Cheerleader Sexual Abuse Lawyers Fighting for Justice Across the U.S.

Top U.S. cheerleader groups are being accused of failing to protect minors from sexual offenders affiliated with these groups. If you or someone you love has been sexually abused while involved in cheerleading, discuss your case with a cheerleader sexual abuse attorney at Greg Jones Law.

The sexual abuse of minors in cheerleading activities is widespread. An investigation by USA Today found that the U.S. All-Star Federation (USASF) and USA Cheer allowed 180 people previously accused of sexual misconduct with minors to participate in cheerleading activities.

If you or anyone you love has experienced sexual abuse committed by an employee or a member of a cheerleading organization or a cheerleading gym, you may be able to hold that person and that organization or gym accountable with a lawsuit and recover monetary compensation.

What Is the Jerry Harris Story?

Jerry Harris is a former cheerleader and television celebrity. He became nationally known after appearing in the 2020 Netflix documentary series Cheer. In September 2020, Harris was arrested after he had allegedly solicited sex from twin boys who were 13. He was 19 at the time.

A lawsuit filed on behalf of the twins named the organizations that had allegedly received reports about sex abuse committed by Harris. The lawsuit claims that the boys are now “limited in their ability to meaningfully interact with others due to the trauma of childhood sexual abuse.”

The lawsuit seeks over $1 million in damages from Cheer Athletics, USASF, and Varsity Spirit. In December 2020, it was reported that Harris faced seven more charges involving sexual incidents with four other minors he had met through cheerleading from 2017 through 2020.

It is important to remember that Harris is only one of 180 people accused of sexually abusing minors who were allowed to continue to participate in cheerleading. Almost 4 million young people from kindergarten through college are involved in cheerleading in the United States.

What Do Sexual Abuse Survivors Face?

The sexual abuse of minors is too often covered up or unreported. Many victims may be afraid to come forward. Parents whose children are involved in cheerleading have legitimate reasons for concern.

Sexual abuse survivors face difficult psychological challenges. The sexual abuse of a minor almost always causes emotional damage. Childhood sexual abuse victims frequently struggle as adults with personal relationships and substance abuse issues.

Survivors may bring a lawsuit against an abuser in civil court and/or seek criminal prosecution. If you report a criminal complaint of the sexual abuse of a minor, the perpetrator could be found guilty and sentenced to jail or prison.

However, if a sexual abuse incident happened years ago, finding evidence and reliable witnesses may be impractical or impossible, and it may be difficult to win a conviction. In fact, without strong evidence or credible witnesses, most prosecutors will not file criminal charges.

Should You File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Nevertheless, the sexual abuse of children can never be tolerated. If the time has passed, a lawsuit in a civil court for monetary compensation may be less difficult to win than a criminal conviction, which requires proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Proof beyond a reasonable doubt isn’t required in a civil case, but you and your lawyer still must prove it is “more likely than not” that the abuse happened. Additionally, a criminal conviction does not provide the compensation that survivors may need for counseling and treatment costs.

Moreover, if institutional abuse or negligence is uncovered during the investigation of a sexual abuse incident, a civil lawsuit may be the only way to hold that particular organization liable and to fix the problems within that organization that led to, allowed, or fostered sexual abuse.

When Should You Speak to an Attorney At Greg Jones Law?

Has your child told you that he or she is a sexual abuse victim? Or do you suspect that your child is being abused? To speak with a sexual abuse attorney at Greg Jones Law, you don’t need conclusive proof of sexual abuse. If you have sound reasons to suspect sexual abuse, call now.

We know how to win justice for sexual abuse victims. Greg Jones Law is a national personal injury law firm. Our sexual abuse attorneys know that the process of pursuing justice may seem daunting to you, but the Greg Jones Law legal team has a proven track record of success.

If you or someone you love has been sexually abused by an employee or a member of a cheerleading organization, or if you have a reasonable suspicion of sexual abuse, contact Greg Jones Law at once.

Reach our legal team from anywhere in the United States by calling 855-566-3752. We answer the phones 24 hours a day, every day. An attorney at Greg Jones Law will provide a free case evaluation and suggest the best way for a sexual abuse victim to move forward and win justice.