WESTCHESTER, Illinois (WLS) — A new lawsuit has been filed against the Westchester school district after a former teacher was accused of sexually abusing a student more than 20 years ago.

Last summer, Dawn Chester was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse. She was placed on administrative leave from Berkley School District 87 at the time.

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Attorneys for the victim say the Westchester school district failed to take adequate steps in 2000 to ensure Chester could not teach at another school once he resigned over the allegations.

“Those in a position of authority could have prevented this, could have stopped this, could have limited this, and they didn’t. Now there is an obligation to make our client whole,” said lawyer David Rashid.

The civil complaint alleges Chester began writing letters to the then 11-year-old girl in 1998 and the inappropriate contact continued for two years.

RELATED: Berkeley teacher accused of sexually abusing Westchester Middle School student more than 20 years ago

The science teacher and volleyball coach allegedly touched the student inappropriately on multiple occasions.

“My client was sexually abused in the science lab in the classroom and in the gym,” Rashid said.

The complaint also alleges that the girl’s mother found the letters and took them to the school, but the school did not contact police or the Department of Children and Family Services at that time.

More than two decades later, last June, the victim discovered through social media that Chester was working as a teacher at Northlake Middle School and immediately reported her to the police.

Attorneys believe Chester may have other victims and are asking anyone to come forward.

The complainant did not want to be identified, but shared a statement, saying in part: “I’m bringing you my story now, as painful as it is to share and relive, because I believe I can make a difference in holding the abuser and those who allowed this to happen accountable.”

The superintendent of Berkeley School District 87 told ABC7 Chester was placed on indefinite administrative leave when they learned of the criminal charge and there have been no complaints about her in her 20 years as a science teacher there.

The superintendent of the Westchester 92.5 school district would not comment on pending litigation.

Meanwhile, the Westchester School District released a statement, saying: “While we are aware of the lawsuit, the district does not comment on pending litigation to respect due process and the privacy of those involved.”

Last summer, after authorities announced charges against Chester, the school district released a statement, saying:

“Today, District Administration was contacted by the Westchester Police Department and informed of the arrest of Dawn Chester, who was employed as a science teacher at Westchester Middle School from 1993-2000. Please see the police statement on this matter here. The district was initially contacted by police in late June of this year and informed that a former student reported that she had been sexually abused more than 20 years ago, in grades 6-7. student when Mrs. Chester (originally employed as Mrs. Anderson and later known as Mrs. Lach) was her teacher and volleyball coach.

“There were no current Westchester 92.5 administrators employed at the District at that time. A review of Ms. Chester’s personnel file indicates that the District was made aware of written notes and email communications between the former teacher and student in 2000. Our records state that the District worked with the family to resolve their concerns , which eventually led to Ms. Chester’s resignation in 2000.

“The district has cooperated fully with the Westchester Police in their investigation of this matter. That included providing copies of notes and emails between the former teacher and student, received as part of the family’s initial report to the District in 2000.

“Despite the fact that these allegations relate to an incident report from over 20 years ago, we felt it was important to communicate directly with our families and staff about this matter. Additionally, we want to emphasize that Westchester 92.5 is committed to protecting and ensuring the safety of our learning community and the well-being of our students. and cross-checks with federal and state sex offender databases. In addition, all faculty and staff attend mandatory annual training on appropriate student conduct parameters and other topics related to maintaining a safe school environment District faculty and staff also confirm in writing that they acknowledge the obligation to report any suspicions or knowledge of abuse or neglect of a student.

“There is no record of Westchester 92.5 being contacted by a prospective employer or providing an employment reference for Ms. Chester. The current Illinois School Code provides additional protections that require a school district to report to the State Superintendent of Education and the applicable regional superintendent of schools any teacher who there is reasonable cause to believe has committed an intentional act of abuse or neglect, or an act of sexual misconduct, involving a minor child, which resulted in the dismissal or resignation of the teacher from the school district. Such reporting may result in revocation of the teaching license. There was no such requirement in 2000.”