MODESTO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ATTORNEY
MICHAEL REHM - (209) 490-5049
FREE CONSULTATIONS
Providing representation to victims of School/Teacher/Counselor/Coach sexual assault, clergy/pastor childhood sexual abuse, Boy Scouts sexual abuse, and other institutional actor abuse matters in Stanislaus County CA.
While estimates vary, studies suggest that one child of every nine or ten is sexually abused before reaching the age of 18. Estimates are difficult to make because many instances of child sexual abuse are unreported. Statistics suggest that more than half of children who are sexually abused never tell anyone about the abuse. Nonreporting is most common when the abuser is a relative or close friend of the family.
Children are sexually abused at a higher rate than adults, in part because they are vulnerable. While an adult might fight back or make a credible threat to report the sexual contact, children tend to see adults as authority figures and obey them when they are told to remain silent. Children might not identify sexual contact as abuse no matter how uncomfortable it makes them feel.
Children are particularly vulnerable when they are away from their parents. Society and parents entrust the care of children to schools, after-school programs, churches, daycare providers, and other institutions, organizations, and businesses. Yet institutions do not always protect children from sexual contact by their employees and volunteers.
Liability for Child Sexual Abuse
Abusers can be held accountable in criminal and civil court. Criminal courts punish, but they cannot order an offender to pay full compensation to their victims. While civil courts can award compensation, offenders who are sent to prison do not always have assets available to pay a judgment.
The institutions that enable sexual assaults of children are more likely to have resources needed to pay compensation. California law gives victims the opportunity to sue institutions that knew or should have known about the risk of sexual abuse and failed to prevent it. Examples include:
- Employing a member of the clergy who has been accused of sexual abuse in the past.
- Failing to supervise a coach or coaching assistant after hearing reports of sexually inappropriate remarks or grooming behavior.
- Continuing to employ a playground supervisor who disregards rules about physical contact with children.
- Allowing a Scout leader to continue meeting with children after hearing reports of sexual misconduct.
California law allows victims to sue for physical and emotional harm that results from sexual misconduct. A recent law allows suits to be brought before the end of 2022, regardless of the year in which the child was sexually abused. Victims should get legal advice immediately to determine whether and when they should file a lawsuit.
Help for Child Sexual Abuse Victims in Modesto
Parents United of Stanislaus County and the Center for Human Services are two local organizations that can provide information about counseling for child abuse victims in Modesto. The Stanislaus County Child Protective Services agency and the local police are good starting points to report suspected sexual abuse.
Modesto Teacher Sexual Abuse Lawyer Michael Rehm can help victims and their families pursue compensation from schools, churches, youth organizations, and other institutions that enabled child sexual abuse. We help survivors recover funds to pay for therapy and to compensate for depression, anxiety, humiliation, loss of self-esteem, and the other lasting consequences of child sexual abuse.
For more information on how Michael Rehm can help obtain compensation for counseling, prescription medication, overall health care costs in general, and lifetime lost wages, call (800) 978-0754 for a free, confidential consultation.