Child sexual abuse involves any form of unwanted sexual conduct with an adolescent or teen adolescent. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey Report are chilling:
This heinous act can leave a lifetime of physical and mental scars on a child. If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse or your child has been abused, you have legal options that may help alleviate your pain.
What Constitutes Child Sexual Abuse
Examples of child sexual abuse include:
These behaviors often involve force, intimidation, or threats to coerce a minor’s participation. Other forms of adolescent sexual abuse include child pornography and grooming behavior in which someone builds an emotional connection with a child to manipulate them into sexual exploitation.
In Colorado, it is illegal for an adult to engage in any sexual activity with a person under the age of 17. The penalties for such offenses are severe and may involve jail time or prison sentences for perpetrators. Even if the perpetrator does not physically touch the child——they can still be found guilty of child sexual abuse if they engage in acts like exposing themselves to the child or showing pornographic material to the child.
Child Sexual Abuse Can Happen Anywhere
Child sexual abuse is most commonly perpetrated a parents, family member, or other caregiver to the child. However, it is also commonly perpetrated by persons who are in other positions of authority and trust over the child.
Common perpetrators include:
Parents and families must be aware of potential perpetrators and signs of abuse in children. It is also essential to create an environment where children feel safe and secure speaking up if they or someone they know is being abused. We must end the silence around child sexual abuse and create an atmosphere where it can no longer remain hidden.
Seeking Justice
Child sexual abuse survivors in Colorado can seek justice through civil lawsuits, where they can collect damages for physical and emotional harm caused by the abuser. Depending on the case, damages can include payment for medical bills related to the abuse, pain and suffering compensation, punitive damages, and lost wages from work missed due to the abuse.
Survivors may receive compensation for psychological trauma caused by the abuse, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and various other mental health issues associated with their experience. They may also be compensated for any physical injuries sustained from the abuse or treatment of such injuries. Survivors may also obtain damages for loss of life enjoyment if the abuse’s effects significantly alter their quality of life.
Many survivors also benefit emotionally from holding their abuser accountable in court, providing them much-needed closure after such an emotionally traumatic experience. Many abusers must pay restitution or perform community service as part of their sentences in criminal cases related to child sexual abuse. This serves as another form of justice for survivors who experienced long-lasting consequences from someone else’s crimes.
Lamothe Law Firm Supports Survivors
At Lamothe Law Firm, we understand how difficult it can be for survivors of child sexual abuse in Colorado to come forward and seek justice. Our attorneys are dedicated to seeking compensation for survivors with damages that are both financial and emotional.
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills arising from the abuse or therapy bills incurred due to emotional trauma.
You may also be able to recover damages for pain and suffering caused by the abuser’s malicious actions.
At Lamothe Law Firm, we understand the seriousness of this crime and are committed to providing compassionate legal counsel throughout your case. We firmly believe you deserve justice if you were wronged—and our legal team will fight hard on your behalf.
Lamothe Law Firm Seeks Justice for Child Sexual Abuse Survivors
Child sexual abuse is a complicated and deeply personal issue. We are here to support survivors’ decisions and fight for justice. If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse or your child has suffered sexual abuse, contact Lamothe Law Firm today to learn more about your legal options and confidentially discuss your case to learn how we can help.
If a pastor, priest, rabbi, or other faith-based leader has sexually abused you or someone you love, please contact us today to schedule a confidential meeting. Because of our experience with these cases, we understand the need for sensitivity and compassion.
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