Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse Lawyers in Seattle

RCW 26-44-020 defines abuse and neglect as:

“Injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by any person under circumstances which indicate that the child’s health, welfare, and safety is harmed. Abuse and neglect does NOT include the physical discipline of a child.”

According to the Washington State Attorney General’s office, the following may be signals of the presence of child abuse or neglect:

The Child

• Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
• Lacks adult supervision
• Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
• Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

The Parent

• Shows little concern for the child
• Denies the existence of-or blames the child for-the child’s problems in school or at home
• Asks teachers or other caretakers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
• Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome
• Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve
• Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs

The Parent and Child

• Rarely touch or look at each other
• Consider their relationship entirely negative
• State that they do not like each other

If you believe that you or someone you love has been subjected to this type of assault, please contact Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to set up a case evaluation with one of our experienced attorneys. Please call us at 206-727-4000. All consultations are completely confidential.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), sexual abuse is defined as any unwanted sexual activity brought on by a perpetrator through the use of force or threats, or through taking advantage of a victim who is unable to give consent.

In addition to physical trauma, victims of sexual abuse typically experience both short-term and long-term emotional trauma. Examples of emotional trauma in victims of sexual abuse include:

• Moderate to extreme anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Paranoia
• Isolation

The above is especially true when children become the victims of sexual abuse or rape. Overall, it is estimated that children are roughly three times more likely to be victims of rape or sexual abuse than adults are.

While every state in the U.S. has some form of legislation that requires the reporting of child sexual abuse, the reality is that a significant amount of these crimes go unreported. In fact, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) estimates that only 46 out of every 100 cases of sexual abuse or rape are reported to police.

Victims of sexual abuse or child abuse may bring a civil legal claim or lawsuit against anyone who was in a position to prevent or stop the abuse from happening. Examples include claims against:

• The Department of Social and Health Services
• A daycare provider
• A school
• A church or religious organization
• A hospital

More than 200,000 individuals become the victims of sexual assault each year, and 54 percent of assaults or abuses are not reported to police. Every year 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving 6 million children. Many are abused by parents, caregivers, or other adults such as teachers or clergy.

If you or a loved one believes they have a child abuse claim, please contact an attorney at Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers as soon as possible: 206-727-4000.

Sexual exploitation involves manipulation by a person who is in a position of power and uses that position to leverage sexual activity. Often times, sexual abuse stems from a person in a position of power over the victim.

Examples of sexual exploitation include:

• Sexual abuse involving a school teacher and student, or a person with a similar position of authority over a student.
• Children in foster homes, protective services or similar environments in which the children are abused while under the care of licensed adults.
• Children who are abused while attending summer camps or other extended activities, such as the Boy Scouts, day care, youth sports leagues, etc.
• Children or adults who have been admitted to a medical care facility and abused by a healthcare professional or while under the supervision of healthcare professionals.
• Children or adults who have been abused by a member of the Catholic clergy.