Child sexual abuse is a traumatic and dreadful crime that no amount of reparation can truly make up for. However, California child sexual abuse lawyers do everything they can to help victims and their families move forward. These are just a few of the ways victims can begin to recover.

Holding the Abuser Accountable 

The idea of pursuing legal action against an abuser may feel overwhelming or too stressful to bear. But letting this person walk away could mean that they continue abusing other children. 

An experienced California child sexual abuse lawyer can help you and your family seek justice against your child’s abuser. They can handle your entire legal process while you attempt to move past this horrendous incident. 

Child sexual abuse may be a misdemeanor or a felony in California, depending on the severity of the abuse, with a prison sentence of 16 years or longer. 

Because child sexual abuse is a crime, the state will prosecute the case, and you and your family won’t need to be involved unless you want to testify.  

The first step is reporting the abuse. Your California child sexual abuse lawyer can help you know how to proceed.  

Trauma Processing and Survivor Support

No matter how young your child is, the abuse will likely leave a lasting impact on them. Seek therapy for your child as soon as possible to help them begin processing the trauma while learning healthy ways to cope with the stress, anxiety, and other emotions that may arise. 

Watch out for any symptoms of PTSD your child may exhibit, such as:

• Frightening dreams
• Agitation
• Repetitive play with themes of abuse
• Bedwetting
• Thumb sucking past the appropriate age

Discuss these symptoms with your child’s psychiatrist. Understand that your child may also adopt new and unexpected behaviors as a way of coping with the abuse.

You and your family may also seek support to process the incredibly challenging emotions you experience after this event. Many organizations and groups offer support — for example, Mothers of Sexually Abused Children (MOSAC) provides a safe space for parents to discuss their experiences and emotions.

Seeking Victim Compensation

Your family has the right to seek compensation on behalf of your child. Compensation can make up for the economic and non-economic damages you and your family have suffered due to this atrocious act. It can cover expenses like:

• Medical bills
• Mental health support
• Lost income
• Any other out-of-pocket expenses

The legal claim can also cover non-economic damages like emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. 

Your California child sexual abuse lawyer will guide you through the compensation process and handle as much of the stress and burden as possible for you so you do not need to relive the abuse. 

California’s Statute of Limitations

If you or another adult loved one experienced sexual abuse as a child, it may not be too late to hold the abuser financially accountable. 

In 2024, California removed the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits against childhood sexual assault. For incidents taking place before 2024, child sexual abuse victims must file a claim by their 40th birthday. If you did not discover psychological illness or injury from the abuse until after your 40th birthday, you’ll instead have five years from the date of discovery. 

The Cifarelli Law Firm: Fighting for the Rights of Child Sexual Abuse Victims in California 

At The Cifarelli Law Firm, we’re committed to helping survivors of child sexual abuse and their families overcome this tremendous hardship.  Contact our California child sexual abuse lawyers today at (949) 409-6324 for a free consultation.