Kayla’s Survivors in the Media
Our attorneys have been featured in national and regional media for their work helping survivors of sexual abuse seek justice.
Featured Coverage
Kayla’s Survivors has been featured in news segments, expert interviews, and investigative reporting covering survivors’ rights, civil lawsuits, and legislative efforts to expand protections for victims of sexual abuse.
FOX 2 Now — Ask the Expert
Kayla’s Survivors attorneys appeared in a three-part Ask the Expert series on Fox 2 Now, discussing how civil lawsuits help survivors pursue accountability and financial recovery — even when no criminal charges have been filed.
How Kayla’s Survivors Is Helping Survivors of Sexual Abuse — Part 1
In this Fox 2 Now segment, Kayla Onder, lead attorney at Kayla’s Survivors, shares why she chose to focus on sexual abuse cases, explains the firm’s approach to these matters, and discusses other related topics.
How Kayla’s Survivors Is Helping Survivors of Sexual Abuse — Part 2
In this Fox 2 Now segment, Kayla Onder explains the claims process for survivors of sexual abuse, including key deadlines and what clients can expect when seeking accountability.
How Kayla’s Survivors Is Helping Survivors of Sexual Abuse — Part 3
In this Fox 2 Now segment, Kayla Onder explains the key differences between criminal cases and civil claims for survivors of sexual abuse.
America’s Next Top Model
Ms. Magazine — America’s Next Top Model Was a Microcosm of the Modeling Industry’s Power Problem
Attorney Kayla Ferrel Onder writes for Ms. Magazine on power imbalances in the modeling industry and what America’s Next Top Model reveals about coercion, abuse, and the systems that enable it. Read the full article →
Chapelstreet Church
Kayla’s Survivors attorneys have been featured in widespread coverage of a lawsuit against Chapelstreet Church in Geneva, Illinois, alleging a youth leader sexually abused a minor and that the lead pastor failed to act on prior knowledge of the abuse.
Kane County Chronicle — Geneva’s Chapelstreet Responds to Sex Abuse Lawsuit, Calls Claim of Church Involvement ‘Tenuous’
Kane County Chronicle reports on Chapelstreet Church’s response to the sexual abuse lawsuit, with leaders calling the church’s inclusion in the legal action “inappropriate.” Read the full article →
The Christian Post — Megachurch Pastor Brian Coffey Accused of Negligence in Alleged Sexual Abuse of Minor by Youth Leader
National Christian news outlet covering the lawsuit’s allegations that Pastor Brian Coffey was aware of the youth leader’s history and failed to take protective action. Read the full article →
Chicago Sun-Times — Suburban Megachurch Sued Over Alleged Sexual Abuse by Youth Leader; Pastor Accused of Cover-Up
The Chicago Sun-Times covers the lawsuit alleging the Chapelstreet pastor concealed a youth leader’s prior abuse history and failed to report it to authorities. Read the full article →
Daily Herald — Lawsuit Claims Chapelstreet Church Youth Leader Sexually Abused Boy After Lead Pastor Told of Past Allegation
The Daily Herald reports on the civil claim alleging the church’s lead pastor was informed of a prior abuse allegation against the youth leader before the abuse of the plaintiff occurred. Read the full article →
Kane County Chronicle — Lawsuit Claims Chapelstreet Church Youth Leader Sexually Abused Boy After Lead Pastor Told of Past Allegation
A missionary’s son alleges in a Kane County lawsuit that Chapelstreet Church failed to act after its senior pastor was warned of a youth leader’s history of sexual abuse in 2010. Read the full article →
MinistryWatch — Chicago-Area Megachurch Sued in Sexual Abuse Case
MinistryWatch covers the lawsuit from a faith accountability perspective, reporting on the allegations of negligence and institutional failure at Chapelstreet Church. Read the full article →
The Roys Report — Lawsuit Accuses Suburban Chicago Megachurch and Its Pastor of Failing to Protect Victim from Known Sexual Abuser
The Roys Report examines the lawsuit’s claims that church leadership knowingly allowed a youth leader with a history of abuse allegations to continue working with minors. Read the full article →
Chicago Sun-Times — Did Suburban Megachurch Pastor Ever Report Suspected Child Sexual Abuse by a Youth Leader to Authorities?
