San Diego Daycare and Child Care Sexual Abuse Attorney

The most recent data shows that 46% of families have two parents working full-time, meaning many families rely on child care and daycare to watch after their children. For most parents, daycare provides a sense of security, knowing their child is safe and cared for while they are at work.

Unfortunately, for some, that trust is shattered in the most unimaginable way: when a child becomes the victim of sexual assault at the hands of someone they were supposed to be able to trust. 

This is a nightmare that no family should have to endure. If you are facing this devastating situation, there are resources and legal options available to help protect your child, hold those responsible accountable, and begin the path toward healing. 

Jessica Pride has nearly two decades of experience helping survivors of sexual assault from all walks of life, including children and teenagers. Our firm understands the careful hand and consideration these cases deserve. To learn more about how The Pride Law Firm can help your family, contact us online or by calling (619) 516-8166 today. 

“The Pride Law Firm will always be the firm I refer to family and friends when they need a lawyer or advice. Jessica cares about survivors and will fight at all costs for justice. The Pride Law Firm is deeply committed to fighting for your cause and getting their clients justice. It's a welcoming environment where your concerns will be heard compassionately and without judgment. If you are a victim of sexual assault/ harassment, Jessica Pride is your lawyer!” 

- Allyson C. | Client

Child Care Data in San Diego

In San Diego, like many other regions, access to reliable and affordable child care is a significant concern for families. With nearly half of children under the age of 5 having working parents, finding safe, trustworthy care is crucial.

It’s important to understand how these broader challenges intersect with the need for safe spaces for our children: 

• 64% of children ages 0-5 have parents who work, creating a high demand for child care.
• 77% of parents in San Diego County report it is a challenge to find child care.
• 93% of child care providers in San Diego report difficulty hiring qualified staff, contributing to staffing challenges and care quality.
• As of January 2022, there were an estimated 79,006 licensed child care spots available for children ages 0-5.

Since the pandemic, 106 child care facilities in San Diego have closed, eliminating nearly 5,000 child care slots. With fewer options, parents often face difficult decisions and may have to rely on overwhelmed centers with limited staff or inadequate oversight. 

Sadly, this can create an environment where incidents of sexual assault or abuse are more likely to occur, as reduced staffing and overburdened providers may fail to maintain the level of attention and care needed to keep children safe.

“I am privileged and honored to represent survivors of sexual assault, and I will not stop until I don’t have a job anymore.”

‍- Jessica Pride | Managing Partner

Recognizing the Signs of Child Daycare Sexual Assault

Children may have trouble verbalizing what happened, so understanding behavioral or physical changes can help spot issues early. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s important to take them seriously, seek professional guidance immediately, and consider contacting a San Diego child care sexual abuse attorney: 

• Unexplained physical injuries: Bruises, cuts, or soreness in sensitive areas of the body that the child cannot explain. Also, urinary tract infections or yeast infections may be signs of sexual abuse.
• Changes in behavior: Sudden anxiety, fear, or withdrawal, especially around certain caregivers or in daycare settings, or a child who is usually mild-mannered, displaying sudden outbursts of aggression or mood swings.
• Regression in behavior: Reverting to earlier behaviors, like bedwetting or thumb-sucking, after having outgrown them.
• Fear of a specific person or location: Reluctance or fear when being dropped off at daycare or when a particular staff member is present.
• Inappropriate knowledge of sexual matters: The child may use sexually explicit language or engage in behavior beyond their developmental stage.
• Difficulty walking or sitting: Complaints of pain when sitting or walking, which could indicate physical harm.
• Sleep disturbances or nightmares: Difficulty sleeping, frequent nightmares, or night terrors without an obvious cause or having experienced these prior.

It’s important to remember that some of these signs can also be related to normal childhood development or other forms of distress. However, they may also indicate abuse, including sexual assault. Recognizing these changes in your child’s behavior can help you identify when something may be wrong.

San Diego Child Care Sexual Abuse Laws

California has several laws and regulatory bodies in place to protect children from abuse in daycare and child care settings. These laws are designed to ensure that children are safe, that caregivers are held accountable, and that any allegations of abuse are thoroughly investigated: 

• California Penal Code Section 11166: Requires mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect by certain professionals, including daycare providers, teachers, and medical staff.
• Child Care Licensing Program: Administered by the California Department of Social Services, this program ensures daycare centers meet the required health and safety standards. It also conducts regular inspections and investigates complaints of abuse or unsafe practices.
• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA): Establishes the legal duty of mandated reporters to report any signs of abuse or neglect. This act helps ensure that professionals in positions of trust, such as child care workers, are legally bound to report concerns promptly.
• Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations: Title 22 sets health, safety, and operational standards for daycare and child care centers in California. It ensures that child care providers meet necessary qualifications, such as completing Early Childhood Education (ECE) units, to guarantee they are properly trained to care for children in a safe and supportive environment.

