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Arias Sanguinetti is investigating reports of sexual misconduct by a former art teacher at Riverside Preparatory School in the Oro Grande School District. So far, we have uncovered allegations involving fifth-grade students in the 2017-18 school year, and we believe there may be many more survivors of this inappropriate conduct.
Teachers are in a unique position of trust and authority over minors, who are taught to do what their teachers say. This art teacher took advantage of that trust to prey on the young girls in his classes. There has to be justice and accountability.
If you are a survivor of sexual harassment and abuse, contact us for a confidential and free consultation with the Riverside Preparatory School Sexual Misconduct Lawyers at Arias Sanguinetti to take the first step toward justice today.
What Is the Investigation Into Sexual Harassment at Riverside Preparatory School?
We have spoken with former students and witnesses who describe inappropriate touching and sexualized comments. While the teacher is no longer employed, serious concerns remain about how this conduct could occur in a school setting and whether more could have been done to protect students.
Our legal team is conducting an independent investigation into misconduct allegations involving a former art teacher. Accounts we have gathered describe inappropriate touching, pulling students close by their shirts, sexualized nicknames, and verbal comments no teacher should ever direct toward a child.
We are working to uncover the full scope of what happened and determine who should be held accountable. If you have information about this case, your account could be critical in protecting future students from similar harm.
Who Is Arias Sanguinetti?
We are a leading national law firm for sexual abuse survivors. With over 300 years of combined experience and many of the state’s most highly decorated attorneys on our team, we have recovered justice for thousands of clients. Because we believe everyone deserves experienced legal representation, our services are free until we win for our clients.
Throughout our decades of practice, we have recovered over $1.5 billion for our clients. While financial compensation can never erase what happened, it can provide a sense of justice and crucial tools for rebuilding.
It also helps hold institutions accountable for the harm they allowed to happen rather than punishing only the perpetrator of the unlawful activity.
We believe survivors. Bearing the weight of sexual harassment day after day, especially at a young age, can be deeply traumatizing.
There is no excuse for this kind of behavior. If you or your child was sexually abused at Riverside Preparatory School, you deserve justice and financial compensation. Contact us today to discuss your options.
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Who Can Participate in This Investigation Into Riverside Preparatory School Sexual Misconduct?
We are seeking information from anyone who may have been impacted or witnessed this misconduct. This includes:
- Former students who personally experienced inappropriate conduct
- Classmates or friends who saw or overheard troubling behavior
- Parents or guardians who had conversations with their child about feeling uncomfortable in this teacher’s class
- Former staff members who observed misconduct or heard concerns about this teacher
You do not need to be certain that your experience “counts” as abuse. If something felt wrong or made you uncomfortable, it’s worth speaking with our team of sexual abuse attorneys. All consultations are free and confidential.
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How Do I Know if What Happened to Me Was Abuse?
For many survivors, recognizing misconduct in the moment can be difficult. This is especially true for children in elementary school. At ages 10 or 11, students are taught to trust and follow their teachers. This power imbalance can make inappropriate conduct feel normal or leave students unsure of how to respond.
If a teacher touched you unnecessarily, made sexualized comments, or created situations that left you feeling trapped or uncomfortable, these may be signs of abuse. Even if there was no physical injury, the harm can be severe and lasting. Contact us to discuss your experience and learn whether you may have a legal claim.
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Is There a Deadline to Come Forward?
Yes. However, California law gives survivors in cases like this significant time to file a claim. California’s Age 40 Rule, as established by Assembly Bill 218, allows survivors of childhood sexual assault to file a civil lawsuit any time before their 40th birthday.
California law also has a “discovery clause,” which means survivors may still bring a claim after turning 40 if they only recently recognized the harm caused by the abuse.
While the law allows ample time to file a claim, evidence is often easier to gather sooner rather than later. Witnesses’ memories fade, documents can be lost, and other important records may be harder to locate. If you think you may have a claim, contact our legal team as soon as you feel ready.
Will My Name Be Kept Confidential?
In many cases, yes. Survivors of sexual misconduct often choose to file their claims using pseudonyms such as “Jane Doe” to protect their identities. Our legal team will discuss your privacy concerns and your options for filing pseudonymously with you before any legal action is taken. You will have control over whether your name becomes public.
Why Is Accountability Important in This Case?
Accountability serves two purposes. First, it acknowledges the harm done to the students who experienced this misconduct. Second, it helps protect future students by making clear that schools must act decisively when there are signs of inappropriate behavior.
Legal action can expose systemic failures, push for stronger policies, and ensure that institutions are held responsible when they fail in their duty to protect children.
If you have information about what happened at Riverside Preparatory School, your courage in coming forward can help bring about these changes.
How Does the Legal Process Work in Cases Like This?
It begins with a private, confidential conversation with our legal team. You will have the opportunity to share your story in your own words. We will ask follow-up questions to understand the details and timeline. From there, our investigation expands.
We gather witness statements, review documents, and look for patterns that establish whether school officials knew about the misconduct and failed to act. We may proceed to file a civil lawsuit. Some cases resolve through settlements, while others go to trial. Our attorneys are skilled trial lawyers who prepare every case as if it will be presented in court.
What Compensation Could Survivors Be Entitled to Recover?
Compensation in cases like this can cover therapy and counseling costs, medical expenses, emotional distress, and education-related losses. In some cases, survivors may also be entitled to punitive damages, which are meant to hold institutions accountable and deter similar conduct in the future.
While no amount of money can undo the harm, a legal recovery can provide important resources for healing and help bring closure through accountability.
Why Might Survivors Wait Until Now to Speak Out?
When misconduct occurs in a school setting, it often takes years for survivors to fully recognize it as abuse. At the time, many of the students in this case were in elementary school. At that age, they were too young to fully understand what was happening and lacked the language to properly describe it.
Fear of not being believed, loyalty to or fear of a teacher, and feelings of shame can all keep survivors silent. For many, it is only in late adolescence or adulthood, often after hearing similar stories from others, that they realize they were not alone.
Now, as many former students are turning 18, we hope that they may feel more able to speak openly and seek justice.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer for This Case?
There is no cost to speak with our experienced legal team. We represent survivors on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
You will never receive a bill from us for your consultation or our work on your case unless we are successful in getting you the money you deserve.
When we obtain compensation on your behalf, we collect a single fee, which is assessed as a prearranged percentage of the money you recover. We represent survivors of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
What Should I Do if I Have Information for the Investigation Into Riverside Preparatory School Sexual Misconduct?
Contact Arias Sanguinetti as soon as possible. Even small details can help us establish patterns of behavior and strengthen the case. You can call our office or submit a secure message through our website. You are not committing to a lawsuit simply by talking with us.
Speaking up can be the first step toward accountability and can help protect other students in the future. If you or your child attended Riverside Preparatory School between 2012 and 2022 and experienced or witnessed inappropriate conduct by this teacher, contact us for a free, confidential consultation today.
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