As any good child sexual abuse lawyer knows, abuse is on the rise, and it is time to fight against the culprits and provide rightful justice to the sufferers. According to statistics, at least 1 in 7 children have suffered from child abuse in the U.S. Also, both boys and girls are in danger of child sexual abuse. 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys have fallen into the child sexual abuse trap. Child sexual abuse is a life-threatening experience and leads to psychological trauma. Child sexual abuse lawyers are working around to at least get the compensation for the victims.
What Is Child Sexual Abuse?
Child sexual abuse is a type of child abuse that involves harassing, molesting, manipulating, forcing, or pressuring a child to indulge in sexual activity. Child abuse can take the form of:
Forcible Rape
When a child is forcibly taken advantage of by an adult for sexual gratification. Under such kind of abuse, the victim is unable to fight back.
Psychological Pressure Or Coercion
In such sexual abuse, the victim is pressured to perform certain sexual acts under threats like destroying personal property or blackmailing to expose a victim’s secret.
Indecent Exposure
This act involves indulging children in watching inappropriate pornography material or forcing them to see one’s genitals. Such acts do not involve physical contact but still have long-lasting effects on the innocent minds of children.
Child Pornography
Using a child as a subject for filming pornography is also covered under child sexual abuse. A child who fell prey as a victim of child pornography is psychologically tormented and must deal with the exposure of having them all over the internet that cannot be removed.
Effects Of Sexual Abuse On The Child
The effects of sexual abuse on the child are long-lasting and traumatic. They may also result in permanent illnesses that are psychological and can ruin the quality of life. To make things worse, there are no available treatments and mental therapy to help turn back the traumatic experience for them.
To mention a few, here are some of the common disorders and illnesses suffered by a child sexual abuse survivor.
- Anxiety disorders
- A feeling of shame and guilt (with no fault of their)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Sleep and eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Behavioral disorders
- Sexual problems
- Relationship and intimacy disorders
Most of the child sexual abuse victims must go through permanent mental health therapy to keep them sane. They may face difficulties in every phase of their life, be it professional or personal.
Rights Of A Child Sexual Abuse Survivor
Most of the child sexual abuse cases do not even reach the court with the fear of getting deep into trouble or from the fear of exposing what they went through.
However, as a survivor of child sexual abuse, one should at least know their rights they can fight for with an experienced child abuse lawyer. These include:
- The right to apply for compensation
- The right to appear at criminal court proceedings
- The right to protection from harassment while the trial is on
- The right to particulate and be heard in a criminal court proceeding
Seeking Justice With a Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
As most child sexual abuse cases did not see the light of the day, most of the cases are disclosed only when they are turned into adulthood. Lack of evidence and medium to expose the accused are some of the other common reasons for not reporting it. Ask your child sexual abuse lawyer about such cases.
In the U.S., the victims of child sexual abuse have the right to disclose up to 52 years old. Some of the other common reason why they are disclosed in adulthood include:
- Psychological issues and disorders as mentioned above
- Immense power and fear of the perpetrator
- The level of power of the perpetrator in the institution as well
- The inefficiency of a child to describe the situation well
- Stigma
- Relationship of the victim with the perpetrator
It takes immense courage and support to file a child sexual abuse lawsuit. The survivor should not be looked down upon and instead deserve all the love and support of family members and close relatives. Though the deed cannot be reversed, the perpetrator should be punished rightfully and should demand compensation for physical and mental damages.
Statute Of Limitations
The statute of limitations for child sexual abuse relates to the number of times the victim or their parents can file a civil or criminal lawsuit against the perpetrator.
Such statute of limitation differs from state to state. Moreover, some of the states do not follow any statute of limitation under such cases.
To learn more about child sexual abuse and understand your rights, contact our child sexual abuse lawyers today.
