Riverside Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Manly, Stewart & Finaldi has been helping survivors of child sexual abuse seek justice and financial compensation for more than a quarter of a century. We have all of the legal knowledge, resources and experience that you need for a strong sexual abuse case. Most importantly, we are passionate about helping victims of child sex abuse bring perpetrators and the institutions that failed to protect them to justice. Find out how our lawyers can help you during a free case consultation in Riverside, California.

The Facts About Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse occurs more often than most people realize. Estimates state that more than 65,000 children are sexually abused in the U.S. each year. Child sexual abuse refers to any form of sexual activity with a child or minor (someone under the age of 18), as minors cannot lawfully give their consent. The instigator could be another child, an older child or adolescent, or an adult. Sexual abusers who target children often take advantage of positions of trust, such as family members, friends of the family, teachers, coaches, tutors, priests, scout leaders and doctors.

There are two main types of child sexual abuse: physical and nonphysical. Physical child sexual abuse includes touching the child’s private parts (including the breasts of a female), fondling or groping a child, inappropriate kissing, penetrating the vagina or anus, putting objects inside of the child, rape, statutory rape, and sodomy. Nonphysical abuse can include taking inappropriate photos of the child, exposing the child to pornography, verbally sexually harassing a child, watching the child undress or go to the bathroom, and masturbating in front of a child.

The Effects of Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse often has permanent effects on a survivor. These effects can be physical, behavioral, emotional, mental and psychological. Effects that survivors frequently experience include:

  • Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Phobias
  • Trouble sleeping or eating
  • Chronic depression and anxiety
  • Chronic health problems, such as heart conditions
  • Feelings of guilt or shame
  • Feelings of low self-worth
  • Substance use and abuse
  • Sexual promiscuity
  • Unplanned pregnancy
  • Self-harm behaviors
  • Increased risk of suicide

Child sexual abuse is a terrible crime with a lasting impact. Most sex abuse survivors have to go through years of therapy, counseling and medications to cope with what happened to them.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse Cases in California?

The extremely traumatic nature of child sexual abuse means that some victims’ brains repress these memories, resulting in the delayed discovery of the connection between the victim’s current mental health problems and being sexually abused as a child. If a victim does remember what happened, it can still take years for the victim to come forward. Sexual abuse is an incredibly difficult thing to talk about with others – and it is even more difficult to face an abuser and make accusations publicly.

Lawmakers in California realize there are a variety of reasons why a victim does not come forward right away. They recently voted AB-218 into law, which extends California’s statute of limitations on sexual abuse civil lawsuits. Currently, survivors have until age 40 to bring claims for child sex abuse, or 5 years from the date of discovery (whichever comes later). The deadline if the victim was not a minor at the time of the sexual assault is 10 years from the date of the incident or 3 from the date of discovery.

Contact Us Today for a Free and Private Case Review in Riverside

You come first at Manly, Stewart & Finaldi. Whatever you need to feel seen, heard and protected, we will provide. If you would like your identity to remain anonymous throughout your child sex abuse case, we will keep it confidential. We are your legal advocates, here to demand justice and maximum financial compensation from those who wronged you or a loved one as a child. Find out if you have a case – and if so, how our attorneys can help – during a free and confidential consultation. Call (800) 700-8450 or send us a secure message online anytime.