A Call for Witnesses: Survivors of Abuser and Former Evergreen Elementary Teacher Jordan Henderson
PCVA is seeking anyone with information about sexual abuse perpetuated by Jordan Henderson
Evergreen Elementary school teacher Jordan Henderson was arrested on and booked into Pierce County Jail on April 18th, 2024. The criminal information filed by the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office charged Jordon Henderson with 9 counts of child molestation in the first degree involving three children. Henderson was heavily involved in his local community church and worked at the same school as his mother, both of which were target rich environments for him to identify, groom, and sexually abuse children.
PCVA is actively investigating the allegations against Jordan Henderson. If you or someone you know has any information that could help in these efforts, please contact Kevin Hastings at kevin@pcvalaw.com or 206-335-7127. Please contact us.
This article provides frequently asked questions about Henderson, sexual abuse and how PCVA’s experienced sexual abuse lawyers can help.
What are the allegations against Jordan Henderson?
According to publicly available information, Jordan Henderson was booked at the Pierce County Jail on eight counts of first-degree child molestation. Upon information and belief, several if not all survivors of his abuse attended the Evergreen Elementary School where he taught them.
Did Jordan Henderson sexually abuse other victims?
PCVA is currently gathering information about Henderson’s alleged crimes. We know that he is reported to have sexually abused children at Evergreen Elementary School. The precise status of the law enforcement investigation is not known yet, although it is believed it is continuing.
As often is the case involving those who abuse children, the most likely situation is that many other survivors of abuse exist. PCVA anticipates that more claimants will come forward once news of Jordan Henderson’s alleged sexual molestation is published and absorbed by the community.
We know that Jordan Henderson was a leader in his local church and adopted two toddlers for almost two years now. Authorities are including this as valuable information and possible additional cases to investigate.
If your child or you know a child who went to Evergreen Elementary School, please check in with your child for signs of sexual abuse. If your child claims to be a victim of Jordan Henderson’s, please schedule a no obligation consultation with one of our lawyers by completing our online form or by calling us at the numbers below.
Is Evergreen Elementary School legally responsible for Jordan Henderson’s sexual abuse of schoolchildren?
School districts in Washington state have a responsibility to protect children in their custody. The responsibility includes a requirement to act in a reasonable manner and to avoid ignoring red flags that Jordan Henderson was sexually assaulting children. School districts are also strictly liable for the discrimination of students by teachers. PCVA’s investigation into what the Peninsula School District knew or should have known about the dangers Jordan Henderson posed is ongoing. If you have any information about Jordan Henderson, please contact PCVA immediately.
What should I do if I think my child is being sexually abused at school?
If you suspect your child has been sexually assaulted at school, it is important to take the following steps:
- Seek medical treatment for your child.
- Find resources to help you connect with therapists, counselors, fellow survivors and others:
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1.800.656.HOPE (4673)
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): https://www.rainn.org/
- State Law Database: https://apps.rainn.org/policy/
- Get a copy of the school’s sexual harassment policy. All schools are required to maintain a sexual harassment policy that details how they handle complaints. Title IX of the Civil Rights Act covers all forms of sexual harassment, including “any unwelcome sexual conduct, such as unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal, or physical contact of a sexual nature.”
- File a complaint with the state board of education.
- Contact an attorney experienced in handling student sexual abuse cases.
What are the signs of sexual abuse among minors?
The signs of sexual abuse will vary depending on the child’s age and can present themselves physically, behaviorally or emotionally. While there may be other causes behind some signs of abuse, it is important to trust your gut. Addressing sexual abuse can be painful, but the sooner you act, the better off the child in your care will be.
Warning signs can be difficult to spot but may include the following:
- Evidence of trauma to the genital area
- Sudden regression to old habits such as bed wetting or thumb sucking
- Excessive knowledge of sexual topics
- Overly compliant behavior
- Spending an excessive amount of time alone
- Changed eating habits
- Reduced self-esteem
- Lost interest in daily activities
- Sudden fear of being away from primary caregivers
What are the long-term impacts of child sexual abuse?
As a result of sexual abuse, children may experience both mental and physical changes. These can include:
- Regressive behavior, like bed wetting and thumb sucking
- Increasing isolation
- Fear of being by themselves
- Other changes in behavior, like aggression, impulsiveness, delinquency and substance abuse
- Mental health issues, like depression, PTSD, personality disorders, anxiety disorders and psychosis
In adults who have experienced abuse, the issues noted above may take a lasting physical toll as well, contributing to conditions like:
- Diabetes
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Arthritis
- Headaches
- Gynecological problems
- Stroke and heart disease
- Hepatitis
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 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, 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 at the hands of Jordan Henderson, 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 the numbers below.
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 religious institutions that employed individuals who abused their positions of authority to sexually assault others. This includes cases involving the Catholic Church and the Church of Latter-day Saints. See below for links to some of our case results involving religious institutions, sports teams and other organizations. You can also see more of our results here.
$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.
Read more about Jordan Henderson here:
https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/jordan-henderson-victims-families-court
https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/evergreen-elementary-teacher-arrested-child-molestation-charge
Court documents: Several students were victims of or witnessed teacher’s actions
Deputies arrest Evergreen Elementary teacher previously placed on administrative leave