Filing a Financial & Civil Lawsuit for Child Sexual Abuse Damages

It is estimated that one in four girls will be sexually abused by their eighteenth birthday. Boys are abused at the rate of about one in six. The abuse may begin gradually and increase over time. Often, it continues for years, until the abuser is found out or the child grows up and moves away.

Child Sexual Abuse can take place in many Environments

• Within the family by a parent, step-parent, sibling or other relative
• Outside the home by a neighbor, child care provider, teacher, priest or minister

Sexual offenders do and say many things to control a child’s silence

• “It’s a fun game played between lots of children and adults”
• “If you tell anyone, you will be sent away to a place where bad children go”
• “You have been bad and this is your punishment”

When sexual abuse has occurred, a child can develop a variety of distressing feeling, thoughts and behaviors. When sexual abuse occurs within the family, the child may fear the anger, jealousy or shame of other family members, or be afraid the family will break up if the secret is revealed. A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse usually develops low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness and an abnormal or distorted view of sex. The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults, and can become suicidal. Some sexually abused children become child abusers or prostitutes or have other serious problems when they reach adulthood.

Evidence and Proof of Child Sexual Abuse

While most allegations of sexual abuse made by children are true, some false accusations may arise in custody disputes and in other situations. Occasionally, the court will ask a child and adolescent psychiatrist to help determine whether the child is telling the truth or whether it will hurt the child to speak in court about the abuse. When a child is asked to testify, special considerations, special considerations may be employed, such as videotaping, frequent breaks, exclusion of spectators, and the option not to look at the accused.

Filing a Lawsuit

Anyone who is the victim of a crime has the right to file a civil suit seeking financial compensation for injuries sustained as a result of the crime from the criminal or from others whose unreasonable conduct allowed the abuse to happen. Many abused children and their families worry about getting involved with the court process. They may want to get on with their lives and leave the abuse in the past. However, by filing a civil suit against the perpetrator, it gives the victim a chance to stand up for their rights and speak out against those who hurt them. Participation in a lawsuit can assure them that there are people who support and believe them and are trying to make sure the offender is held responsible for their actions.

Damages Awards

The criminal court system exists to punish perpetrators of child sex abuse. However, to recover financial compensation for damages, victims and their families must file a lawsuit in civil court. Monetary damages can help sexual assault victims put their lives back together by paying for therapy and counseling. Sexual predators tend to abuse more than one victim, and by pursuing a civil lawsuit it may help prevent the person from victimizing others.

How a Lawyer Can Help

Sexual abuse lawsuits are extremely emotional and deserve a great degree of care and professionalism. An experienced attorney can help you file a civil lawsuit against the molester and/or the institution that failed to protect your child from being abused.