Survivors of Sexual Abuse at Northern California Private Schools Encouraged to Seek Justice
Sexual abuse within private schools has remained a deeply troubling issue, with numerous survivors coming forward to expose misconduct that was ignored, concealed, or mishandled by school administrations. Sauder Schelkopf is dedicated to advocating for survivors, ensuring their voices are heard, and holding these institutions accountable.
Private Schools in Northern California Facing Allegations
Investigations and lawsuits have shed light on disturbing instances of abuse at private schools across Northern California:
- Sonoma Academy (Santa Rosa): An independent investigation in 2021 confirmed allegations of inappropriate conduct by a faculty member spanning over a decade, impacting dozens of students. Survivors accused the school of failing to protect them despite warning signs.
- St. Ignatius College Preparatory (San Francisco): A lawsuit filed in 2023 accused a longtime drama teacher of sexual abuse, alleging the school fostered a culture of secrecy that allowed predatory behavior to persist unchecked for years. (Note: Sauder Schelkopf attorneys were not involved in this case)
- Cate School (Carpinteria): A 2021 report exposed decades of faculty sexual abuse dating back to the 1960s, with multiple survivors speaking out about misconduct and administrative negligence.
- Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond): Abuse allegations against members of the Salesian order, spanning the 1960s and 1970s, resulted in settlements for victims who endured sexual misconduct at the hands of school-affiliated clergy.
These are just a few examples of the systemic failures that have allowed abuse to continue in educational institutions where students should feel safe.
Other private schools include:
- Valley Christian Schools in San Jose, CA
- Presentation High School in San Jose, CA
- The Harker School in San Jose, CA
- Spark Charter School in Sunnyvale, CA
We Are Here to Help
If you or someone you know was sexually abused at a private school in Northern California, contact Sauder Schelkopf today for a confidential consultation. Our attorneys are committed to guiding survivors through the legal process and fighting for the justice they deserve.
Sauder Schelkopf is a nationally recognized law firm specializing in sexual abuse litigation, with a proven track record of securing significant settlements and achieving systemic reforms for survivors.
Notable Achievements:
- University of Southern California (USC) Settlement: The firm, in collaboration with co-counsel, secured a historic $215 million settlement on behalf of female patients of Dr. George Tyndall, a USC gynecologist accused of sexual misconduct since the 1990s. This settlement is among the largest in sex abuse cases and includes provisions for systemic changes in reporting and investigating sexual abuse on campus.
- Ohio State University (OSU) Litigation: Representing former students and athletes, Sauder Schelkopf is involved in litigation concerning sexual misconduct by Dr. Richard Strauss, a former OSU doctor. In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear OSU’s appeal, allowing the case to proceed to trial.
- As of January 2025, Ohio State University has paid approximately $40.9 million to settle lawsuits from 162 men who alleged sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss, a former team doctor.
- In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear OSU’s appeal, allowing lawsuits brought by alleged sexual abuse victims of Dr. Strauss to proceed.
- As of October 2023, five lawsuits involving 236 men remained pending.
- University of Michigan Settlement: The firm achieved a class action settlement against the University of Michigan, resulting in landmark institutional reforms addressing on-campus sexual misconduct.
- Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Lawsuit: Sauder Schelkopf filed a lawsuit against Devereux, alleging sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of children in their care. The firm is seeking compensatory and other damages for the victims.
- Glen Mills Schools Abuse Lawsuit: The firm is representing former students of The Glen Mills Schools, a now-closed detention center, in a class action lawsuit seeking damages for physical and sexual abuse suffered during their time there.
Through these and other cases, Sauder Schelkopf has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, achieving substantial financial settlements, and driving meaningful changes within institutions to prevent future misconduct.
Experience Matters
Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice. The firm currently serves as court-appointed lead counsel in courts across the country. The attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf have recovered over $1 billion on behalf of their clients and class members. Our firm was recognized by the Legal Intelligencer’s 2022 Professional Excellence Awards. The Legal Intelligencer’s Professional Excellence Awards honor Pennsylvania law firms and attorneys who have made a significant, positive impact on the legal profession. Our firm was named in the Litigation Departments of the Year (Specialty Area category; runner-up), an award that honors the best litigation practice in a small or mid-sized firm in Pennsylvania. This recognition was based on the firm’s 2021 litigation work and its important ongoing cases. LawDragon has recognized our attorneys in its list of the “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2022. This list notes: “From the opioid epidemic to toxic substances and defective products, truck accidents to wildfires and sexual abuse, these are the lawyers who stand on the front line in individual lawsuits and class actions seeking justice.” Mr. Schelkopf was named to Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers® 2022 for Class Actions/Mass Tort Litigation. The American Lawyer named Mr. Sauder to its 2021 Northeast Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 60 lawyers who are “truly agents of change.” It “recognizes professionals in the Northeast who have moved the needle in the legal industry.” The Legal Intelligencer named Mr. Sauder and Mr. Schelkopf in its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers list recognizing 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” The Legal highlighted the firm’s innovative work on advocacy as class counsel in large institutional sex abuse cover-ups, women’s, and children’s rights. Our attorneys have also consistently been recognized by their peers being named to Pennsylvania SuperLawyer, a distinction held by the top 5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania. The National Trial Lawyers Association has also selected our attorneys as the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
We Want to Hear from You
If you or someone you know was sexually abused at a private school in Northern California, contact Sauder Schelkopf today for a confidential consultation. Our attorneys are committed to guiding survivors through the legal process and fighting for the justice they deserve. You can confidentially contact the lawyers at Sauder Schelkopf by filling out the form on this page or calling 888.711.9975