The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both report that as many as one in four girls and one in six boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before age 18. However, this statistic may be underestimating the problem, due to underreporting of this crime by victims.
Children are often afraid to report sexual abuse because they feel ashamed or guilty. In many cases, the perpetrators use threats and fear to keep young victims quiet.
If you or your family has been affected by this crime, it is important to understand that you are not alone. At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., our crime victim attorneys can provide help in coming forward and reporting sexual abuse or assault. Attorney Jeffrey Fritz is an experienced crime victims’ lawyer. He is a charter member and past president of the National Crime Victim Bar Association, an affiliate of the National Center for Victims of Crime.
“Jeff Fritz is a passionate voice for victims of child sexual abuse. Until I found Jeff, other lawyers I spoke with told me if I wanted a crusader, to look somewhere else. I’m glad we did. It is that crusading spirit that keeps him on the case until it is finished.”
-Sonya Post
We represent parents of minors who were abused as well as adults who were sexually abused as children. We hold the responsible parties accountable and recover full and fair compensation for your past, present and future damages. Schedule a free consultation with one of our child molestation victim attorneys in Philadelphia.
We represent child sexual assault victims in lawsuits against perpetrators and institutions that failed to protect against sexual assaults, including schools, universities, hospitals and clinics, daycare centers, youth organizations, babysitters, sports teams, and churches.
Attorney Jeffrey Fritz also represented some of the victims in the Penn State/Jerry Sandusky case.
Our law firm emphasizes comprehensive representation of crime victims’ needs in the criminal and civil justice systems. We also help our clients obtain resources for counseling, medical care, and lost wages through insurance and other means.
Our child molestation lawyers in Philadelphia work to protect the privacy and dignity of victims throughout the process. For example, we can file civil suits under pseudonyms, such as John or Jane Doe, and seal court documents. We may also be able to use closed-circuit televisions during the trial to keep victims and perpetrators in different rooms.
Virtually any adult can potentially victimize a child in this heinous manner. That said, it is not uncommon for the perpetrator of child sexual molestation to be someone who has power over a child. Such individuals may include:
For understandable reasons, children are often reluctant to come forward and speak out when they have been the victim of sexual molestation. Sometimes, this is because victims are so young that they do not fully understand that they have been abused. All they know is an adult with authority has warned them against speaking out about their experiences.
Older children might feel shame or fear when considering discussing their trauma. Regardless, it is often up to a child’s parents or other such individuals to identify the signs of sexual molestation. They may include:
Yes, there are many other potential explanations for these issues. You should not necessarily assume a child is being sexually abused if you notice these developments. However, you also should not ignore them. Be sure to investigate the matter more thoroughly with a lawyer in Philadelphia if you have any reason to be suspicious or child molestation.
It is important to understand that victims of child sexual molestation can certainly go on to live fulfilling and happy lives. That said, it is also worth noting that this experience can be quite devastating.
Potential difficulties a child might face both in the immediate aftermath of trauma and in the years to come include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:
Through proper treatment and counseling, a victim of child sexual molestation can address their difficulties and overcome such challenges. This does not mean their abuser should not be held accountable. By taking legal action, a victim can seek financial compensation for these losses and damages, relieving them of at least some of their burdens.
They may also prevent other children from being harmed in the future. If an abuser is held accountable, they may be less likely to commit the same crimes against other children going forward.
This highlights an important point. If you have been the victim of sexual molestation as a child, or you are the parent or guardian of a child who has endured this painful experience, enlisting the help of a sexual abuse attorney in Philadelphia does not merely serve to benefit you. It can also allow you to guard against others facing the same struggles.
For a free confidential consultation with one of our Philadelphia child molestation lawyers, please contact us.