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Sexual abuse of children at summer camps is disturbingly prevalent. If you or a loved one suffered sexual abuse at a camp, or you’re concerned about the safety of summer camps, this article gives you all the information you’ll need to make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Additionally, Herman Law is available to answer any questions you might have after reading this article and guide you through the steps to take if you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at a summer or day camp.
At Herman Law, our mission is to help victims heal by giving them a voice through civil litigation. Start your path towards justice and healing with a member of our team — confidentially and with care.
Throughout the U.S., the sexual abuse of boys and girls in camps is rampant. Victims of camp sexual abuse filed more than 500 reports over the years. In one recent year, authorities identified 21 cases. These numbers are telling, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. The true extent of the problem remains unknown because research shows at least 60 percent of incidents go unreported.
Truly shocking cases of camp sexual abuse include:
Children frequent these overnight camps in Missouri and other parts of the country. One of the camp counselors, who eventually became the camp director, sexually abused boys at the camp for years. Estimates put the number of abused campers at 19 to over one hundred. The child molester received a life sentence for his crimes.
Other Christian summer camps, in addition to Kanakuk Kamps, have been accused of abuse happening at their properties. Authorities arrested a staffer at a camp in Arizona for the alleged inappropriate touching of a victim.
An employee at an Atlanta area camp faced charges for the sexual abuse of multiple campers aged five through 11 from 2016 to 2018.
Camp counselors and other staff members who sexually assault minors can be held liable or found guilty per different laws or legal standards. The camps themselves can also share liability.
Courts and victims can punish perpetrators of child sexual assault in two ways. First, the abuser can face criminal charges for the crime of sexual assault. If found guilty, they’re subject to sentencing and penalties. Second, they might face civil liability. If an employee or the facility acts unreasonably or wrongfully, they can be civilly liable and subjected to large jury verdicts awarding compensatory relief to their victims for past, present, and future damages directly stemming from the abuse.
Employees committing sexual assault can be found liable for the tort of battery or guilty of sexual assault. Battery occurs when the defendant engages in the harmful or offensive touching of another person. Criminal sexual assault occurs when the defendant touches an intimate part of a victim against their will for sexual arousal or gratification. If found guilty, penalties vary by state, but most sexual assault offenders spend years in prison and have to register as sex offenders.
The camp itself can be found liable for sexual assault of a minor under negligence or vicarious liability legal theories. They might be negligent if they fail to take adequate precautions in the hiring and supervision of employees. For example, reasonable safeguards include background checks of prospective employees and appropriate investigation and reporting of current employees if abuse is suspected or described.
Vicarious liability holds employers civilly liable for the wrongful acts of their employees. If an employee commits a sexual assault while working at the facility, the camp itself can be imputed a share of the responsibility for that person’s wrongful actions. This shared liability can occur even if no one owning or operating the camp committed the same or enabling wrong behaviors.
Both parents and camp owners, operators, and employees can take steps to prevent the risk and occurrence of sexual abuse at summer camps.
Parents
Here are some precautions parents can take to prevent camp sex abuse:
Body parts
Teach children the names of their body parts, even their private parts. Then, if something inappropriate happens, it’s easier for them to tell you exactly what occurred and what parts were touched or harmed.
Camps
Camp directors can take many steps to prevent the sexual abuse of children at their facilities, including:
First and foremost, employers must thoroughly screen prospective employees to exclude those with criminal records, especially involving harm to children or other warning signs. Proper screening includes:
There must be sufficient staff to supervise children adequately. Industry standards from the American Camp Association are as follows:
Employees and volunteers should undergo training on the topic of child sexual assault. It’s important to know how to recognize and prevent it and learn detailed procedures for responding to it when it’s suspected or stated.
Camps must have a detailed policy about reporting. If a camper complains of inappropriate behavior, camp directors must not attempt to handle the situation internally. Instead, they should report the incident to law enforcement authorities immediately.
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Rules put in place for interaction between staff and campers are essential, including:
If you suspect your child is in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, if you believe sexual abuse occurred earlier, contact your local authorities, preferably in person. You may also call or chat with the National Sexual Assault Hotline for further guidance and counseling services.
