Child sexual abuse is incredibly traumatic—not just for the child, but for their parents, as well. In many cases, you have the right to pursue compensation on your child’s behalf if they suffered sexual abuse at the hands of another child. While filing a claim cannot undo the damage sexual abuse has done, it could provide funds that cover your child’s medical treatment or psychological needs.
If a child in your life has suffered sexual abuse at the hands of another child, contact a Santa Ana child-on-child sexual abuse lawyer immediately. An experienced child sexual abuse attorney could help your family understand your rights and pursue the justice your child deserves.
Liability for Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse claims are often complicated, and those involving child-on-child sexual abuse are even more complex. Sexual abuse between children often goes unreported, as adults may brush it under the rug or fail to acknowledge the incident’s severity. Working with a child-on-child sexual abuse attorney in Santa Ana could help you determine who bears liability in your specific case.
The Parents of the Child Who Committed the Abuse
In some cases, the parents of the child who suffered the abuse can file a claim against the parents of the child who perpetrated the abuse. This can include cases in which:
- The parents failed to provide adequate supervision for their child
- The parents knew about their child’s dangerous behaviors, but did nothing to protect others from harm
- The parents encouraged or even led the behaviors
Parents may also bear liability for the actions of their children in cases where they had no way of predicting potentially dangerous behavior.
Adults in Supervisory Roles
Adults in supervisory roles over children, including those in schools, daycares, after-school clubs, programs, and religious institutions, bear a high duty of care to the children in their charge. They must ensure that all children are properly supervised and take additional safety measures when a child has a history of engaging in potentially dangerous behavior. Supervisory adults who fail to do this may bear liability for resulting child-on-child abuse.
Adults Who Fail to Report Abuse
All too often, adults sweep child-on-child sexual abuse under the rug, assuming that it does no harm. Unfortunately, doing so can increase psychological trauma and make it more difficult for the abused child to get the care they need. Because of this, adults who fail to report abuse may also bear liability for child-on-child sexual abuse.
Damages in Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse Claims
Child-on-child sexual abuse can cause immense damage, both financial and psychological. Compensation could cover:
- The cost of your child’s medical treatment, including treatment for STDs or pregnancies, as well as the cost of mental health treatment following child-on-child sexual abuse or assault
- Your child’s future anticipated treatment costs, including the cost of mental health treatment
- Your child’s emotional distress, trauma, and other conditions caused by the attack
Working with a child-on-child sexual abuse lawyer in Santa Ana could help you determine how to move forward with a claim and seek compensation for your child’s losses.
Connect with a Santa Ana Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse Attorney Today
If your child has suffered sexual abuse at the hands of another minor, a Santa Ana child-on-child sexual abuse lawyer could help you recover financial compensation on their behalf. Contact our team at the Cifarelli Law Firm today to learn more about your next steps and receive the dedicated support you need to get through this challenging time.