EXPERIENCED BAY AREA LAWYER REPRESENTING ADULT AND CHILD SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

If you know or believe that you were a victim of sexual abuse as a child, whether by a parent, relative, family acquaintance or a member of the clergy, it can be difficult to come forward and seek the justice you deserve. It is important to work with an attorney who can protect your rights. You deserve an attorney who understands the emotional and psychological aspects of these cases, but who also has the knowledge, resources and network to help you address your legal needs.

In California, child abuse is defined as emotionally, physically, or sexually abusing or neglecting a minor by a parent or guardian. It also includes any mental abuse or anguish imposed on a child, cruelty, or child exploitation.

Sexual abuse refers to sexual impropriety, including rape and sexual assault, typically between a child and an adult or a young child and a much older child. Women and children are the most common victims of sexual abuse, which is characterized by the victim's lack of or inability to consent. Child sexual abuse specifically denotes the sexual abuse of a child.

At the Revelation Law Firm, in Berkeley, California, we take a holistic approach when working with men and women who were subjected to sexual abuse. We have experience with cases involving improper conduct by pastors, priests or other members of the clergy. We employ an interdisciplinary model, directing you to workshops or other resources that can help you address the trauma caused by sexual abuse. We can also refer you to other professionals, including social workers, therapists and re-evaluation counselors, so that you can work toward a comprehensive resolution.

We offer a free initial consultation to all clients. For an appointment, contact our office online or call us at 510-665-4195 (toll-free at 888-665-4155).

REPRESENTATION IN ACTIONS AGAINST CLERGY

Pastors, priests and other members of the clergy are placed in positions of great trust and influence, particularly over young children. The mental and emotional confusion that can result from the breach of this trust may lead children to repress any memory of the abuse or wrongful conduct.

We work closely with men and women who are victims of past sexual abuse and who seek to recover for their pain and suffering, as well as shed light on known abusers, to prevent similar acts being perpetrated on others. Our goals when working with victims of child sexual abuse are to seek justice for you and to protect others from going through the terror and pain you experienced.

We work with many clients who suffer from repressed memory syndrome, a condition that may lead victims of child sexual abuse to bury all recollections of the improper sexual conduct. We work with counselors, therapists and others to help you restore and confront those memories, so that you can move toward being whole.

HOLDING INSTITUTIONS ACCOUNTABLE FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Child molestation typically happens because a school, church, business or other organization failed to protect the victim. Child molesters often target schools and day care centers because they give the molester an opportunity to have contact with many children. These organizations frequently ignore warning signs of child sexual molestation and behavior that may indicate abuse. Under California law, schools, day cares, and health care providers are required to report known abuse to law enforcement. However, many institutions try to cover it up, with no regard for the victims they were obligated to protect. If they have suspicions of child molestation, they may fire the suspected employee and hope the problem will go away. But abusers fired from one job will often get another job where they can continue to have access to children.

Failure to report by telephone immediately, or as soon as practicably possible, and in writing within 36 hours is a mis­demeanor "punishable by up to six months confinement in a county jail or by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by both imprisonment and fine." (Pen. Code, §11166, subd. (c).) However, if the mandated reporter's willful failure to report child abuse or neglect results in great bodily injury or death to a child, the mandated reporter "shall be punished by not more than one year in a county jail, by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment." (Pen. Code, §11166.01 (b).) Basically, the purpose of this poten­tial penalty is to ensure that mandated reporters will report all known or reasonably suspected incidents of child abuse im­mediately to the local police or sheriff's department, the county probation department (if designated by the county to receive such reports), or the county welfare department.

POTENTIAL WARNINGS SIGNS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

When warnings appear, it does not necessarily mean that a person is abusing a child. However, it is always important to be aware and cautious when protecting the rights of children. Some of the signs of abuse in children include:

•· Sudden behavioral and emotional changes

•· Changes in school performance

•· Signs of physical injuries

•· Withdrawal or mood swings

•· Unjustifiable fears and nightmares

FAILURE TO MAKE A REQUIRED REPORT

A mandated reporter who fails to make a required report of child abuse is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail or by a $1,000 fine or by both a fine and imprisonment. If however, death or great bodily injury happens to the child as a result of the abuse, the mandated reporter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by not more than one year in a county jail, by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both. He or she may also be found civilly liable for damages, especially if the child-victim or another child is further victimized because of the failure to report. If a mandated reporter conceals his or her failure to report abuse or "severe" neglect, the failure to report is a continuing offense until the failure is discovered by an agency. Because it is a continuing offense, the statute of limitations does not start to run until the failure to report is discovered.

Contact Our Offices

For a free initial consultation, contact us by e-mail or call our offices at 510-665-4195 (toll-free at 888-665-4155).

Disclaimer:

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.Please note that the attorneys of this office are licensed to practice law in the State of California only. We cannot give advice about legal matters in any other state but can assist you in locating suitable local counsel.