Savannah Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Child sexual abuse is a serious issue throughout the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one out of every four girls and one out of every 13 boys experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. Over 90 percent of child sexual abuse cases report the perpetrators as someone who knows the child or their family. Children are vulnerable to sexual abuse, and trusted individuals may be the offender. A Savannah child sexual abuse lawyer at Dolman Law Group can help get the guilty party responsible.

Child Sexual Abuse and Its Forms

Physical contact doesn't need to occur to be considered sexual abuse. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual abuse can happen when a child is involved in sexual behavior that:

• They don't fully understand
• They're unable to give informed consent or permission
• Violates taboos and societal morality

The following are some examples of child sexual abuse:

• An inducing or coercing of a child to engage in any illicit sexual activity
• An act of exploiting a child in prostitution or other illegal sexual activities
• The exploitative use of minors in pornographic performances and materials

If you or your child was a victim of child sexual abuse, our Savannah child sexual abuse lawyers can help you pursue your perpetrators.

The Effects of Child Sexual Abuse

Because experiencing sexual abuse is so traumatic, victims may suffer from long-term effects, such as:

• Physical injuries
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Substance abuse
• Risky sexual behaviors
• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Cancer

Who Is to Blame For Child Sexual Abuse?

Child sexual abusers can include teachers, priests, trainers, family members, and other individuals. A child can be a victim of a range of sexual abuse, from molestation to rape. These lewd behaviors have a spectrum of severity, and victims can take years to recover from them. While the actual abuser is the primary party to blame, they are not always the only ones. In multiple instances, the abuse may result from the school's or another organization's negligent conduct or passiveness in caring for the child. You can consider these institutions to be careless if they don't act in your child's best interests. One way to prevent this from happening to another child is to file a lawsuit against these organizations.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Child Sexual Abuse in Savannah

The statute of limitations is a time restriction during which you can pursue the perpetrator for compensation. The statutes of limitations for child sexual assault and other forms of child abuse differ dramatically from state to state. For Georgia:

• In general, you have two years from the date of the alleged sexual assault to launch a civil case against the perpetrator, per O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.
• The state may toll this deadline if a minor or senior was a victim of the crime.

Remember that the numbers above don't always apply in every situation. Apart from whether you pursue a civil or criminal, the form of sexual abuse will also be a factor in determining the statute of limitations, such as the specific age of the victim when the act occurred and the degree of severity. Either way, you may want to consider talking to a Savannah child sexual abuse lawyer at our firm as soon as possible. Together, you can clarify any time limits that might prevent you from filing a lawsuit because it's too late.

Who Has the Right to File a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Typically, the child sexual assault victim is the one who files a claim (once they have reached adulthood) against the perpetrator. However, if the sexual abuse victim is still a minor, the parent or guardian can file a lawsuit. They may represent the child and their interests throughout a judicial trial. While the child can testify, the adult and their lawyer can help on their behalf with legal matters.

Our Sexual Abuse Attorneys Will Hold the Guilty Party Financially Responsible

Sexual assault, whether perpetrated by a stranger, a caregiver, a teacher, a mentor, or even a family member, is one of the most painful actions a victim can experience.  Sexual abuse can leave victims with emotional and mental wounds that can last a lifetime. As a result, victims deserve to obtain compensation for their damages.  Filing a lawsuit will help ensure that the victim receives the compensation they deserve and that similar behavior does not occur in your area again. A lawyer with our firm can assist you with various procedures like these:

• Establishing who might be liable
• Navigating the difficulties of concurrent criminal processes
• Collaborating with law enforcement officers
• Gathering evidence, such as witness statements
• Assessing the full extent of your losses
• Communicating with the parties involved and their representatives
• Bringing the victim's case to court if required

After reading this list of services, you may feel hesitant to hire our team. However, since we work on contingency, finances won't be of concern to you. Our attorneys won't take any payment from you out of pocket, hourly, or up front. Instead, our fee comes from the compensation we secure for you. That way, you limit your financial risk, and we can start working on your case right away.

Get Help from Dolman Law Group for Help with Your Child Sexual Abuse Case

To explore and better understand your situation, contact Dolman Law Group for a free consultation. Our Savannah child sex abuse lawyers can give you more information about your options. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with our offices right away.