RIVERSIDE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ATTORNEY
MICHAEL REHM - (800) 978-0754
FREE CONSULTATIONS
There are many different types of childhood sexual abuse, but all of them involve some type of sexual contact between a child and an adult or older child. This can include anything from fondling to rape. Often, the abuser is someone the child knows and trusts, which can make it even more difficult for the child to speak out about what is happening. Unfortunately, this means many children never say anything and continue to suffer in silence. Fortunately, California law has given these survivors another chance to seek justice by implementing the California Child Victims Act. If you need help understanding your legal rights, Attorney Michael Rehm can assist. Contact The Law Office of Michael Rehm today at (800) 978-0754 .
Why Childhood Sexual Abuse Is So Damaging: Short-Term and Long-Term Effects
Childhood sexual abuse is a topic that is shrouded in secrecy and often goes unreported. The damaging effects of this type of abuse can last a lifetime and have a profound impact on every area of a victim's life.
The short-term effects of childhood sexual abuse can include confusion, fear, anxiety, guilt, shame, withdrawal, and/or aggressive behavior. In the long-term, victims of childhood sexual abuse are at an increased risk for developing mental health disorders such as depression, PTSD, eating disorders, substance abuse problems, and self-harming behaviors. They may also have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships as adults.
Sex Abuse Cases in Riverside, CA
An example of local sex abuse issues is the matter of ten school-aged students who will receive a $13.7 million settlement from the Riverside Unified School District to settle numerous lawsuits due to sexual abuse by a former technology aide.
The students were abused at Liberty Elementary School by Fernando Figueroa. He was charged with twenty-five felony counts for abusing eleven children between 2014 and 2017. The children were between 7 and 11 years old at the time of their abuse. After his arrest in 2017, he pleaded guilty to three of the felony counts.
The attorneys for the children allege that the school district knew about Figueroa's behavior as early as 2014-15 and did nothing to protect the students. One of the lawsuits even claims that a child's mother contacted the school's principal, but no action was taken.
The lawsuit also alleges that the district failed to conduct an adequate background check of Figueroa. He had been accused of sexual misconduct with a family member before he was hired. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident where a school ignores massive red flags and moves forward, placing these predators with innocent children.
The Benefits of The California Child Victims Act
The California Child Victims Act, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, provides more protection for child that experience sexual abuse. The Act extends the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases, giving survivors more time to come forward and seek justice. It also opens a three-year window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits against their abusers, no matter when the abuse took place.
The extended statute of limitations under The Act means that child sexual abuse survivors will now have until age 40 to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser. The prior age limit was twenty-six. The three-year window applies to any case in which the statute of limitations has already expired.
Contact The Law Office of Michael Rehm
If you or someone you know is a victim of childhood sexual abuse, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist can help provide the support and guidance needed to begin the healing process, but of course, this is not always affordable. You can seek legal assistance to act, and help obtain the financial resources to pay for therapy, lost wages, prescription medications, etc. Understanding the benefits of The Act is crucial, as it can give you another chance to hold your abuser accountable. For a free and confidential consultation, contact Riverside School Sexual Abuse Lawyer Michael Rehm today at (800) 978-0754 .
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