CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

At the Ramey & Hailey law firm, where we do our part every day to help victims of sexual assault and abuse, we know how very, very hard it is – for both a child victim and for family members – to relive the experience by talking about it with law enforcement and even with us.
And since sexual molestation so often comes about not at the hands of a stranger, but through an adult in a position of trust in a child’s or young person’s life – a minister, a teacher, a mentor, coach, advisor, or a relative – that makes it even harder.

When a child is sexually abused, the consequences can last a lifetime. Common effects include post-traumatic stress disorder, behavior problems, low self-esteem and social isolation, maladjustment in school, aggression, eating disorders, and substance abuse. What’s more, the financial realities are daunting.  Parents face an enormous challenge when it comes to paying for the long term treatment their child is going to need.

When a criminal case is brought against a parent, teacher, or counselor for sexual abuse of a child, that action punishes the perpetrator and possibly helps deter future crimes.  It is only a civil lawsuit, however, that has the power to compensate the victim and his or her family, providing the cash needed to cover the extensive, long-term costs of therapy.

Under Indiana State law, child seduction involves sexual conduct between a child care worker, such as a teacher or coach or counselor and a minor student.  It encompasses conduct of a sexual nature, including sexual intercourse, deviate sexual conduct and any fondling or touching with the intent to arouse either the child or the adult. If a school employee has mistreated your child, the first thing you want to do is make sure the problem stops. But, why would you, as the parent of a child abused by an educator, want to file a civil suit of your own against the school district in which the problem occurred? To receive compensation to help pay for the costs of medical and psychological treatment for your child. 

The sharing of inappropriate information and cyber-bullying are growing forms of personal injury and child abuse. Negative, threatening, and inappropriate comments posted on or linked to social media accounts cause harm, sometimes lasting harm, to victims

As Indiana personal injury attorneys, we cannot imagine a personal injury greater than robbing a child of innocence and trust.