Child Sexual Assault Attorney

The Impact of Sexual Abuse on Children

Childhood sexual abuse has been proven to have a profound impact on the victim’s life for years to come. The short term effects of child abuse may include behaviors like:

• Changes in Behavior: Sudden changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn, anxious, or excessively fearful. Increased aggression or anger.
• Sexualized Behavior: Knowledge of sexual acts inappropriate for their age. Explicit sexual behavior with peers or toys.
• Regression: Reverting to behaviors like bedwetting or thumb-sucking that they had previously outgrown.
• Avoidance: Avoiding certain people or places without a clear reason. Reluctance or refusal to participate in physical activities or to change clothes for gym or swim.
• Mood Swings: Sudden mood swings, including rage, fear, insecurity, or withdrawal.
• Depression and Anxiety: Signs of depression, such as sadness, hopelessness, or lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy. Anxiety symptoms, such as excessive worry, fearfulness, or panic attacks.
• Low Self-Esteem: Expressions of feeling worthless or undeserving of love.
• Injuries: Unexplained bruises, bleeding, pain, or irritation in the genital or anal area.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections: The presence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Difficulty Walking or Sitting: Complaints of discomfort or pain in the genital or anal areas when walking or sitting.
• School Problems: Decline in school performance, trouble concentrating, or loss of interest in school activities.
• Isolation: Withdrawal from friends, family, or social activities.
• Running Away: Instances of running away from home.
• Indirect Hints: Statements that hint at discomfort with a particular person or situation.
• Disclosure: Direct disclosure of abuse, which should always be taken seriously.
• Sleep Disturbances: Nightmares, difficulty sleeping, or sudden fear of the dark.
• Eating Disorders: Changes in eating habits, such as loss of appetite or overeating.

In the long-term, the trauma of childhood sexual assault can result in a variety of serious mental health disorders for the survivor that prevents them from obtaining gainful employment and generating healthy adult relationships and connection.

Other long-term effects include:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the abuse.
• Low Self-Esteem: Feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, and a negative self-image.
• Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors: Increased risk of suicidal ideation and attempts.
• Substance Abuse: Increased likelihood of using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.
• Self-Harm: Engaging in self-injurious behaviors such as cutting or burning.
• Eating Disorders: Anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder.
• Risky Sexual Behavior: Engaging in promiscuous or unsafe sexual activities, sometimes as a way to gain control or due to distorted views of sex.
• Isolation: Withdrawing from social interactions and feeling disconnected from others.
• Parenting Challenges: Difficulties in parenting, including overprotectiveness or emotional distance from their own children.
• Chronic Health Issues: Higher risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and gastrointestinal problems.
• Sexual Health Problems: Issues with sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction, often due to trauma-related fear or discomfort.
• Cognitive Distortions: Negative thought patterns and beliefs about oneself and the world.
• Concentration and Memory Problems: Difficulty concentrating, memory issues, and problems with academic or work performance.
• Delayed Development: Delays in emotional and psychological development, sometimes resulting in immature behavior or difficulty managing emotions.
• Dissociative Disorders: Symptoms of dissociation, such as feeling disconnected from oneself or the world, which can develop into dissociative identity disorder in severe cases.
• Borderline Personality Disorder: A higher incidence of borderline personality disorder, characterized by unstable moods, behavior, and relationships.
• Distorted Self-Perception: A skewed sense of self-worth and identity, often feeling undeserving of happiness or success.
• Negative Worldview: A pessimistic outlook on life and the world, often expecting harm or betrayal from others.

It’s Not Too Late to Hold Your Abuser Accountable

Many children who are victims of sexual abuse are afraid to speak out, or were not fully aware that they were subject to sexual abuse until later in life. At this point, it may be too late to file criminal charges against your abuser, but there is still hope that you can receive justice through a civil lawsuit.

To learn more about your legal options, contact our firm today!

What Damages Can Be Sought in a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

In a child sexual abuse lawsuit, various types of damages can be sought. These may include:

• Compensatory Damages: These are intended to compensate the victim for the harm suffered. They may cover both economic and non-economic losses, such as medical expenses, therapy costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Punitive Damages: In certain cases, punitive damages may be sought. These are intended to punish the perpetrator for their misconduct and deter others from engaging in similar behavior. Punitive damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages and are based on the severity of the wrongdoing.
• Past and Future Loss of Earnings: If the child’s earning potential is impacted by the abuse, damages may be sought to compensate for the loss of past and future earnings.
• Rehabilitation and Therapy Costs: Child sexual abuse often necessitates ongoing therapy and rehabilitation. Damages can be sought to cover the costs of these services.
• Legal Costs: The legal fees and costs associated with pursuing a child sexual abuse lawsuit may be recoverable as part of the damages.

It’s important to consult with an experienced child sexual abuse attorney to understand the specific damages that can be sought in your case and to determine the appropriate course of action based on the circumstances involved.