Odessa, TX - University of Texas Permian Basin Women's Soccer Coach, Carla Tejas, Accused of Sexual Misconduct With Students

Texas Soccer Coach Charged With Sexual Misconduct

According to MARCA, a women's soccer coach has been charged with sexual misconduct involving several students from The University of Texas Permian Basin located at 4901 E University Blvd, Odessa, TX 79762. 

Charges have been brought against 28-year-old Carla Tejas after an anonymous group of student-athletes alleged many players suffered verbal and mental abuse from the head coach for the Lady Falcons. The 1154-word letter was sent to the members of the NCAA, Lone Star Conference, and UTPB officials. In the letter, Tejas was accused of breaking several NCAA and university rules including supplying alcohol to minors and publicly displaying affection to members of the men's soccer team. Students claimed the first-year coach made out with students and even requested they pay to bail her out of jail after a DUI on September 11, 2022. One student, victimized by Tejas at Belhaven University, claimed she attempted suicide due to the mental abuse sustained by the coach. 

How To Seek Justice If Sexually Abused By a Coach?

Attorney contributor Anjali Nigam represents victims in university sexual abuse lawsuits within Texas. During a recent discussion, Anjali highlighted how victims sexually abused by a coach can seek justice. 

"There have been more cases of coaches abusing players in recent news. The legal duty of universities and other educational institutions is to maintain their student's safety. Universities are required to have adequate security protocols in place in order to reduce the risk of sexual abuse. Among these preventatives are security cameras and reporting procedures. College employees, including coaches, must go through a background check. The risk of sexual assault can be lowered if precautions are taken seriously. If a university does not provide proper security, it could be held responsible in a lawsuit."

"The university's safety protocols should be looked into when a soccer coach is accused of sexual abuse. It's important to determine if the abuse could have been prevented or if the university's safety negligence allowed it. The school could be deemed negligent if the soccer coach had previous reports of misconduct that were ignored. The victim and their family should get legal guidance from an experienced university sexual abuse lawyer if a university's safety negligence is a factor. The legal representative will be aware of the statute of limitations in the state and will be able to advise the victim of their rights."

Sources:

MARCA