Perpetrator Alert: David Olson, Reported Child Sexual Perpetrator, former Pioneer Middle School Teacher, and Track Coach
PCVA is alerting the DuPont area about sexual abuse reportedly perpetrated by David Olson.
The former Steilacoom Historical School District English teacher and track coach was employed by the district during the 1990s when the reported abuse occurred.
This article provides information about the allegations against Olson and frequently asked questions about claims for sexual abuse.
What are the allegations against David Olson?
David Olson is alleged to have sexually abused a female student in the 1990s. Olson would allegedly write this student sexually suggestive love notes and touch her inappropriately on school grounds.
David Olson had been previously reprimanded by the Steilacoom Historical School District for inappropriately embracing another female student after school. After the District saw the letters, it suspended Olson. Shortly after his suspension, Olson agreed to resign in exchange for the District agreeing to not to tell Olson’s prospective employers about his alleged sexual misconduct with the student.
Nevertheless, the District sent a sexual-misconduct complaint to the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). During OSPI’s investigation, the love letters were left unattended in the files for two years before OSPI contacted the alleged victim. During this waiting period, Olson’s teaching license expired, resulting in OSPI dropping the case entirely. Through a lawyer, Olson said he did nothing wrong and had only been professing “Christian Love” for his former student.
How was David Olson able to reportedly sexually abuse his victim without raising suspicion?
Olson was allegedly able to use his position of power to allegedly groom, manipulate, and sexually abuse his student. Despite the Steilacoom Historical School District being advised of a claim that Olson had acted inappropriately with a student, the District apparently failed to take appropriate steps to investigate, including failing to report the incidents to the victim’s parents.
It is unknown if there are more victims of David Olson. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse at the hands of David Olson, 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 (206) 536-2850.
How can sexual abuse impact its victims?
Even if there is no outward injury to the body, sexual abuse of a child can have serious psychological effects.
The effects of sexual violence can include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Flashbacks
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dissociation
- Panic attacks
- Substance abuse
- Disordered sleep
- Sexual dysfunction
These are serious issues that can harm a person’s ability to work, study, maintain relationships, and enjoy their lives. Treatment for sexual abuse-related damage can take a long time and become very expensive.
What is the current statute of limitations for child sex abuse in Washington State?
Washington’s statute of limitations allows adult survivors of child sexual abuse to file civil claims for the abuse within the later of the following periods:
- Three years from the time of the sexual abuse itself;
- Three years from the time the survivor discovered that an injury or condition was caused by the sexual abuse; or
- Three years from the time the survivor discovered that third party negligence caused the injury.
This means that survivors of abuse in Washington can usually file a lawsuit for the abuse many years after the abuse ended, including a lawsuit against those who failed to protect them from being abused.
For context, here is a hypothetical example: A woman in her early thirties decided to seek mental health treatment for lifelong anxiety, recurring depression, and chronic sexual dysfunction. After a year of therapy, she begins to realize that her mental health issues were caused by the sexual abuse she suffered as a child. By making that subjective connection, the woman triggered the running of the statute of limitations, even though the sexual abuse happened decades ago. The woman now has three years to file a lawsuit for her civil claims arising from the sexual abuse.
Please keep in mind that the above example is simply illustrative of one of the ways Washington’s statute of limitations for civil cases arising from childhood sexual abuse is applied. There are many other ways the statute of limitations can be triggered, so if you have any questions about its application in other scenarios, please contact us directly.
Learn more about Washington State’s statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse.
Can I come forward or sue anonymously if I’m worried about my privacy?
Most likely. The law usually allows attorneys to file lawsuits on behalf of survivors of childhood sexual abuse using a pseudonym, like “John Doe” or “Jane Doe,” or their initials. It also may be possible to resolve your case privately without filing a lawsuit or going to court.
How can survivors receive damages for sexual abuse?
Our attorneys have been involved in some of the most complicated and concerning sexual abuse cases in the country, and we are often consulted by other law firms for guidance and expertise when representing abuse survivors. We take a trauma-informed approach to our representation that acknowledges the sensitive nature of each person’s case.
Every case is different and results – which depend on the facts of the case – cannot be guaranteed. However, we will fight to hold negligent institutions and individuals accountable. 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, the financial assistance can help pay for necessary expenses to allow the healing process to begin.
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
PCVA has a lengthy history of pursuing damages from youth-serving organizations that employed individuals who abused their positions of authority to sexually assault children, including religious organizations, school districts, foster care agencies, boarding homes, and hospitals. See below for links to some of our case results involving such entities:
$4.25M Settlement in Sexual Assault Case Against Issaquah School District
$4.2M Settlement Reached in Coach Sexual Abuse Case Against University Place School District
$3M Settlement in Coach Sexual Abuse Case Against Seattle Public Schools
$2.25M Settlement for Sexual Abuse at Rainier School
$2M Settlement for Sexual Abuse of 10 Juveniles at Green Hill School
$500K Settlement for Sexual Abuse at Bethel High School
$333K Settlement for Sexual Abuse Against Walla Walla School District
See a more detailed list on our Case Results page.