Yes. No remedy is available to undo the horror of child sexual assault, but a lawyer can help the victim and their family receive compensation for injuries and pain and suffering.
A victim of camp sexual abuse can hire an attorney to file a civil legal action for battery and similar torts. Remedies available for these claims include compensatory and punitive damages.
Compensatory damages are both monetary and non-monetary. Generally, medical experts assist lawyers in estimating the amount of damages incurred due to the perpetrator’s wrongful actions.
Monetary awards compensate the victim for actual and expected financial losses associated with the abuse. For children who suffered sexual abuse, medical treatment and counseling usually make up the crux of financial losses. Therapy costs can be extensive and long-term. Medical expenses, both past and future, include:
Non-monetary damages are available for pain and suffering and emotional anguish. Factors affecting this award include:
Violent sexual abuse can result in physical injuries that cause immense pain and harm. Examples include bruises and broken bones.
Some physical injuries take a long time to heal and can be painful long term. Other physical injuries might not ever fully heal.
There’s no formula, but generally, the higher the amount of documented medical costs, the greater the award for pain and suffering.
Emotional anguish refers to conditions like depression and anxiety. This psychological suffering is also compensable.
Sometimes, courts impose punitive damages to punish the sexual abuser for their wrongful actions, especially when they are particularly egregious. These damages might also be available in battery and similar cases.
Compensation can help pay for child sexual abuse survivors’ long road to recovery. Still, no amount of money can make up for the devastation perpetrators’ criminal actions cause victims and their families.
When a camp counselor or other camp employee commits sexual assault against a minor, the state has a limited time to charge the abuser. This restrictive time frame is called the statute of limitations. Starting the day the crime occurs, the clock starts running (i.e., tolling), and when time runs out, the state can no longer prosecute the offender for the crime. A separate statute of limitations also applies to the filing of civil actions. Statutes of limitations vary greatly state-to-state.
Traditionally, a criminal or civil lawsuit for sexual assault would have a statute of limitations of a few years, but in recent years, states have modified their laws for criminal cases in the following ways:
Some states simply eliminated the statute of limitations for sexual assault. For example, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia have no statute of limitations for felony sex crimes. Other states, like California and North Dakota, have abolished it for some but not all sexual assault crimes. States like Arkansas and Hawaii retain a traditional time limitation.
In some jurisdictions, failure to report sex crimes can reduce the statute of limitations. For instance, in Illinois and Washington, if a victim reports a sexual assault, the period to begin a legal action is ten years. Otherwise, without a report, it’s three years. If a victim reports certain sex crimes in Utah, there’s an eight-year period to start legal action. Otherwise, it reverts to four.
Many states extend or abolish the statute of limitations if DNA evidence exists. In Arkansas, for example, DNA evidence eliminates the statute of limitations altogether. In California, courts extend the statute by one year when DNA evidence is present. Other states, like Idaho, have no DNA evidence exception.
Some states, like California and New York, have look-back windows in civil cases. A few years ago, California passed legislation allowing adult survivors of child sexual assault to file a lawsuit that the statute of limitations may have otherwise barred. The law established a three-year window from January 2020 to December 2022. New York passed a similar law.
If you or your child suffered sexual abuse at camp, we are here for you. At Herman Law, we know that dealing with the aftermath of child sexual abuse—including police involvement, state investigations, emotional trauma, and medical issues—can overwhelm you and your family. We can help guide you through the process to seek the compensation you deserve via civil legal remedies to assist in your recovery and continued healing.
Jeff Herman is a nationally recognized attorney and founder of Herman Law, known for his dedication to helping survivors of sexual abuse. With over 35 years of experience, Jeff has represented thousands of clients across the U.S. and secured landmark victories, including a $100 million verdict. He is trained in trauma-informed advocacy and works closely with survivors to guide them through the legal process with care and determination. Jeff is admitted to practice in Florida and New York and leads a team committed to justice and healing.
Speaking up is never easy—but you’re not alone. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, our compassionate team at Herman Law is here to listen, support, and guide you forward. Reach out today in complete confidence.
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