What is the difference between molestation and sexual assault?
Molestation generally refers to a specific, isolated act of inappropriate sexual contact involving a child. Sexual assault is a broader legal term that can involve victims of any age and includes a wide range of unwanted sexual acts, such as coercion, penetration, or exposure to explicit behavior. Learn more about what counts as sexual molestation.
What should I do if my child has been sexually assaulted?
The most critical first step is to remove your child from the suspected predator, location, or situation to keep them safe. If you have evidence to report to the police, you should immediately contact your local law enforcement. If you file a report, authorities may follow with an investigation and interviews. Having your own lawyer by your side during this process can help increase your comfort, demystify the process, and advise you on when your private information can be withheld from police without harming your child’s case. There are child abuse hotlines for parents, like the National Sexual Assault Telephone [...]
Can an organization be held liable for child sexual abuse in San Diego?
An organization can absolutely be held responsible for child sexual abuse if its negligence contributed to the harm. This means the organization failed to protect a child by neglecting to properly supervise employees, perform adequate background checks, or enforce clear safety rules. When an organization's failures enable an abuser, a lawsuit not only provides a path to justice and compensation for the survivor but also forces the institution to create a safer environment for other children.
What are the signs of sexual abuse in young children?
The signs of sexual abuse may differ between developmental ranges. Infant and toddler signs in children who are unable to express themselves verbally may show physical or behavioral changes caused by sexual abuse. Examples include increased bedwetting incidents, new sexual curiosity, unusual anger or secretiveness, or unexplained discomfort, pain, itching, bleeding, or bruises in or around the genital area. Signs of sexual abuse in children or teenagers can show physically through sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or chronic anxiety conditions like headaches, stomach aches, disturbed sleep patterns, or eating disorders. Emotional signs could include age-inappropriate regressions like thumb-sucking, outbursts of anger or panic, or [...]
Where does child sexual abuse typically occur?
Child sexual abuse can happen anywhere, within minutes or over a span of time. Most often it happens at home or in places where the child frequents, such as elementary, junior high, and high schools. This includes daycare and preschool facilities for younger children and after-school programs such as sports and drama classes for teens. Outside of school, abuse can happen in churches or other religious meetings, as well as clubs like the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other youth organizations. Children can also be assaulted in their family homes, foster homes, or at a neighbor’s or friend’s house. According to the Rape, [...]