Chicago Sun-Times follow-up reporting reveals that despite state mandatory reporting laws, no one at Chapelstreet Church alerted police or child welfare authorities about Vanthournout. Read the full article →
Missouri Military Academy
Kayla’s Survivors filed a lawsuit against the Missouri Military Academy alleging the institution failed to protect a student from sexual misconduct and did not take adequate steps to address the abuse.
KOMU — Lawsuit Against Missouri Military Academy Alleges Failure to Address Cadets’ Sexual Misconduct
KOMU reports on the lawsuit alleging that Missouri Military Academy officials were aware of sexual misconduct among cadets and failed to act to protect students. Read the full article →
KMIZ ABC 17 — Lawsuit Claims Missouri Military Academy Did Nothing to Protect Student Who Was Sexually Abused
ABC 17 covers the survivor’s claims that the academy took no meaningful action to prevent or address the sexual abuse he experienced while enrolled. Read the full article →
KMIZ ABC 17 — MMA Calls Allegations Made in Lawsuit Detailing Sexual Abuse by Student False
ABC 17 follows up with the academy’s response to the lawsuit, in which Missouri Military Academy disputed the allegations of negligence and failure to protect. Read the full article →
KRCG — Missouri Military Academy Accused of Negligence and Negligent Supervision in Lawsuit
KRCG reports on the legal claims of negligence and negligent supervision filed against the academy in connection with the student’s abuse. Read the full article →
KXEO — MMA Responds to Lawsuit’s Allegations
KXEO covers the academy’s official response to the civil lawsuit, as attorneys for the survivor continue to pursue accountability on their client’s behalf. Read the full article →
KXEO — MMA Sued for Negligence
Initial KXEO coverage of the negligence lawsuit filed against Missouri Military Academy on behalf of a student who alleges the institution failed to protect him from sexual abuse. Read the full article →
Survivors’ Rights & Legislation
Missouri Independent — Bill Extending Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse Heads to Missouri Senate
The Missouri Independent covers a House bill that would double the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations from 10 to 20 years, with Kayla Onder quoted on why survivors need more time. Read the full article →
Bloomberg Tax — Litigation Funding Powers Sex Abuse Cases as Mass Torts Slow
Bloomberg Tax examines how plaintiffs’ firms use outside litigation funding to pursue institutional sexual abuse suits, featuring insight from Kayla Onder of Kayla’s Survivors. Read the full article →
Acadia Healthcare
SGF Citizen — Letter: The Alarming Pattern of Abuse at Acadia Healthcare Facilities
Attorney Kayla Ferrel Onder writes for SGF Citizen on the pattern of abuse, neglect, and federal scrutiny at Acadia Healthcare facilities, and why systemic accountability is overdue. Read the full article →
Lakeland
SGF Citizen — In Lawsuits This Week, 31 Patients Claim They Were Sexually Abused by Staff at Lakeland
SGF Citizen covers the lawsuits alleging decades of sexual abuse at Lakeland Behavioral Health, with Kayla’s Survivors representing 28 survivors in claims against Acadia Healthcare. Read the full article →
Buffalo Public Schools
Kayla’s Survivors was retained by individuals connected to abuse allegations against Buffalo Public Schools, with attorneys publicly committing to file legal complaints over the district’s alleged failure to report and prevent abuse.
