Sexual Child Abuse Lawyers
Child sexual abuse can cause profound and lasting harm. Survivors may experience physical injuries as well as emotional, psychological, educational, and developmental consequences that continue long after the abuse ends. In many cases, the effects of childhood sexual abuse may not be fully understood until years later.
Abuse can occur in homes, schools, daycare centers, camps, religious organizations, youth programs, sports organizations, medical settings, and other environments where adults are entrusted with the safety of children. In addition to the individual who committed the abuse, an organization or institution may potentially bear responsibility when its own wrongful conduct or negligence contributed to the abuse or allowed it to continue.
At The Law Office of Todd I. Siegel, we represent injured individuals and families throughout New Jersey. We understand that cases involving childhood sexual abuse require sensitivity, confidentiality, and careful investigation of both the person who committed the abuse and any individuals or institutions that may have failed to protect the child.
What Is Child Sexual Abuse?
Child sexual abuse encompasses sexual conduct involving a minor that is prohibited by law. It can involve physical contact, exploitation, grooming, or other inappropriate sexual conduct.
Sexual abuse may include:
Inappropriate sexual touching
Sexual assault
Sexual exploitation
Forcing or coercing a child to participate in sexual activity
Exposing a child to sexual conduct or material
Creating or possessing sexually exploitative images of a child
Grooming behavior intended to facilitate abuse
Other unlawful sexual conduct involving a minor
Children cannot be expected to recognize or respond to these situations in the same manner as adults. Abusers may use authority, manipulation, secrecy, threats, gifts, or a child's trust to facilitate or conceal abusive behavior.
Where Can Child Sexual Abuse Occur?
Sexual abuse can occur anywhere an abuser gains access to a child.
Cases may involve abuse occurring in:
Schools
Daycare centers
Camps
Youth organizations
Sports teams and athletic programs
Religious institutions
Foster care or residential facilities
Medical facilities
After-school programs
Private homes
Transportation settings
Other organizations serving children
When abuse occurs within an organization, an investigation may examine whether administrators, supervisors, or other responsible individuals knew or should have known about dangerous conduct and whether reasonable measures were taken to protect children.
Signs of Possible Child Sexual Abuse
Children do not always disclose sexual abuse immediately. Some may not fully understand what happened, while others may feel frightened, embarrassed, confused, or responsible for keeping the abuse secret.
Possible warning signs can include:
Sudden behavioral changes
Fear of a particular adult or location
Withdrawal from friends or family
Anxiety or depression
Nightmares or difficulty sleeping
Changes in eating habits
Regression in previously developed behaviors
Unexplained physical complaints
Difficulty concentrating at school
Declining academic performance
Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge or behavior
Avoidance of changing clothes or physical activities
Running away
Self-destructive behavior
A child directly reporting inappropriate conduct
The presence of one or more of these signs does not necessarily establish that sexual abuse occurred. However, concerning changes or disclosures should be taken seriously and appropriately investigated.
Grooming and Child Sexual Abuse
Abuse does not always begin suddenly. In many cases, an abuser first builds trust with a child, and often with the child's family, before any abuse takes place. This process is commonly called grooming.
Grooming behavior may involve:
Giving a child unusual attention or gifts
Seeking opportunities to be alone with the child
Communicating privately with the child
Testing or gradually crossing physical and emotional boundaries
Encouraging the child to keep secrets
Isolating the child from family members or friends
Building trust with the child's parents to gain access to the child
Grooming can be difficult to recognize because the behavior may initially appear friendly or helpful. Concerns about an adult's behavior toward a child should be taken seriously.
The Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse
The harm caused by child sexual abuse can extend far beyond the abuse itself. Survivors may face emotional, psychological, educational, and physical effects, and some effects may not become apparent until years later.
Possible effects may include:
Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress
Difficulty trusting others
Problems in school or at work
Sleep difficulties and nightmares
Self-harm or substance abuse
Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships
Feelings of guilt, shame, or fear
Survivors may need counseling, therapy, and other forms of support, sometimes for many years.
Institutional Responsibility
When abuse occurs in a school, daycare, camp, religious organization, sports program, or other institution, the organization's own conduct may become an important part of the case.
An investigation may consider whether an organization:
Properly screened and checked the background of employees and volunteers
Provided appropriate training and supervision
Had and followed policies for protecting children
Received prior complaints or reports about an individual
Ignored warning signs of inappropriate behavior
Failed to report or investigate suspected abuse
Allowed a person to keep working with children despite known concerns
Whether an organization can be held legally responsible depends on the specific facts and the applicable law.
Reporting Suspected Child Sexual Abuse in New Jersey
Protecting the child should always be the immediate priority. If a child is in immediate danger, emergency assistance should be sought right away.
Under New Jersey law, a person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused must immediately report the suspected abuse to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. A person does not need proof before making a report.
A child who discloses abuse should be listened to calmly and supported. Medical care and counseling may also be important.
Evidence in a Child Sexual Abuse Case
These cases are sensitive and often involve limited physical evidence, so a careful investigation can be important.
Potential evidence may include:
Medical and counseling records
Statements made by the child or others
Communications, including messages and emails
School, daycare, or organization records
Employment and personnel records
Prior complaints or reports
Background check information
Records of investigations by child-protection or law enforcement agencies
Expert testimony
Families should avoid destroying messages, records, or other information that may become relevant.
Time Limits for Child Sexual Abuse Claims
Claims arising from childhood sexual abuse can involve special legal rules, and the time limits that apply may differ from those in other injury cases. In some situations, survivors may be able to bring a claim many years after the abuse occurred.
Because these rules are complex and can change, survivors and families should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to understand which deadlines apply to their situation.
Compensation in a Child Sexual Abuse Case
A civil claim is separate from any criminal prosecution or child-protection proceeding that may arise from the same conduct. The purpose of a civil case is to seek compensation for the harm caused.
Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, damages may include:
Counseling, therapy, and other medical expenses
Future treatment and care
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Educational and vocational impact
Lost earning capacity
Other damages available under New Jersey law
Who May Be Held Responsible for Child Sexual Abuse?
Responsibility depends on where and how the abuse occurred.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
The individual who committed the abuse
Schools and school districts
Daycare centers and childcare providers
Camps and youth programs
Religious and community organizations
Sports organizations and clubs
Other institutions or individuals whose negligence allowed the abuse to occur or continue
Some cases involve more than one responsible party. A thorough investigation can help determine who knew or should have known about the danger and whether reasonable steps could have been taken to protect the child.
Contact a New Jersey Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Survivors and their families deserve to be heard, protected, and treated with dignity. Cases involving childhood sexual abuse require sensitivity, confidentiality, and a careful investigation.
For more than 30 years, The Law Office of Todd I. Siegel has represented injured individuals and families throughout New Jersey. Our firm helps survivors and families understand their legal options and pursue compensation when wrongful conduct or negligence allowed harm to a child.
If you or your child has been affected by sexual abuse, contact The Law Office of Todd I. Siegel for a confidential discussion about your case and your legal options.
