-0055, and a member of our team will give you a free case review. We’ll talk to you about the details of your case and discuss your options for the next steps. While we can’t always ease the emotional burden of an experience, we’ll work as hard as possible to get you and your child the proper justice and financial compensation.