Child sexual abuse is a broad umbrella term that includes any sexual interaction between a child and an adult, or another child. Child sexual abuse can refer to touching and non-touching behaviors. Movies, books, magazines, and society in general often depict child sexual abuse as male perpetrators victimizing young girls, particularly in poorer communities. This is a common misconception; males and females can be abusers and victims alike, and child sexual abuse also happens to those from all economic backgrounds in all types of communities.
If you are an adult survivor of child sexual abuse, a parent, or a guardian, you can take action against those who caused you or your child harm. Child sexual abuse is illegal, and abusers can be charged with a crime. Although criminal justice remains an important step towards holding abusers accountable, it’s only one aspect of accountability. You can also file a civil lawsuit an abuser for damages related to losses and injuries incurred from the abuse.
This guide provides a deeper look at child sexual abuse, including information about the abuser, characteristics of child sexual abuse, risk factors which can make a child more likely to be abused, warning signs of child sexual abuse, reporting requirements under California law, and effects of child sexual abuse. From the sexual abuse lawyers at Gomez Trial Attorneys.
As mentioned above, child sexual abuse refers to a broad range of sexual activity with a child. Different organizations and entities have slightly different definitions of child sexual abuse, but most are the same for all practical and legal purposes. Much of the different language impacts the criminal aspect of child sexual abuse, specifically in what cases law enforcement can monitor an alleged abuser and requirements for reporting suspected abuse. One of the most broadly referenced definitions of child sexual abuse comes from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC refers to child sexual abuse as “the involvement of a child in sexual activity that violates the laws or social taboos of society,” and requires that the abuse survivors meet one of the following criteria:
In California, the age of consent is 18 years old. Any sexual activity with a child younger than 18 falls under the umbrella of child abuse by the CDC’s definition, and under the vast majority of other definitions of child sexual abuse. The presence of touching is another important aspect of childhood sexual abuse. You might assume that sexual abuse means a perpetrator must fondle, molest, or penetrate a child. Yet, this is not the case.
Some examples of child sexual abuse that do not include touching are:
The exact number varies among sources, but research shows that at least 90 percent of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone the child or the child’s family knows. Abusers can have many different types of relationships with the child, such as:
When child sexual abuse occurs, perpetrators often use their trusted status and/or position of power over a child to coerce or intimidate a child and abuse them. More specific dynamics of child sexual abuse are discussed below. You might also notice specific behaviors and characteristics in someone who is an abuser.
They include:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken an active role in giving health care workers the tools they need to respond to sexual violence. Chapter 7 of their publication, Guidelines for Medico-legal Care for Victims of Sexual Violence, addresses child sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse has very different dynamics than adult sexual abuse.
According to the WHO, the dynamics of child sexual abuse include:
The Enough Abuse Campaign focuses on preventing child sexual abuse in several states throughout the nation. They report that about 96 percent of abusers are male, but some studies also show that women might be perpetrators in 20 to 30 percent of child sexual abuse cases. Many also assume that abusers are mentally ill. In fact, fewer than 5 percent of abusers have an identifiable mental illness.
Children from all walks of life might be victims of child sexual abuse, but some situations and factors increase the risk of abuse.
Guilt can often accompany parents and guardians of child sexual abuse victims because they didn’t notice the signs of abuse. Child sexual abuse can be difficult to notice, especially if the abuser is someone you and your child know and trust. If you suspect abuse, you can watch for the following physical and behavioral signs:
Abusers often try to avoid causing physical signs of abuse to help hide the abuse and make it easier to continue. Yet, some physical signs might exist. According to The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), things you can keep an eye out for include:
The trauma of child sexual abuse can cause victims to act out and change behaviors in certain ways. These behaviors don’t always mean a child has suffered sexual abuse, but if you recognize any of the following behaviors in the child you love, the behaviors should give you pause to talk to the child about abuse.
Common behavioral signs in child sexual abuse victims include:
California has mandatory reporting laws for teachers, school personnel, and others who are frequently around children. Yet, community members also help keep children safe from all types of abuse. If you suspect a child is suffering from sexual abuse, file a report with a local law enforcment agency or Child Protective Services as soon as possible. Parents and guardians can also file a complaint against those who they believe might have harmed their child.
Each county in California has a separate phone number for emergency response to child abuse, you can find the number for the county you live in here. Those who are mandated reporters must report all known or suspected cases of child abuse. Each school district has different policies, but California law requires mandated reporters to file a report with the local police or sheriff, county probation department when applicable, or a county welfare or child protective services department.
Child sexual abuse leaves emotional impacts on a survivor long after the abuse stops, and well into adulthood for many. Taking action against the abuser won’t undo the harm, but it can help provide compensation that a survivor can use for treatment and recovery from the trauma. Those who suffer child sexual abuse often need years of behavioral therapy to work through the trauma they experienced.
Sexual Abuse Attorney, John Gomez
In fact, the CDC reports the following alarming statistics:
If you take action as a parent or guardian, not only are you helping your child confront the abuser, but you are preventing other children from potentially falling victim to the same abuser.
If you are an adult survivor of child sexual abuse, it might not be too late to take action. California grants extra time for survivors to file a lawsuit. Starting on January 1, 2020, victims of childhood sexual abuse will have a 3 year “window” to bring a lawsuit, no matter when the abuse occurred. Starting on January 1, 2023, survivors of child sexual abuse will be required to bring a lawsuit by the time they reach age 40, or within five years from when an adult discovers or should have reasonably discovered their abuse.
A compassionate and skilled attorney can help you through the process.
John Gomez founded the firm alone in 2005. Today, John acts as President and Lead Trial Attorney. He has been voted by his peers as a top ten San Diego litigator in three separate fields: Personal Injury, Insurance and Corporate Litigation. Since 2000, he has recovered over $800 million in settlements and verdicts for his clients with more than 160 separate recoveries of one million dollars or more. A prolific trial lawyer, John has tried to jury verdict more than 60 separate cases.
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