New Jersey Youth Sports Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Youth sports are meant to build character, teamwork, and resilience in young athletes. But when a trusted coach, trainer, or volunteer uses their position of authority to commit sexual abuse, the consequences are profound. Survivors of sexual abuse in youth sports settings often carry trauma well into adulthood, burdened by shame, fear, and confusion. In New Jersey, survivors of child sexual abuse committed by individuals within sports organizations have the right to pursue justice through both the civil and criminal justice system.
Greenberg Gross LLP represents survivors of sexual abuse with compassion, determination, and unwavering support. Our law firm is dedicated to holding sports organizations accountable and seeking justice for young athletes who were sexually abused while participating in amateur or organized sports. If you or someone you love has experienced abuse in a sports setting, our attorneys are here to guide you through the legal process and help you recover compensation for the harm inflicted.
The Hidden Crisis of Sexual Abuse in Youth Sports
Sexual abuse within youth sports is a systemic issue that has been underreported for decades. Cases involving well-known sports teams, coaches, and institutions have revealed how abuse occurred behind closed doors—in locker rooms, training facilities, and private homes—while organizations failed to act. In New Jersey, numerous survivors of sexual abuse have come forward with reports of sexual assault and misconduct by authority figures involved in sports.
Abuse can take many forms, from inappropriate touching to sexual assault or sexual harassment. Often, children are groomed over time, manipulated into silence, or threatened with retaliation if they speak out. Many survivors do not realize the extent of the abuse until years later, especially when the perpetrator is someone they were taught to trust and admire.
Sexual predators exploit the trust and access granted to them in youth sports environments. The very systems that should protect children—from youth organizations to private schools to sports teams—sometimes ignore complaints or allow accused individuals to continue working with minors. These negligent parties must be held accountable for the harm caused.
Legal Options for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Youth Sports
Survivors of child sexual abuse in youth sports may pursue justice through civil litigation. A civil lawsuit allows survivors to seek financial compensation and expose institutions that failed to uphold their legal duty to protect young athletes. These civil sexual abuse cases are about more than money—they offer a platform for truth, accountability, and change.
New Jersey law has evolved to support survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Under New Jersey’s updated law (S477, enacted in 2019), survivors of childhood sexual abuse can file civil lawsuits until age 55, or within 7 years of discovering that the abuse caused them harm—whichever is later. This extended statute of limitations gives adult survivors more time to come forward, even if the abuse occurred decades ago. This change allows older survivors to take legal action, as long as the emotional and psychological impact remains.
A survivor may choose to pursue criminal charges as well, though this process is separate from civil cases. Civil lawsuits target the individuals and institutions responsible, including coaches, medical professionals, administrators, and sports organizations that ignored reports or failed to take action. Our attorneys help survivors navigate both legal systems with clarity and strength.
Filing a Civil Lawsuit Against Sports Organizations and Negligent Parties
When abuse occurs in youth sports settings, the institutions that allowed it to happen must be held accountable. Whether the abuse occurred during practices, travel events, or unsupervised sessions, sports organizations bear responsibility for ensuring a safe environment. Civil lawsuits can target multiple negligent parties, including league officials, school administrators, or even private facilities that failed to prevent sexual abuse.
Civil sexual abuse claims often involve detailed investigations into the organization’s knowledge of prior abuse allegations, hiring practices, supervision policies, and communication records. If a pattern of negligence is discovered—such as prior complaints being ignored or abusers being transferred rather than removed—the institution may be liable for damages.
Survivors can recover compensation for therapy costs, medical expenses, emotional trauma, and other long-term effects. In some cases, financial compensation may include punitive damages to penalize organizations for their willful disregard of safety. Filing a civil lawsuit also helps expose patterns of institutional abuse and pressures organizations to implement reforms that prevent future harm.
Supporting Young Athletes and Adult Survivors
The effects of sexual abuse in youth sports can last well beyond childhood. Survivors often face emotional distress, disrupted academic performance, social isolation, and difficulty forming healthy relationships. Many adult survivors only begin to process what happened years later, after experiencing anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Greenberg Gross LLP is committed to supporting both current and former child athletes who experienced abuse in youth sports. Whether you were abused by a coach, medical professional, or another member of a sports team, you deserve to be heard and protected. Our attorneys have experience handling sensitive civil sexual abuse cases with empathy and discretion.
Taking legal action is not only about seeking compensation—it is about reclaiming your voice and demanding accountability. We represent survivors with the care and commitment needed to pursue justice in a supportive environment.
Preventing Future Abuse Through Accountability
Every sports organization in New Jersey has a legal and ethical obligation to provide a safe environment for young athletes. That includes proper training, background checks, supervision policies, and clear reporting procedures. When these responsibilities are ignored, and abuse occurs, the consequences extend far beyond the individual case.
Civil lawsuits are a tool for change. They pressure institutions to examine their failures and establish stronger safeguards to prevent sexual abuse. Holding abusers and negligent institutions accountable sends a clear message: survivors will be heard, and those who failed them will be brought to justice.
If you are a survivor of sexual violence in a sports setting, or if you are a parent of a child athlete who experienced abuse, taking that first step can feel overwhelming. But you are not alone. Our attorneys are here to support you with experienced legal guidance and a firm commitment to justice.
Start With a Confidential Consultation
At Greenberg Gross LLP, we believe every survivor of sexual abuse deserves legal representation and a chance to pursue justice on their terms. We offer a confidential consultation to discuss your case, answer questions, and help you understand your legal rights. There is no cost and no pressure—only support.
If you or your child has been sexually abused in a New Jersey youth sports program, you may be eligible to file claims and recover compensation. The harm inflicted on young athletes is not just a personal tragedy—it is a failure of systems meant to protect them. Legal action can bring that failure to light and ensure it never happens again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a lawsuit even if the abuse happened years ago?
Yes. Thanks to a 2019 law, some survivors can now file a civil lawsuit until age 55, or within 7 years of discovering the connection between the abuse and its impact. Even if the abuse happened long ago, you may still qualify under the current statute.
What if the organization ignored previous abuse complaints?
If a sports organization failed to investigate or act on earlier allegations, they may be held liable for enabling further abuse. Your legal team can help gather forensic evidence, witness statements, and communication records to support your claim.
What kind of compensation is available?
Survivors may recover compensation for therapy, medical expenses, emotional suffering, and, in some cases, punitive damages. The legal process is designed to address both tangible and intangible harm.
Do I have to go through the criminal justice system?
No. Civil cases are separate from criminal proceedings. While you may choose to pursue criminal charges, a civil lawsuit allows you to control the process and focus on compensation and accountability.
How do I get started?
Reach out to schedule a confidential consultation with an attorney. At Greenberg Gross LLP, we are here to support you, explain your legal options, and help you seek justice in a safe, respectful space.