A Call for Witnesses: Survivors of Sexual Predator Gary Shafer
Gary Shafer was a bus driver who sexually abused young children while working for the Olympia School District in Washington State between 2005 and 2011.
In 2011, Shafer was convicted of sexually abusing three girls and possessing child pornography. During the criminal proceedings, he confessed to molesting at least 25 young girls and special needs children. So far, only a few survivors have come forward.
PCVA has secured settlements with the school district for Gary Shafer abuse survivors and is urging others to come forward.
What school bus routes did Gary Shafer drive?
Gary Shafer is a convicted child molester who is currently serving 14.5 years to life in prison. Between 2005 and 2011, he worked as a bus driver for Olympia School District. He worked on many bus routes for the district, including several elementary, middle and high schools. He also drove or rode along midday routes for pre-K, kindergarten and special needs students.
The district has provided a history of Shafer’s bus routes but notes that it may be incomplete, since early-career drivers often serve as substitutes for other drivers on various routes and drivers may ride along on other buses to learn new routes or help with management. Therefore, the entire extent of where Shafer had access to children is unknown.
Who is responsible for Gary Shafer’s crimes?
Gary Shafer committed the crimes, but responsibility also rests with the institution that allowed him access to young children.
PCVA has sued the Olympia School District on behalf of several victims. In a case that resulted in a $7.5 million settlement for two survivors, the Washington Supreme Court decided that a school district is strictly liable for sexual misconduct, including physical abuse and assault.
Ultimately, school districts are responsible for keeping children safe when those children are in their care.
I was abused by Shafer, but it was long ago and I was a child. Can I still sue?
Most likely. In Washington State, a special statute of limitations allows many victims of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits for the abuse they suffered many years later, even as adults. That law recognizes that survivors of childhood sexual abuse may not realize or appreciate how the sexual abuse harmed them until much later in life. If you were sexually abused by Gary Shafer, please contact us so that we can confidentially explain your legal options.
Can a parent sue on behalf of a child?
Yes. The experienced attorneys at PCVA have worked with hundreds of families to seek damages for sexual abuse in a wide range of cases. Our attorneys use a trauma-informed approach to their legal counsel and rely on trauma-informed experts to help build the case. Our goal is to help survivors and their families recover damages from the institutions that failed to protect them from sexual abuse so they can begin to heal.
How can sexual abuse survivors seek damages?
Our attorneys have been involved in some of the most complicated and concerning sexual abuse cases in the country and are often consulted by other law firms for guidance and expertise when representing sexual abuse survivors. We take a trauma-informed approach to our representation that acknowledges the sensitive nature of these cases.
Every case is different and results – which depend on the facts of the case – cannot be guaranteed. However, we will fight to hold accountable the institutions and individuals who failed to protect survivors. Through our efforts, we have helped recover hundreds of millions of dollars in damages on behalf of abuse survivors. While no amount of monetary compensation can erase the trauma of abuse, the financial assistance can help pay for necessary expenses to allow the healing process to begin.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse or assault at the hands of Gary Shafer, our attorneys are here to listen and help. Learn more about how we help sexual abuse survivors or schedule a no obligation consultation with one of our lawyers by completing our online form or by calling us at (253) 948-3199 or (206) 536-2850.
How much do you charge?
Our work is done on a contingency basis. This means that you do not pay us on an hourly basis, and we advance the costs of litigation. If we help you resolve your case, we receive a percentage of the amount you receive, and you reimburse us for the costs we advanced on your behalf.
Our Case Results
$25M Settlement Reached in Olympia Early Learning Center Sex Abuse Lawsuit
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$2M Settlement Reached in Green Hill School Sex Abuse Lawsuit