Child Sexual Abuse and Molestation Laws
Parents, guardians, educators, and others should strive to protect children from danger. One of the most serious kinds of harm comes from child molestation. Child molestation and child sexual abuse are terms that people often use interchangeably. Child molestation typically refers to a single act of abuse, while sexual abuse usually refers to ongoing acts.
Many types of crimes fall under both categories of molestation and abuse. California has laws in place to protect children and punish those who abuse them. Here, our Los Angeles child sexual abuse attorney at Beck Law P.C. explains some of the laws that govern child sexual abuse and molestation in California.
Lewd or Lascivious Act on a Child
Penal Code 288 makes it illegal for someone to commit a lewd or lascivious act on a minor child under the age of 16. Lewd acts include such things as inappropriate sexual touching and causing a child to touch himself or herself in a sexual manner, among other things.
Oral Copulation with a Minor
Oral sex with a minor is illegal per California Penal Code 287. Oral copulation means contact between the mouth of one person with the genitals or private areas of another. A minor is defined as a child under the age of 18.
Arrange a Meeting With A Minor With The Intent to Engage in Sex
It is a crime, according to California Penal Code 288.4, for an adult to arrange a meeting with a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual contact. The statute makes it a crime to set up the meeting, and it is illegal to do so regardless of whether the actual meeting occurred.
Sending Explicit or Obscene Materials to a Minor
Penal Code 288.2 makes it illegal to send explicit or obscene matter to a minor with the intent of seducing the minor or sexually arousing the minor. This includes any method, such as text messages, email, and other manners of communication.
Unlawful Sex Act With A Minor
Unlawful sex with a minor is illegal based on California Penal Code 261,5. The law applies to any person who engages in sexual intercourse with a minor child under the age of 18. A minor does not have the legal authority to consent to sexual intercourse.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Minor
According to California Penal Code 288.5, it is a crime for a person to engage in continuous sexual abuse of a minor child under the age of 14. The law defines continuous sexual abuse as three or more instances of sexual abuse that occur during a period of three months or longer.
Child sexual abuse and child molestation are crimes, but they also harm a child physically and emotionally. When someone sexually abuses a child, they are responsible for their actions. The person and/or institution where they work could be held liable. An offender does not have to be criminally charged to be held responsible in a civil case. If your child was harmed due to sexual abuse, you could file a civil lawsuit against the parties responsible. To learn more about child sexual abuse, contact our California child sex abuse attorney at Beck Law today by calling (707) 577-7175.