While California has strong laws and regulatory agencies designed to prevent and address sexual abuse in daycare settings, the sad reality is that these measures don’t always prevent abuse from occurring. Despite the regulations, cases can still slip through the cracks, and predators can sometimes find their way into positions of trust. 

A San Diego daycare molestation lawyer can help you and your family work through this traumatic ordeal, stopping at nothing until the perpetrators are held accountable. Children deserve nurturing environments, whether at a daycare, youth organization, school, sports club, or church, to grow up and thrive.

The betrayal of trust in daycare abuse can set children on a path of lifelong emotional and psychological struggle. Contact The Pride Law Firm online or by calling (619) 516-8166 for a complimentary and private consultation where you can share the details of your situation in a confidential and safe environment.

How Can a San Diego Child Care Sexual Abuse Lawyer Help My Family?

Discovering that your child has been a victim of sexual abuse, especially in what was supposed to be a vetted and secure setting like a daycare, can be world-shattering. You may be struggling to come to terms with what has happened and racking your brain about how such a horrendous act could have occurred in a place that solely exists to watch over the well-being of children. 

It’s understandable if you’re not thinking straight as you grapple with the shock and anger. You may feel the urge to take legal action, but have no idea where to start. A San Diego daycare sexual abuse attorney can be there for you and your family every step of the way when filing a claim against a daycare, providing comprehensive services, such as: 

• Investigating the Daycare and the Alleged Abuse: Reviewing any previous allegations made against the daycare, employee backgrounds, surveillance footage, eyewitness testimony from other parents, and more. 
• Identifying Responsible Parties: Determining which individuals or entities, including daycare staff and supervisors, are liable for the abuse. Sometimes multiple parties may be responsible for child care sexual abuse.
• Filing all Legal Documents: Taking care of the time-sensitive process of preparing and filing the necessary legal paperwork, ensuring every form, deadline, and procedure is handled correctly to avoid delays or complications in your case.
• Negotiating for Appropriate Compensation: We recognize that no dollar amount can amend what has been done to your child, but financial support can aid in your child’s healing and recovery. 
• Fighting Zealously for You in Court: If the other side won’t agree to a fair settlement, we are prepared to take this case to court, ensuring justice for your child is pursued with dignity and care.

While it is not mandatory that you hire a San Diego daycare molestation attorney, having an experienced legal team by your side can remove some of the pressure and stress during what is already a turbulent time for your family.

A Martindale-Nolo study found that those who worked with a lawyer were far more likely to secure compensation. More than nine out of ten individuals with legal representation received a settlement or award, compared to about half of those who handled their claims independently.

Understanding the Difference Between Civil and Criminal Court in Daycare Sexual Abuse Cases

When it comes to seeking justice for sexual abuse in daycare settings, parents or caregivers often wonder about the difference between civil and criminal court. In this video, we break down how these two court systems operate and how they relate to your case. While criminal court focuses on punishing perpetrators, civil court is where survivors can pursue compensation for their child’s pain, suffering, and ongoing needs. Watch the video below to learn more about your family’s options going forward: 

Why Hire a San Diego Child Care Sexual Abuse Lawyer from The Pride Law Firm

Institutions may try to minimize or sweep these allegations under the rug, hoping they’ll disappear, but the truth is, silence only allows the abuse to continue. Every voice that comes forward, no matter how hard it may be, brings us one step closer to holding these daycares accountable and preventing further harm. By standing up, you not only fight for your child’s justice but also protect countless other children who may be at risk.

With over 100 years of combined experience, the attorneys at The Pride Law Firm use the civil court system to send powerful messages that lead to real, impactful change. This commitment to justice is reflected in our work, including securing a historic $116 million settlement for 103 survivors of sexual abuse at the now-closed Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California.

At The Pride Law Firm, we don’t just see clients as another case number. We see survivors for who they truly are: people who have overcome the impossible and still found the strength to keep moving forward. 

A San Diego child care molestation lawyer from our firm is here to support you with the respect you deserve, fighting not just for justice, but for the recognition of your incredible resilience. Reach out to The Pride Law Firm online or by calling (619) 516-8166 today.

Proudly Representing San Diego Residents