CHULA VISTA CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ATTORNEY
MICHAEL REHM - (619) 787-3456
FREE CONSULTATIONS
Providing representation to victims of School/Teacher/Counselor/Coach sexual assault, Clergy/Pastor/Priest childhood sexual abuse, Boy Scouts sexual abuse, and other institutional abuse matters in Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Otay Ranch and all of South San Diego County.
Recent high-profile cases have put a spotlight on the problem of sexual abuse in California schools, churches, and other organizations. In one recent case, a former teacher at a prestigious private school in Los Angeles was sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing a student. The case raised questions about what more could have been done to prevent the abuse from occurring and whether the school could be held responsible. For many survivors, the statute of limitations passed, and they were left without any recourse to seek justice, as by the time they felt comfortable sharing the atrocities that happened to them, it was too late. Fortunately, California has implemented a law to help combat that, allowing all childhood sexual abuse survivors to file a civil claim against abusers and responsible organizations until December 31, 2022. For a free and confidential consultation, contact The Law Office of Michael Rehm today at (619) 787-3456 .
Holding Organizations Liable for Employee's Sexual Abuse of Children
In California, an organization can be held liable for the sexual abuse of a child by one of its employees if the abuse occurred within the scope of the employee's employment and the employer knew or should have known of the employee's propensity for such behavior. Furthermore, if the employer was negligent in hiring, supervising, or training the employee, this can also be grounds for liability. For example, if an employer fails to properly vet a job applicant's background or failed to act after receiving complaints about an employee's inappropriate behavior with children, the employer could be held responsible if that employee goes on to sexually abuse a child. In such cases, it is important to seek legal counsel to determine whether you may have a claim against an organization for the sexual abuse of a child.
What Can California Schools and Organizations Do to Prevent Childhood Sexual Abuse?
It is important to remember that sexual abuse by trusted adults is not a new problem. However, recent cases have brought increased attention to the issue and raised questions about what more can be done to prevent it from happening. There are several steps that California schools and other organizations can take to help prevent childhood sexual abuse:
- Background Checks: All employees should undergo a thorough background check before being hired. This process should include a review of employment history, criminal background, and any prior complaints or disciplinary action.
- Training: Employees should receive regular training on identifying and reporting signs of child abuse. This training should be updated regularly and include information on the specific signs to look for, as well as how to report any suspicions of abuse.
- Supervision: One of the most important things that can be done to prevent child abuse is proper supervision. Any adult with supervision over young children should never be left alone with them. For example, classroom doors should remain open whenever possible.
- Clear Policies: All organizations should have clear policies in place regarding adult-child interactions and appropriate boundaries. These policies should be widely publicized and readily available to all employees, parents, and community members. They should also be regularly reviewed and updated as necessary.
- Reporting: It is crucial that any suspected instances of child abuse are reported immediately to the authorities. All organizations should have a clear process in place for reporting complaints or suspicions of abuse, and this information should be made readily available to all employees, parents, and community members.
Contact The Law Office of Michael Rehm for Assistance
Experiencing childhood sexual abuse is something no one should ever have to go through. The negative effects it has on children long into their adulthood can be devastating. Unfortunately, many survivors have been unable to seek justice because they waited too long to take legal action. A recent California law has been implemented to change this. If you are wondering if you can file a claim or have any questions, Attorney Michael Rehm can help. For a free and confidential consultation, contact The Law Office of Michael Rehm today at (619) 787-3456.