Spectrum Local News — Attorney Retained by Individuals Tied to Allegations Against Buffalo Public Schools
Spectrum News covers the retention of Kayla’s Survivors attorneys by individuals with ties to abuse allegations involving Buffalo Public Schools staff. Read the full article →
BTPM — Accomplished Sexual Abuse Attorney Investigating Buffalo Public Schools Allegations
BTPM reports on the investigation being conducted by Kayla’s Survivors into allegations of sexual abuse and the school district’s handling of abuse reporting. Read the full article →
WKBW — Attorney to File Legal Complaint Against Buffalo Public Schools; Alleges Failed Abuse Reporting
WKBW covers the planned legal complaint against Buffalo Public Schools, alleging the district failed to fulfill its mandatory reporting obligations when abuse was suspected or disclosed. Read the full article →
Yahoo News — Attorney to File Legal Complaint Against Buffalo Public Schools; Alleges Failed Abuse Reporting
Yahoo News syndication of coverage on the legal complaint against Buffalo Public Schools, amplifying the allegations of institutional failure to protect students from abuse. Read the full article →
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar
Action News 5 — Attorney Contacted by Hundreds of Women Following Federal Charges of East Memphis Gynecologist
Action News 5 reports on the rapid response from survivors after federal charges were filed, with hundreds of women contacting Kayla’s Survivors within days of the news breaking. Read the full article →
FOX 13 Memphis — Over 200 Women Contacted Attorney in 48 Hours About Indicted Memphis Gynecologist
FOX 13 Memphis covers the scale of the response from potential survivors, with more than 200 women reaching out to Kayla’s Survivors in the 48 hours following the indictment. Read the full article →
St. Louis Today — More Than 30 Women Sue Bridgeton Pediatrician Accused of Sex Abuse
St. Louis Today reports on the civil lawsuit filed against Dr. Craig Spiegel by more than 30 women who allege the pediatrician sexually abused them while under his care. Read the full article →
SSM Health & Dr. Craig Spiegel
Kayla’s Survivors, alongside attorney Ben Crump, filed a lawsuit against SSM Health and pediatrician Dr. Craig Spiegel following federal charges against the doctor.
St. Louis Public Radio — Lawsuit Claims SSM Health Failed to Protect People From Pediatrician’s Abuse
St. Louis Public Radio covers the lawsuit’s claims that SSM Health ignored warning signs and failed to take action to protect patients from Dr. Spiegel’s alleged abuse. Read the full article →
FOX 2 Now — Sex Allegations Mount Against Pediatrician; Former Patient Speaks Out
Fox 2 Now features a former patient speaking out about her experience with Dr. Spiegel, as the number of women coming forward with allegations continued to grow. Read the full article →
NewsNation — Hospital Sued After Doctor Charged With Trading Drugs for Sex
NewsNation covers the lawsuit filed against SSM Health in connection with Dr. Spiegel’s federal charges, alleging the hospital knew or should have known about the doctor’s conduct. Read the full article →
KSDK — Suit Alleges St. Louis-Area Pediatrician Abused Women, Hospital Ignored Warnings
KSDK reports on the lawsuit’s claims that SSM Health DePaul Hospital received and disregarded warnings about Dr. Spiegel’s behavior prior to his federal charges. Read the full article →
KMOX / Audacy — Lawsuit Alleges Pediatrician Sexually Assaulting Numerous Women
KMOX covers the scope of the lawsuit, which alleges Dr. Spiegel sexually assaulted numerous women patients over the course of his practice. Read the full article →
First Alert 4 — Lawsuit Filed Against SSM Health Hospital, Pediatrician Charged With Prescribing Drugs in Exchange for Sex
First Alert 4 covers the lawsuit announcement against SSM Health and Dr. Spiegel, detailing the federal charges and the civil claims brought on behalf of survivors. Read the full article →
KSDK — Attorneys Ben Crump & Kayla Onder Announce Lawsuit Against SSM Health Hospital, Dr. Craig Spiegel
KSDK covers the joint announcement by attorneys Ben Crump and Kayla Onder of the lawsuit against SSM Health and Dr. Craig Spiegel on behalf of survivors of the pediatrician’s alleged abuse. Watch the full segment →
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Our legal team is available to answer your questions in a free, completely confidential consultation. There is no obligation to file a claim.