California Child Sexual Abuse Questions and Answers
What is Child Sexual Abuse?
Child sexual abuse questions. Under California law, child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse and neglect. The law defines sexual abuse as “the victimization of a child by sexual activities, including molestation, indecent exposure, fondling, rape, and incest.” Child sexual abuse occurs when someone performs sexual actions with a child or exposes a child to sexually explicit behaviors. A child is a person under the age of 18.
Child Sexual Abuse Questions – What Can I Do If I Suspect My Child Was Sexually Abused?
If you suspect your child was or is being sexually abused, report the incident to law enforcement. Law enforcement will conduct an investigation. Remove your child from the situation where the abuse occurred. Get a medical evaluation for your child to determine physical harm. You may also wish to seek therapy or counseling to assist your child in dealing with the abuse. Additionally, you may be able to take legal action against an abuser. Call our California child sexual abuse lawyer at Beck Law P.C. to learn more.
Who Can An Abuse Victim Sue in a Civil Lawsuit?
A victim of child sexual abuse may be owed compensation for the harm that was caused. The victim may sue the abuser and may also be able to sue the employer of the offender. For example, you may file a lawsuit against a school district, church, or service organization if the abuse occurred on their property or by one of their workers. The organization may be held accountable for negligence if it fails to prevent, detect, or report an incident of sexual abuse.
Can I File a Lawsuit Even if the Offender Was Not Arrested?
Often, victims of child sexual abuse do not immediately report the event. Sometimes, they don’t report it for many years, often not until they become an adult. By that time, law enforcement may no longer be able to arrest or prosecute the perpetrator. However, the victim may file a lawsuit against the offender, even though no criminal action was taken against him or her.
I Was Abused As A Child – Can I Still File a Lawsuit?
The law recognizes that many victims of child sexual abuse do not realize it until after they reach adulthood. Child sexual abuse questions about filing claims. New laws have extended the time you have to file a claim for child sexual abuse. California law allows a victim of child abuse that occurred prior to 2009 to have until the end of 2026 to file a civil claim. Generally, survivors must file a claim within ten years of the abuse or within three years of discovering the abuse.
A new law is now in place that eliminates the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse lawsuits. The law applies to new abuse that occurs after January 1, 2024. If you are an adult who suffered sexual abuse as a child, it is best to discuss the matter with a qualified attorney to determine your options.
Do you have child sexual abuse questions? If you were abused as a child, you probably have many legal questions. We are here to help you sort through the situation and assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve. At Beck Law, our California child sexual abuse lawyer has experience handling all types of child sexual abuse cases. Call us today at (707) 576-7175 to request a confidential consultation to discuss your case.
