Youth sports offer an important outlet for children and teens to learn about sportsmanship, hard work, and other values. In Los Angeles, people in positions of trust can abuse their access to youths when they engage in sexual misconduct and abuse of minors. If you are the parent of an abused child or a survivor who aged into adulthood, you may be wondering whether holding coaches accountable for sexual abuse in Los Angeles is a possibility for you.
Recognizing Signs of Abuse in Youth Athletics
In Los Angeles County, youth sports are a major childhood activity. A significant 82.7% of youth aged six to 17 participate in at least one sport. But participation alone doesn’t guarantee safety. Many predators use coaching roles to gain trust and access.
Warning signs can include coaches who meet with a youth in private. Students who suddenly change their behavior may also be potential targets of sexual abuse. Families should remain vigilant, even as youth sports participation has declined by about one-third in the past two years due to concerns over safety, costs, and time.
This vulnerability is compounded by the large size of student populations in L.A. County. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) reported approximately 408,083 students enrolled for the 2023-2024 academic year. With that many students enrolled, even one unchecked adult can do serious harm.
How Institutions Enable Abuse by Coaches and Trainers
When abuse does happen, it is often due to inaction or cover-ups by large institutions. In mid-2024, Christopher Martin Flores, a coach and trainer at Stars Prep Academy in nearby Orange County, was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a young woman. Flores was eventually convicted on seven felony counts.
The problems of child sexual abuse aren’t limited to sports academies. In late 2024, Los Angeles County girls’ soccer coach Justin Akio Yasutake (also a teacher) was charged with having more than 600 images of child sexual abuse on electronic devices. He worked inside a public school where children should be safe and protected.
Civil and Criminal Options for Survivors in Los Angeles
Survivors of child sexual abuse have powerful legal tools at their disposal. Criminal charges, like those filed against Flores and Yasutake, can lead to prison time and sex offender registration. Whether or not an offender faces criminal charges, they can still be held accountable in civil court.
Under California law, survivors can bring civil claims until they are 40 years old or five years after discovering emotional harm. If the abuse occurred on or after January 1, 2024, there is no statute of limitations at all.
These extended timelines reflect the reality that many survivors delay coming forward. In 2023, California documented 8,135 cases of child sexual abuse, meaning these are not isolated incidents but part of an ongoing and pervasive problem.
What to Expect When Taking Civil Action Against Coaches in Los Angeles
Taking civil action against an abusive coach in Los Angeles starts with filing a complaint through the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which is located at 111 N. Hill Street. Sexual abuse survivors or their legal representatives can initiate claims for damages that seek compensation for emotional trauma, negligence, and institutional failures.
Once these complaints are filed, the case can proceed through the discovery process, where both parties collect evidence to support their respective positions. Depositions are another important legal tool for establishing liability. Even if the offender is serving time at Men’s Central Jail at 441 Bauchet Street, they can still be held financially liable for their misconduct in civil court.
Most cases do not go to trial but are resolved when the defendant makes a fair settlement offer. If the plaintiff accepts the offer, the case is dismissed. Having strong legal representation throughout the process can provide you with legal and emotional support during a challenging time.
FAQs
Q: Can a Coach Be Held Liable for Sexual Abuse in California?
A: Yes. A coach may be held personally responsible for abuse through a civil claim. If the coach worked for a school, league, or sports program, the institution may also be liable for failing to supervise, report, or investigate. Survivors can take legal action even if the abuse happened years ago, especially if there was a pattern of misconduct or cover-up.
Q: What if the Abuse Happened at a Private Sports Club?
A: Private gyms, training academies, or sports organizations may be held accountable if they fail to protect participants from abuse. Liability can stem from negligent hiring, lack of background checks, or ignoring complaints. Even without a criminal case, survivors may bring a civil claim to seek compensation and expose unsafe practices within the organization.
Q: What Types of Evidence Help in a Civil Case Against a Coach?
A: Helpful evidence can include messages, emails, practice schedules, prior complaints, or testimony from teammates, staff, or parents. Records showing the organization knew about the risk or failed to act are especially powerful. These documents can support claims that the abuse was preventable and that the institution breached its duty to protect young athletes.
Q: Can You File a Civil Claim Years After the Abuse Occurred?
A: Yes. California allows extended timelines for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. In many cases, a claim may be filed until the survivor turns 40 or within five years of discovering the emotional harm. If a school or organization concealed the abuse, additional legal options may be available regardless of when the incident occurred.
Hold Abusive Coaches Accountable With Representation From Easton & Easton
When a coach uses their position of trust to harm a young athlete, both the individual and the organization that failed to protect the child may be held accountable. Whether the abuse happened at school, during private training, or within a youth league, survivors have the right to pursue justice.
At Easton & Easton, we work with survivors and their families to file claims that hold coaches and institutions accountable for their role in the abuse. Our youth sports child abuse lawyers understand the emotional weight these cases carry and provides legal support with care and determination. Contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation.
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