Legal Rights of College Athletes in Sexual Abuse Cases

When the Uniform Doesn’t Protect You

Being a college athlete means sacrifice, pride, and pushing yourself beyond limits. But what happens when someone on your team, or in a position of power, crosses a line that should never be crossed? For many student-athletes, speaking up about abuse isn’t just hard, it feels like a threat to everything they’ve earned.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve stood with student-athletes throughout New York who were sexually abused by coaches, trainers, or teammates. We’ve seen the emotional damage, the fear of losing a scholarship, and the silence that follows. If this is your story, or the story of someone you love, you have legal rights. And you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

What Sexual Abuse Can Look Like in College Sports

Abuse isn’t always violent. It can look like control, pressure, or manipulation. In college sports, it can be especially confusing because of the trust athletes place in their coaches and trainers.

Sexual abuse in these environments may include:

• Inappropriate or non-consensual touching, especially under the guise of “treatment”
• Sexual comments or jokes made regularly
• Repeated messages that become too personal or cross boundaries
• Medical procedures without explanation or proper consent
• Threats to take away playing time or scholarships after rejecting advances

Many student-athletes hesitate to report abuse because they don’t want to hurt the team, upset their coach, or jeopardize their future. That hesitation is valid. But what happened to you is not your fault.

You’re Protected by Title IX

Title IX is a federal law that gives students the right to an education free from sexual discrimination or harassment. This applies to every college and university in New York that receives federal funding, which includes nearly all of them.

If you’ve been abused, your school must:

• Accept and investigate your report
• Offer you support like counseling referrals, class or housing changes, or protection from retaliation
• Keep the process fair, timely, and respectful

It doesn’t matter if the abuse happened on campus or off, or if it was during a game, practice, or team event. What matters is that you were harmed in connection to your role as a student-athlete. And under Title IX, your voice is protected.

If your school tried to cover it up, blamed you, or failed to respond at all, they could be held accountable.

Where to Report Abuse

You have a few paths. Some start on campus. Some don’t.

• Title IX Office: Every school has one. You can report what happened and ask for support services.
• Athletics Department: Speak with someone you trust in your team’s leadership—just know they may have reporting obligations.
• Police: If a crime occurred, you have every right to report it to law enforcement.

For student-athletes who feel stuck or unsure, the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence can help. They connect survivors to legal support, crisis counseling, and advocacy services, even if you haven’t made a report yet.

When You Need More Than Campus Discipline

College investigations aren’t always enough. Maybe the person who harmed you was cleared too quickly. Or maybe your school downplayed your experience. If that happens, you can take things further by filing a civil lawsuit.

A civil claim can:

• Hold the abuser personally responsible
• Hold the school accountable if it failed to protect you
• Compensate you for pain, emotional trauma, and educational losses

Many survivors are surprised to learn they can file anonymously. You won’t have to stand in front of a crowd or give up your privacy to move forward.

When Silence Becomes a Pattern

In college sports, loyalty runs deep. Coaches are seen as mentors. Teams feel like families. That closeness can make it even harder to speak up when something’s wrong. But silence can be dangerous.

Some student-athletes are told:

• “Don’t bring drama into the locker room.”
• “Think about how this will affect the team.”
• “It’s your word against theirs.”

You’re not overreacting. And protecting others from the same harm is never “drama.” You have the right to be taken seriously. If anyone tried to intimidate or isolate you after you reported abuse, that’s retaliation, and it’s illegal.

Is It Too Late to Speak Up?

Not necessarily. New York law gives survivors time. If you were under 18 when the abuse happened, you may have until age 55 to file a civil lawsuit. If you were an adult, you generally have three years, but that can shift depending on when you realized the full impact of what happened.

Even if you’re unsure about dates or whether it “counts,” don’t count yourself out. The law can be complex. We’re here to help you make sense of it without pressure.

What You Can Recover Through Legal Action

Filing a lawsuit isn’t just about the money, it’s about acknowledgment, accountability, and moving forward.

You might be able to recover:

• Costs for therapy, medication, or medical treatment
• Educational or athletic losses (like a dropped scholarship)
• Pain and suffering
• Damages meant to punish the institution for serious failure

We’ve helped athletes win cases that also resulted in important policy changes. When schools see consequences, they’re more likely to protect future students.

Other Ways to Get Help

Some survivors don’t want to file a lawsuit or report publicly. That’s okay.

You can still:

• Talk to a lawyer in confidence about your legal options
• File a professional complaint if the abuser was licensed
• Get financial or emotional support from state programs

The New York State Office of Victim Services helps survivors pay for therapy, access emergency housing, and recover from abuse. You don’t have to be involved in a lawsuit to qualify.

You Deserve To Be Heard

You shouldn’t have to choose between your sport and your safety. No coach, trainer, or teammate has the right to use your ambition against you.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our sexual abuse attorneys have walked this road with student-athletes across New York. We’ll listen without judgment. We’ll explain your rights in clear, simple terms. And we’ll fight for the justice you deserve, on your terms.

If you’re ready, we’re here.