Sexual Abuse Victim Awarded $4.5 Million from Texas I.S.D.

A young man who endured years of sexual abuse at the hands of his elementary school principal has been awarded a multimillion dollar verdict from a federal jury last week. In 2011, former elementary school Principal, Michael Alcoser, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. Alcoser’s abuse of the unnamed student began in 2004, when the student was only 8 years old. Now an adult, the victim filed a lawsuit against the South San Antonio Independent School District for its failure to prevent this tragedy under Title IX of the Federal Civil Rights Act.

As they pertain to sexual harassment and sexual violence, under Title IX, schools, and school districts have several responsibilities including: duties to respond promptly and effectively, to promptly investigate any claims of sexual harassment or sexual violence against a student, to eliminate any existing sexual misconduct towards students, and prevent any recurrence. After a two-day trial, the federal jury held South San Antonio I.S.D. responsible for the sexual abuse of its employee, Michael Alcoser, under this statute.

According to the experts and mental health professionals, victims of sexual abuse, especially children, often struggle with years of therapy in an effort to reclaim a normal life. In many situations, such as in the case of Michael Alcoser’s victim at South San Antonio I.S.D., recovery may not be limited to just the abuser, but also the institution that permitted it.

If you or someone you know may have been sexually abused or harassed, it is important to understand your right to recover. Contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or toll free at 713-222-7211 for a confidential consultation.