When Authority is Abused: Civil Claims Against Trusted Professionals

When people think about sexual assault, their minds often go to stranger attacks or isolated acts of violence. But many sexual misconduct cases arise in a very different context: the perpetrator is not a stranger, but someone the victim was taught to trust, respect, or depend upon.

Students trust their teachers and coaches to guide and protect them. Patients trust doctors with their bodies and health. Families trust caregivers with vulnerable loved ones. These relationships are built on authority and an expectation of safety.

Sexual misconduct committed by trusted professionals carries a uniquely devastating form of harm because the abuse involves not only a physical or sexual violation, but also the exploitation of this trust.

At Plakas Mannos, we represent survivors in civil cases involving sexual assault, sexual harassment, and abuse committed by individuals in positions of authority. Our sexual assault lawyers and sexual abuse lawyers understand the lasting harm caused when authority figures exploit positions of trust. In many of these cases, the sexual misconduct did not occur in isolation, but developed within environments where warning signs were overlooked and institutions failed to intervene when they had the duty to do so. 

Psychological and Emotional Manipulation Often Precede Physical Misconduct

Sexual misconduct involving trusted professionals usually does not begin with an overt assault. Especially in cases of relationships with power imbalances, such as that of a teacher and student, there is a gradual “grooming” that escalates over time. Sexual grooming is a manipulative process in which a perpetrator builds a relationship with their desired victim for the purpose of exploiting them. This tactic involves creating a feeling of trust through favoritism, mentorship, and emotional dependence. Perpetrators may slowly test boundaries with inappropriate behavior disguised as affection and support.

Grooming can involve increasingly personal communications, requests to “keep secrets,” isolation from family and friends, and special treatment. Targets of grooming tactics are subjected to psychologically complex conditioning that is far more nuanced than commonly understood. Individuals in positions of authority use emotional manipulation, dependency, and threats of harm to maintain silence. An experienced sexual abuse lawyer can investigate grooming behavior and patterns of manipulation that contributed to the abuse. 

Survivors Frequently Delay Reporting for Understandable Reasons

A persistent misconception in sexual misconduct cases is the assumption that a credible victim would immediately come forward. In reality, delayed reporting is extremely common, especially where the perpetrator occupied a position of trust or authority in the survivor’s life. Many survivors fear retaliation, humiliation, professional consequences, or disbelief.

A student may fear jeopardizing educational opportunities. An employee may worry about losing a job or damaging a career. A patient may fear losing access to medical care. Children and vulnerable adults may not fully understand the misconduct until years later.

Trauma itself can also affect memory, reporting, and emotional processing. Survivors often spend significant time attempting to rationalize or minimize what occurred before ultimately recognizing the conduct as abusive.

These dynamics are not signs that misconduct did not occur, but consistent with the very power imbalances that allowed the abuse to happen in the first place.  

Institutions Sometimes Protect Respected Individuals Instead of Victims

Civil litigation frequently reveals that institutions were aware of concerns long before formal action was taken. Schools, hospitals, religious orders, athletic programs, and care facilities may choose to ignore complaints or fail to conduct actual investigations in order to protect individuals they view as valuable to their organization.

This pattern has played out publicly in cases involving clergy abuse, physician misconduct, athletic organizations, schools, and workplace harassment. This protection of “respected” individuals can permit misconduct to continue for years after institutions were placed on notice of concerning behavior, exposing additional individuals to harm in the process. An experienced sexual assault lawyer may investigate whether an institution ignored complaints, failed to report misconduct, or protected an authority figure accused of abuse. 

Civil Claims May Extend Beyond the Individual Wrongdoer

Civil cases involving sexual misconduct do not have to be limited to claims against the perpetrator. Institutions those in positions of authority at these institutions themselves bear responsibility when they failed to take reasonable steps to protect individuals from foreseeable harm.

These cases often involve extensive factual investigation into what the institution knew, when it knew it, and whether reasonable action could have prevented further harm. 

A Trauma-Informed, Trial-Ready Approach Matters

At Plakas Mannos, we approach these matters with seriousness, discretion, and an understanding of the unique dynamics involved in trauma-related cases. Our team includes a former prosecutor who handled criminal sexual assault matters and received trauma-informed training. That experience informs how we investigate claims, prepare cases, and anticipate the defenses commonly raised against survivors.

We understand that coming forward is rarely easy. For many survivors, simply speaking about what occurred can feel overwhelming, particularly where the perpetrator held a position of authority or trust.

Meeting with an attorney does not obligate you to make a claim, but understanding your legal rights and options is an important first step toward determining what accountability can look like.

If you or someone you love has experienced sexual assault or abuse, Plakas Mannos is here to help. To confidentially request more information or schedule a consultation, call 330-455-6112 or visit our Sexual Assault & Harassment practice area page. 

About the Authors

Megan J. Frantz Oldham is a partner and attorney at Plakas Mannos where she focuses on litigation for sexual assault & sexual harassment, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, personal injury, wrongful death, and other practice areas. Elisabeth C. Jackson is an associate attorney, focusing on sexual assault & sexual harassment, personal injury, wrongful death, criminal law, and general litigation.