Sexual Abuse in Sports: Holding Coaches & Organizations Accountable
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Sexual abuse in sports is a systemic problem, and survivors deserve justice. At Monsees & Mayer, we help athletes across Missouri and Kansas hold coaches, institutions, and athletic organizations accountable for enabling or covering up abuse.
Sports are meant to build confidence, leadership, and community. But for many young athletes, the playing field has become a place of betrayal and abuse – often at the hands of trusted coaches, trainers, or team officials.
The Reality: Abuse Behind the Whistle
From youth leagues to Olympic-level teams, sexual abuse in sports has come to light in staggering numbers. High-profile cases – like those involving USA Gymnastics or youth football – are not isolated incidents. They’re symptoms of a system that too often:
- Prioritizes wins over safety
- Dismisses complaints
- Fails to vet coaches or enforce boundaries
- Silences survivors to protect reputations
According to SafeSport, nearly 1 in 9 athletes has experienced sexual misconduct in a sports setting.
Can You Sue for Sexual Abuse in Sports?
Yes. Survivors can file civil lawsuits against:
- The perpetrator (coach, trainer, volunteer, teammate)
- The school, league, club, or organization that failed to protect them
- Third parties (e.g., hotels, chaperones, team sponsors)
In many cases, abuse is enabled by the negligent hiring, retention, or supervision of bad actors. Civil lawsuits can accomplish the dual purpose of obtaining compensation for harm suffered and holding organizations accountable for systemic failure.
What Compensation Can Survivors Seek?
While no amount of money can undo the trauma, a civil lawsuit can provide:
Compensatory damages, including:
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish or distress
- Costs for counseling or therapy.
- Lost wages or ability to earn income.
In addition to compensatory damages, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish and deter reckless or egregious conduct.
Our Proven Results
Statute of Limitations in Missouri & Kansas
Laws have changed, and continue to change, to give survivors more time to come forward:
Missouri:
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Survivors of childhood sexual abuse may file a civil lawsuit within ten years after turning 21 — meaning until approximately age 31 — or within three years of discovering that their injury or illness was caused by the abuse, whichever is later. Under this law, nondisclosure agreements related to childhood sexual abuse claims are not enforceable. RSMo. 537.046.
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For adult victims: 5 years from the date of injury. RSMo. 516.120.
Kansas:
- Victims of childhood sexual abuse can file civil claims up until age 31, or 3 years after the date of a criminal conviction, whichever is later. K.S.A 60-523.
- For adults: 2 years from the date of injury. K.S.A. 12-2836
If you’re unsure about deadlines, we can help assess your eligibility — confidentially and with care.
How Monsees & Mayer Builds a Case
Our firm has decades of experience in sexual abuse litigation – including landmark cases involving institutional negligence. We:
- Uncover prior complaints or red flags
- Subpoena documents from third parties
- Hire private investigators and experts
- Work with trauma-informed mental health experts
We’re not just here to file lawsuits. We’re here to create change.
Why Survivors Often Stay Silent - And Why Speaking Up Matters
Shame, fear, and loyalty to a coach or team often prevent survivors from reporting abuse. But silence protects the abuser — and allows patterns of misconduct to continue.
At Monsees & Mayer, we support survivors every step of the way:
- Trauma-informed representation.
- Confidential consultation and communications.
- Advocacy tailored to your healing journey.