Systemic Sexual Abuse
Systemic sexual abuse is a grave violation of trust, dignity, and safety—often inflicted upon society’s most vulnerable: children, the elderly, and the disabled Those accused of systemic abuse often target these groups simply because they believe their actions can remain hidden. When major institutions like schools, religious organizations, trusted community groups, and even correctional facilities choose to protect abusers rather than victims, the cycle of harm continues to grow.
At Breit Biniazan, we know how difficult it is to come forward after experiencing sexual abuse. Choosing to address your abuse head on is a powerful move and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. At Breit Biniazan, we offer compassionate and dedicated legal guidance to survivors of sexual abuse, coupled with a proven track record of holding powerful institutions and individuals accountable.
Our firm has extensive experience representing survivors of sexual abuse, with over 100 survivors in various molestation and sexual abuse cases. Notably, we've represented over a dozen survivors within Southern Baptist churches.
Breit Biniazan was the first firm to name the SBC as a defendant in a lawsuit. This landmark case accused local and state SBC leaders of ignoring or mishandling complaints against a youth minister who was later convicted of sexually abusing 10 young boys.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to fighting for accountability. We will continue to closely monitor the SBC's transparency in reporting known sexual predators, ensuring their actions align with their words.
If you're considering taking legal action, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Systemic sexual abuse is rarely random; in most cases, survivors know their abuser. Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience sexual abuse in their lifetime, often at the hands of respected authority figures like teachers, coaches, doctors, religious leaders, or employers. When those entrusted with care and oversight ignore or conceal this abuse, the entire community feels the devastating effects.
Systemic sexual abuse often includes:
What makes systemic abuse so dangerous is its organized and pervasive nature—it frequently involves multiple perpetrators and multiple victims across a pattern of conduct. Coercion and grooming are, unfortunately, common features, and the trauma inflicted can have lifelong consequences.
These settings often involve authority figures or caretakers who misuse their power, and the institutions themselves may sometimes fail to protect victims or hold abusers accountable. Recognizing the range of places where such abuse can happen is crucial to understanding the systemic nature of this crime.
Systemic sexual abuse can happen in a variety of settings, including:
These environments can unfortunately become places where abuse is enabled by institutional culture, lack of oversight, or deliberate concealment.
Survivors often find it hard to speak out or get justice because these institutions make it complicated and protect abusers. Knowing where abuse happens helps victims and advocates spot patterns and hold those responsible accountable.
Warning signs of systemic abuse often include repeated complaints that result in little or no action. Institutions instead try to conceal incidents instead of addressing them head on. This deliberate inaction or cover-up creates a dangerous environment where vulnerable individuals are placed at an even greater risk of abuse.
When complaints are dismissed, perpetrators are emboldened, and the message sent throughout the institution is that accountability is not a priority. Ignoring the problem does not make it disappear; instead, it allows abuse to fester, potentially escalate, and impact a wider circle of victims.
WIth systemic abuse, many institutions practice moving accused individuals from one institution to another without alerting authorities. This occurs frequently in various settings, including schools and religious organizations. For example, a youth group leader accused of abuse might be quietly transferred to a different church, or an educator moved to another school, without any legal intervention.
This allows known abusers to continue with their predatory actions, perpetuating a dangerous cycle of harm. Religious groups, in particular, often attempt to handle abuse internally, refusing to involve law enforcement. This can apply to abuse by religious leaders or even within domestic relationships among congregants. For instance, some religious organizations, like the LDS church, have been criticized for encouraging abused individuals to remain with their abusers, inadvertently prolonging and escalating the abuse.
When institutions prioritize their reputation or internal processes over the safety of individuals, they become complicit in enabling further harm. Without legal intervention and proper reporting to authorities, alleged perpetrators are simply relocated, free to continue their abusive behaviors in new environments.
Institutions have a fundamental duty to create and maintain safe environments for those under their care. This extends to schools, care facilities, correctional institutions, and any organization entrusted with the well-being of individuals. When these institutions fail to implement proper security measures, conduct thorough background checks, provide adequate supervision, or respond appropriately to warning signs of abuse, they betray their fundamental duty of care and can be held liable for the resulting harm.
Any institution that allows abuse to occur—whether through negligence in hiring, inadequate security, or a deliberate disregard for safety protocols—can lead to legal accountability.
When you bring a claim against a major institution, such as a public school, church, large corporation, or national organization, you are often up against opponents with limitless financial resources, powerful insurance companies, and legal teams whose primary goal is to protect their interests.
These organizations may have long-standing reputations to maintain, and they frequently go to great lengths to avoid public scandal. This means survivors can face not only the emotional challenge of reliving their trauma, but also an uphill legal battle against powerful institutions who may attempt to delay, deny, or diminish valid claims.
Coming forward can take years—or even decades—as survivors process trauma and fear retaliation. This delay is often a direct result of the trauma experienced, coupled with a very real fear of retaliation from abusers or the institutions that protected them.
To combat this, Virginia has a 20 year statute of limitations for minors who experienced sexual abuse at the hands of an authority figure. Implementing this statute is Virginia’s way of recognizing that the effects of abuse can manifest long after the abuse occurred.
Choosing to come forward takes immense strength and we are proud to stand with you when you choose to do so. We know that having to relive some of the worst moments of your life isn’t easy, but it’s needed for you to heal.
Systemic sexual abuse cases are rarely straightforward. They frequently involve multiple survivors whose experiences may span years, or even decades, and whose stories must be carefully coordinated and corroborated. Bringing these cases into the light often means uncovering layers of liability—not just against individual perpetrators, but also against institutions that enabled or ignored the abuse.
At Breit Biniazan, we deeply understand the emotional toll and the challenges these cases present. We take out all of the legal guesswork so you can focus on your healing, while feeling confident that your case is in the hands of caring and capable advocates who stand firmly by your side.
You are not alone in this battle for justice. At Breit Biniazan, we stand with you, offering strength, hope, and a fierce dedication to holding powerful institutions accountable. Every survivor’s story is powerful and deserves to be heard with the utmost respect and urgency. We challenge the systemic barriers that allow abuse to persist and fight to bring about meaningful justice and change.
If you or a loved one are ready to take the courageous first step toward healing and justice, reach out to Breit Biniazan today. Your experience will be met with deep compassion and absolute confidentiality. Your safety, your voice, and your future are our highest priorities.
Don’t wait to seek the justice and support you deserve. Contact Breit Biniazan now for a confidential, compassionate conversation—because no one should face systemic sexual abuse alone. Together, we will seek accountability and help you reclaim your life.
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