Los Angeles Child Sexual Abuse Attorney

Defending Those Who Can’t Defend Themselves

Recent scandals involving the Roman Catholic Church and Boy Scouts of America have shed light on the pervasiveness of child sexual abuse and molestation in the United States. In studies conducted by the Child Molestation Research & Prevention Institute, it is estimated that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys will be victims of sexual abuse by the time they become teenagers.

At KMD Law, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and confidential representation for survivors of child sexual abuse. We understand the devastating impact that sexual abuse can have on a child's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. We are here to support you every step of the way as you seek justice and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Our approach to child sexual abuse cases includes:

• Thoroughly investigating the allegations and gathering evidence to build a strong case
• Working with experts, such as psychologists and medical professionals, to assess the impact of the abuse
• Advocating for the survivor's rights and best interests throughout the legal process
• Pursuing compensation for damages, including medical expenses, therapy costs, pain and suffering, and more

By empowering survivors to come forward and seek justice, we aim to create a safer community for all children. If you or a loved one has been a victim of child sexual abuse, don't hesitate to reach out to our Los Angeles child sex abuse lawyer for effective legal representation.

How KMD Law Can Help You

Sexual abuse of a child is an extremely serious matter. At KMD Law, our lawyers treat such abuse cases with the urgency and gravity they deserve and are committed to fighting with every resource we have to secure justice for our clients in Southern California and across the nation.

Our team has faced formidable opponents in high-stakes legal situations and has helped many survivors of sexual assault find the closure they need to heal after such a traumatic experience.

"My counselor raped me after convincing me to trust him. It nearly ruined my life. Until I took charge and fought back. I could not be happier with my decision to hire KMD Law. They guided me through the legal and emotional challenges of going up against a billion-dollar institution. We took them down! Now finally I can begin to move on." - Real Client

On This Page:

• Who Can Be Held Accountable for Child Sexual Abuse?
• The Impact of Sexual Abuse on Children
• It's Not Too Late to Hold Your Abuser Accountable
• What Damages Can Be Sought in a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
• Empowering Survivors of Child Sex Abuse

If you or a loved one is the victim of child molestation or sexual abuse in Los Angeles, call KMD Law at (833) 456-3529 to learn about your right to compensation.

Who Can Be Held Accountable for Child Sexual Abuse?

Many children are taught from an early age to be vary of strangers, yet the vast majority of child sex abuse cases in Los Angeles involve someone the child knew. These perpetrators can be family members, neighbors, coaches, pastors, baby-sitters, teachers, or anyone who has consistent interaction with the child.

At KMD Law, our lawyers don't just settle for pursuing legal action against the sexual abuser, but the institution or organization that failed to protect the child from molestation and abuse, including:

• Schools
• Churches
• Daycares
• Athletic clubs
• Boy and Girl Scouts of America
• Youth camps
• Hospitals
• Entertainment studios

When you come to KMD Law, you can trust that our team of Los Angeles child sex abuse lawyers will thoroughly investigate your sexual abuse case to determine who should bear the burden of responsibility for the abuse you have experienced.

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. In fact, California recently extended the statute of limitations for civil child abuse cases.

The new statute of limitations entails:

• A survivor of child sex abuse can file a lawsuit until the age of 40, or, within 5 years of discovering the assault as an adult.
• For any type of sexual abuse claim that previously passed the statute of limitations, survivors have until January 2023 to file a lawsuit.
• If the child abuse was attempted or successfully covered up, courts have the power to award triple the damages.

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

In a child sexual abuse lawsuit in California, 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 in Los Angeles 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.

Empowering Survivors of Child Sex Abuse

The Los Angeles child sex abuse lawyers at KMD Law believe nothing empowers survivors of sexual abuse more than seeing their abuser held accountable for the physical and psychological pain they have caused. We know it's difficult to come forward and expose childhood sex abuse, but our team is here to support you and protect the sensitive nature of your sexual abuse case.

Call (833) 456-3529 to get in touch with people who can help you seek the justice and closure you deserve.