FREMONT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ATTORNEY
MICHAEL REHM - (510) 418-0820
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 Fremont, Newark and Union City CA.
In the last few years, dozens of priests and teachers have been arrested for sexually abusing children in Fremont and nearby communities. Many arrests were for crimes committed years earlier. In some cases, the children delayed reporting the abuse because they were threatened. In other cases, the reports were delayed because the children viewed the abusers as authority figures who were entitled to do as they pleased.
Arrests and criminal charges might bring Fremont sex offenders to justice, but they do little to help survivors of child sexual abuse. Even when abusers are not sent to prison, they typically lose their jobs and spend their savings defending themselves in criminal court. While it may be possible to win a civil judgment against an abuser, collecting a judgment can be difficult when the abuser has few assets.
California courts have opened the door to child sexual abuse survivors to obtain compensation when the abusers worked or volunteered for an institution or organization that should have protected children from harm. The California legislature has also extended the time for bringing lawsuits against abusers.
Child Sexual Abuse Liability of Institutions and Organizations in Fremont
In California, institutions and organizations may be liable for child sexual abuse when they were entrusted with authority over the child or were given care and custody of the child. Juries may find those entities liable when they negligently failed to protect a child from foreseeable abuse. Examples include:
- Schools that fail to protect students from abuse by teachers or aides
- Schools that fail to protect students from coaches or volunteers in school-sponsored activities
- Churches that fail to protect students from predatory members of the clergy
- Recreational organizations (like Little League) that allow child molesters to act as coaches
- Youth organizations (like Boy Scouts) that allow predators to work with children
- Daycare providers that employ pedophiles
Negligent conduct that may create liability includes the failure to screen employees or volunteers for criminal convictions, the failure to monitor and supervise staff members or volunteers as they interact with children, and the failure to investigate reports of suspicious activities.
Extended Time to Bring California Lawsuits for Child Sexual Abuse
A new law gives California survivors until they reach the age of 40 to file suit. Survivors may have additional time if they repressed their memory of the assault and only recently realized that they had been a sexual assault victim.
In addition, the California legislature has allowed child sexual assault victims to sue before the end of 2022, no matter when the assault occurred. That law helps survivors who lost the right to sue under the old law (which generally required a suit to be filed before the victim reached the age of 26). However, it is important to act promptly to avoid losing the right to seek compensation for a childhood sexual assault.
Getting Help for a Fremont Sexual Assault
Fremont Child Sexual Abuse Attorney Michael Rehm recommends that all victims receive appropriate therapy and counseling. Attorney Rehm helps victims of childhood sexual assault in Fremont and surrounding communities receive compensation that will help fund their recovery. Negligent institutions can also be held financially accountable for a survivor's emotional injuries, including emotional distress, anguish, depression, post-traumatic stress, and other psychological harms.
For information on how to proceed from this point forward, contact Fremont School Sexual Abuse Lawyer Michael Rehm at (510) 418-0820 . Consultations are always confidential.