CHICAGO, IL – In recent years, media began to cover the sexual misconduct occurring within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system. The number of police reports of sexual assault and abuse of children inside schools in 2017 has not declined in recent years.
An internal CPS document revealed a total of 430 reported incidents of sexual assault, abuse and harassment in the past seven years. Approximately 230 of those reported incidents led to evidence of teachers and school employees committing sexual misconduct.
Stories of abuse
Morgan Aranda reported a teacher at Payton College Prep for kissing her face and touching her inappropriately when she was just 14-years-old. The teacher was ultimately dismissed. Aranda spoke to the Chicago Tribune to encourage others to speak up about abuse.
“If more survivors speak out about their assaults, ultimately fewer students will be harmed,” she said.
In another circumstance, Simeon Career Academy failed to conduct a mandated criminal background check before hiring Gerald Gaddy, also known as “Coach Babyface,” as an assistant coach of the boys wrestling and girls track teams starting in 2010. The following year when officials finally looked into the coach, the district’s Office of School Safety and Security sent an urgent email to Simeon’s principals stressing that Gaddy should not be allowed near students.
“This person MUST NOT perform volunteer work,” Chicago Public Schools employee Luz DeLuna wrote in the email to Simeon.
Instead, Gaddy became a prominent presence within the school, a South Side prosperous coach turning players into NBA superstars and competed for state trophies. Gaddy was eventually given a master key to the school classroom and offices.
In one of those offices, as reported by the Chicago Tribune, was a secluded space overlooking the school’s Olympic-sized pool where he would rape a 16-year-old athlete and repeatedly tell her “I want to see tears in your eyes.”
Gaddy subjected at least 6 more students to unwanted sexual touches and frightening sexual come-ons in a pattern of abuse that lasted for more than a year, according to police reports.
The hard-hitting statistics
Chicago Board of Education Inspector General Will Fletcher reported 470 sexual complaints against Chicago Public School employees from students in 2022. The report details students being abuse, groomed, assaulted, threatened and groped by school officials or staff.
The Office of Inspector General (OIP) recommended disciplinary actions for any administer or staff who failed to report complaints of abuse. In total, there were more than 1,800 complaints received last year covering the sexual allegations, misappropriation of funds, bulling and other bad conduct. There were 725 investigated.
Who can be held responsible for sexual misconduct?
In short, several potential defendants can be named in a sexual misconduct lawsuit. Any person who committed the wrongful act including employers, organizations and others in power of authority over the abuser may be held legally liable.
In many cases, taking taking action against the organization that was negligent in preventing the sexual misconduct is a wise choice; however, you should consult with an experienced sexual misconduct attorney in Chicago, Illinois immediately. A skilled lawyer will be able to look at the facts, and explain who can be named in a lawsuit.
The Dinizulu Law Group is here to help you!
If you or someone you love has been a victim of sexual misconduct, we understand wanting to take action against your abuser and holding them accountable. The Chicago sexual misconduct attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group understand how emotionally draining these types of claims can be, and are here to support and assist you every steps of the way. Our skilled attorneys will provide you with top quality legal representation and give your case the care and attention it deserves.
To receive a free consultation, call us now at (312) 382-1920.
