The sad reality is that child sexual abuse occurs in child care centers, daycares, summer programs, and even family members. Child sexual abuse is one of the most underreported crimes. In fact, it is reported less often than car accidents, domestic violence, and rape.
In some cases, the abuser is someone you know - a relative, friend, neighbor, teacher, coach, youth leader, babysitter, or caregiver. But sometimes, the abuser is someone outside of your home or community. This could include a stranger, acquaintance, co-worker, or another adult in your child's life.
If your child's daycare center, summer camp, babysitting arrangement, or other childcare setting enabled their sexual abuse, they must be held accountable. We are here to help. We offer free, confidential case assessments so we can determine whether there is a basis for legal action against those responsible.
Hundreds of reports of child sexual abuse emerged in a national report published at the end of last year. The news organization uncovered claims of sexual assault made by at least 578 victims, including some who had been campers at various summer and day camps since the 1960s. Experts say that many more cases could go unreported because of fear of retaliation and shame.
Summer camps provide ample opportunities for sexual predators to prey upon unsuspecting campers. Young children in day camp often spend extended periods of time away from home without supervision. They may be supervised by young and inexperienced camp counselors who lack proper training. This makes it easier for predators to target vulnerable kids.
Child abuse experts agree that there are probably hundreds more victims who were not identified in the report. Many of those victims may never come forward due to fears of retaliation and shame. In addition, the fact that most of the alleged incidents took place decades ago means that witnesses may no longer remember what happened.
Summer camps provide a fun environment for young people to learn about themselves, make friends, and develop skills. But many campers don't realize how vulnerable they really are while away from home. A recent study found that nearly half of youth attending overnight camps reported being sexually assaulted by another camper. And according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, over 2 million children go missing each year.
If you're concerned about your child's safety, here are some things you can do to keep him or her safe during summer camps:
The Boy Scouts of America is facing hundreds of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse against boys who attended summer camp in New Jersey over several decades. Many of the suits allege that the organization knew that scout leaders molested children but failed to protect them.
In New Jersey, the state attorney general filed a suit against the Boy Scouts in June alleging that it was aware of abuse allegations but failed to prevent it. Other states are considering similar actions. A federal lawsuit filed by the Justice Department alleges that the BSA knew of a nationwide cover-up of child sex abuse by its leaders.
Some lawyers say that the Boy Scouts may have been motivated to settle the lawsuits to avoid the publicity that could hurt recruitment efforts. A number of parents said that the organization did not provide enough resources to investigate allegations of abuse and that scoutmasters were permitted to stay on the job after being accused of abuse.
The organization said in a statement that it has taken steps to prevent abuse and is committed to supporting sexual assault victims. If your child is a victim of sexual abuse while part of Boy Scouts, contact our legal team to learn more about filing your own civil lawsuit.
Sexual abuse can take many forms. Children are particularly vulnerable because they don't understand what is happening to them. They might feel confused, ashamed, afraid, angry, or guilty. If you suspect that someone close to you has been victimized, talk to him or her about how he or she feels. You could help prevent future abuse by being aware of warning signs.
The effects of childhood sexual abuse are often long-lasting. They can affect how a person views himself or herself, his or her sexuality, and his or her ability to form healthy relationships later in life. Children who experience sexual abuse often grow up feeling ashamed and confused about what happened. Many feel guilty because they think they caused it themselves. Others blame themselves for being unable to stop it.
In addition to the psychological damage, there are also physical consequences associated with sexual abuse. These range from minor injuries such as cuts and bruises to serious health problems like STDs and HIV/AIDS. If you suspect someone close to you has experienced sexual abuse, contact the National Child Traumatic Stress Network 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-826-7741.
A summer camp sexual abuse lawyer can help you understand your legal options and what happens to your children when a summer camp is accused of child sex abuse.
Summer camps are known to be places where children learn, grow, and make new friends. Parents want their children to have a great summer at their camp, and many hold themselves out as safe environments and protect children that attend their camps. However, sex abuse allegations do occur at camps. Summer camps are governed by laws and rules established by the U.S. Department of Labor, and they must comply with federal laws as well as state laws regarding the care and safety of children. If you suspect that a child is being abused at a camp, please contact a summer camp sexual abuse lawyer as soon as possible.
A summer camp sexual abuse lawyer is a counselor who works with victims of sexual abuse and their families. They are trained to give advice and guidance to victims who have been sexually abused, and they know how to navigate the system and the legal process of finding justice. The legal team at Garden State Justice Group are knowledgeable about the law and regulations that govern the care and safety of children at camps. They can help you find the right agency to help you file a claim and work to ensure that your child receives the proper treatment and counseling to help heal from his or her mental and physical injuries.
Different types of sexual abuse can happen at a summer camp. Some of these include:
If a counselor is convicted of a sex crime, the camp will need to report child sexual abuse to the Department of Labor. The camp will also need to conduct an investigation and submit a report to the Department of Labor. The camp should also notify the Department of Health and Human Services and report the incident to them as well. The Department of Labor will then work to get the camp to pay the victim restitution.
Contact our experienced sexual abuse attorneys today to schedule your free, confidential case consultation.
