I didn’t realize until I was 26 years old that being molested at fifteen was in fact child sexual abuse. You might be asking yourself does what happened to me count? My advice is talk to a professional. In this case, seek out an attorney that can help you navigate the law and see how to proceed. Either way, don’t
I would recommend reaching out to the National Crime Victims Bar Association. They have a certified attorney referral service and are certified by the American Bar Association. And all they do is civil claims. You can tell them what happened to you and where, and they can help you figure out what kind of lawyer you need and where, and
Not all lawyers are the same. Just like not all doctors are the same kind of doctor. If you have a brain tumor you don’t want to go see a dentist. If you have an abscess tooth, you don’t want to go see a podiatrist So first, it’s important to make sure that you find an attorney who handles child
Any sexual conduct with a minor counts as childhood sexual abuse Because children lack the legal capacity to consent. We hold adults accountable and expect adults to know that you can’t have sexual contact with children and that’s why any type of sexual contact with a minor is going to count as childhood sexual abuse.
The thing about sharing your story is that it helps with closure and it helps process everything and gives other people the voice that they need to speak up and be able to go out and share their story.
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to talk about the abuse and free yourself from keeping that deep dark secret, because in my case, I couldn’t live my healthy best life until I talked about that deep dark secret.
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to talk about the abuse and free yourself from keeping that deep dark secret, because in my case, I couldn’t live my healthy best life until I talked about that deep dark secret.
By coming forward and sharing my story and working with groups like safe shores here in Washington DC, and me being open and honest. Sharing how I was being abused was so harmful to my health and how important it is to share. I realize that the kid never did anything wrong and it’s never been my fault. One thing
Before I came forward with my story about being abused, I felt incredibly alone. I felt like I was the only person who was going through this kind of abuse. And when sharing my story, not only was I able to get the help, therapy, and money I needed to move out of my abusive home, I was also able
It took me so long to come forward to talk about my fears because I thought it was my fault. I was the one that got in the car with the police officer who abused me and there was nothing that could be done that would changed my mind that it was not my fault. Not until much later, I
If you’re looking for help and you tell one person that first person doesn’t listen, keep on going, keep on asking, keep on telling, because at some point someone will listen and your voice will be heard.
It matters because time does not heal all wounds. There isnt a statute of limitations on murder–on taking someone elses life. Even if it happened 40 or 50 years ago, the fact that it happened so long ago doesnt minimize the heinous nature of that act. To destroy someones life or forever alter how they look at themselves or other
Absolutely. There are numerous people turned down by IRCP that are filling civil suits. Often times the difference is that when you go into the IRCP youre not represented by a lawyer; youre just talking to the church, so when you say, When I was 10 years old, Father Jones molested me, and they say well we dont know anything
It can be difficult to talk to your family about child sexual abuse you’ve experienced in general. It’s even more complicated when the abuser is a family member or family friend. Your family members might have sympathies toward them that impede them from being sympathetic toward the abuse that you suffered. There are groups out there that can help you
If you file a lawsuit, is it possible that your abuser will counter sue you? Yes, but that doesn’t mean they’re gonna win. Oftentimes, it’s just a legal tactic to try and intimidate you. Trust your attorney, and they’ll be able to take actions to protect you. Oftentimes those countersuits by abusers are thrown out.
Many survivors are scared to come forward during a civil window period because they think they need an inordinate amount of proof but really survivors just need their truth and their story. You know what happened so that’s when you need to talk to a good civil attorney and tell them what you know. You know who abused you you
Zero Abuse Project is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to the elimination of child sexual abuse. Our programs are designed to provide training and education to professionals and students, and to help transform institutions to effectively prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse.
