Five women have filed a lawsuit against the Clovis Unified School District in California, accusing the district of failing to protect them from sexual abuse by a teacher at Fancher Creek Elementary School, Neng Yang. The women, now adults, allege that they were sexually assaulted by Yang when they were students at the school in the late 1990s and early 2000s. One of the plaintiffs, Samantha Muñoz, has shared her story publicly, claiming that Yang began molesting her in 2004, when she was just seven years old.
Despite multiple complaints from students about Yang’s inappropriate behavior, the lawsuit claims that school officials ignored the warning signs and allowed him to continue working at the school. Yang was eventually arrested in 2012 for producing child pornography and is currently serving a 38-year sentence in federal prison for the sexual exploitation of minors. However, the plaintiffs allege that the school district had ample opportunity to intervene but chose not to act.
Failure to Act and Cover-Up Allegations
According to the lawsuit, the abuse was not an isolated incident. It claims that Yang’s behavior was well-known by staff at the school, but that officials took no meaningful action to stop him. The plaintiffs allege that when one of them, Tiffany Thrailkill, reported Yang’s abuse to the school principal, vice principal, and counselor, her accusations were dismissed, and she was sent for psychological treatment rather than being protected.
The plaintiffs, aged seven and eight at the time of the alleged abuse, recount similar unsettling incidents with Yang. The complaint states that the abuse involved fondling, groping, and pressuring some students into oral sex, which he purportedly called a “lollipop game.”
The lawsuit accuses school officials of blaming the victims and enabling Yang to continue his abuse for years.
The Broader Issue of Sexual Abuse in Schools
This case is part of a larger trend of sexual abuse lawsuits being filed against educational institutions in California, with many victims coming forward decades after the abuse took place. These lawsuits are becoming more common as California’s statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases has been extended, allowing survivors to file lawsuits long after the abuse occurred.
The state of California has seen a surge in legal actions following the passing of Assembly Bill 218 in 2019, which opened a window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file claims dating back to as early as 1940. As more victims step forward, institutions across the state are facing mounting legal challenges and financial pressure.
Calls for Accountability and Justice
For the women involved in this lawsuit, the abuse they suffered has had long-lasting emotional and physical consequences. Muñoz, who was assaulted by Yang, now faces the painful decision of whether to send her own child to Fancher Creek Elementary School, a place that holds painful memories for her. “Why would I want to go drop off my son at a place that’s nothing but bad memories?” Muñoz said. “It’s like signing my life away to the devil again.”
While Yang’s criminal conviction offers some measure of justice, the survivors seek further accountability through their lawsuit against the school district. They are asking for over $10 million in damages, including compensation for emotional trauma, medical expenses, and the costs associated with their healing.
Supporting Other Survivors
Sexual abuse in schools is a deeply troubling issue, and many survivors of abuse like those in this case often face immense challenges in coming forward. The trauma can be compounded by the fear of not being believed or the uncertainty of legal recourse. But it is important for survivors to know that help is available, and they have legal options to seek justice and compensation.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse at a school, juvenile detention facility, or similar institution, it is not too late to take action. You have the right to seek justice, even if the abuse occurred years ago. Laws in California and many other states have evolved to give survivors the ability to come forward and pursue legal action, no matter how much time has passed.
Get Legal Help Today
If you have experienced abuse, or know someone who has, and are seeking justice, Helping Survivors is here to assist. We connect survivors with experienced attorneys who specialize in child sexual abuse cases, providing confidential consultations and helping navigate the legal process. You are not alone, and your voice matters. Reach out today to take the first step toward healing and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
Contact Helping Survivors for a free and confidential consultation. Together, we can help ensure justice is served and prevent further harm from occurring.
