Child Molestation

Defining the Crime

For a parent or legal guardian of a child, there is probably nothing more frightening than discovering that your son or daughter has been the victim of child molestation. Child molestation is child sexual abuse that can range from sexual intercourse, to sexually touching a child. Even non-touching offenses such as deliberately exposing a child to sexual intercourse, or exposing them to pornographic material is considered a criminal act under the law. In the United States there are 39 million adults who have survived sexual abuse and today, there are more than 3 million children who are victims.

According to the Justice Department, there are approximately four million pedophiles in the United States alone. What's more, the Justice Department reports that one in four girls and one in seven boys will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. Tragically, most of those victims struggle alone, believing there isn't an adult who can help them. If your child has been a victim of child molestation, it's crucial that you contact a Houston personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

The effects of child abuse can cause a lifetime of consequence for the victim. Child molestation robs a child of their childhood and creates feelings of guilt, a loss of trust and self-abusive behaviors. It can lead to eating disorders, antisocial behavior, depression, identity confusion and other serious emotional disturbances.

Common signs of sexual abuse include but are not limited to:

• Nightmares or sleep disturbances
• Vomiting
• Bowel problems
• Failure to thrive
• Regression (as in bed wetting)
• Feelings of shame or guilt
• Stranger anxiety
• Depression
• Aggression
• Suicidal gestures (older child)
• Running away from home (older child)

Taking Legal Action

In by far the majority of instances, a child is molested or sexually abused by someone they knew and trusted. The abuser may very well be a family member, a friend of the family, a neighbor, a camp counselor, a teacher, a coach, a Boy Scout leader, or member of the child's church. If your child has come forward or if you have discovered that your child has been molested, it's absolutely critical that you take legal action so that no other children are harmed by the abuser.

At the Doan Law Firm, P.C. child molestation cases are some of the most serious cases they handle. As a family oriented law firm, they take these cases extremely seriously and will stop at nothing to bring the perpetrator to justice. You are urged to contact a personal injury attorney from the firm immediately to schedule your initial consultation.