Los Angeles Foster Care Abuse Lawyer
There is absolutely no excuse for child abuse. Children are vulnerable and depend upon people in positions of trust. Whether committed by the child’s birth parents, adopted parents, a daycare center, or foster caretakers, child abuse should not be tolerated in any form. Children in the foster care system already have enough trauma to process without the horrific actions of abusers and predators.
The foster care abuse lawyer at Morris Law Firm has years of experience helping our most vulnerable hold abusers accountable for their actions. Victims of physical or sexual abuse have a right to seek justice for the harm they suffered, even if it occurred years ago. If you experienced violence or sexual abuse while in the foster care system as a child, or if you are the caretaker of a child who was previously abused, call a zealous foster care abuse attorney at Morris Law Firm for compassionate advice and dedicated representation.
Legal Options for Foster Care Abuse Survivors
Victims of foster care abuse have several options for holding their abusers liable, depending upon the nature of the conduct and when the conduct occurred. Child abusers and perpetrators of child sexual abuse can be held accountable in civil court as well as prosecuted under California’s criminal law.
Recently, legislators passed the California Child Victims Act (CCVA), effective January 1, 2020. The law was passed to help survivors of child abuse bring their abusers to justice, acknowledging that child abuse often goes unreported and undetected for years. Previously, child sex abuse survivors could not bring claims after their 26th birthday. Because many victims of abuse do not come to terms with that abuse for years or decades after their childhood and the abuse has ended, the law now allows for claims to be brought much later in life.
Under the CCVA, victims of child sex abuse can now bring a claim against the abuser until either their 40th birthday or within five years of the date the victim discovered a psychological injury occurring in adulthood that was caused by the childhood abuse. The victim has until the later of the two dates to bring a claim.
Additionally, a victim of childhood sexual abuse currently any age can bring a claim against their abuser until the end of 2022. If you were the victim of foster care abuse or other childhood sexual abuse, talk to a child abuse lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your claims are preserved and your abuser is held to justice.
Signs and Symptoms of Foster Care Abuse
If there’s a child in your life–whether you are a friend, a teacher, a coach, a counselor, or otherwise involved–keep an eye out for the signs of foster care abuse. Victims of child sexual abuse may exhibit several symptoms, including:
- Aversion to being touched in any way
- Depressive or suicidal thoughts or actions
- Sexual aggression or dressing/acting excessively provocatively
- Excessive or compulsive masturbation
- Mimicry of sexual acts with toys or other children
- Regressive behaviors, such as “baby talk” or accidental urination
- Changes in behavior
- Changes in grooming habits, or lack of proper grooming
- Bruises, fractures, and other unexplained injuries
If you suspect a child in your life is being abused in the foster care system, call a foster care abuse lawyer to discuss options for getting the child to safety.
Call a Foster Care Abuse Attorney in Los Angeles at Morris Law Firm for Help With Your Claims Today
If you have been the victim of abuse in the foster care system, or if you have any reason to suspect that a child you know is getting anything less than the loving care they deserve, call a Southern California foster care abuse lawyer today. The seasoned foster care abuse and child abuse attorney at Morris Law Firm will investigate your claims and make sure that any abusers, and any enablers, are held responsible for the devastation they have caused.
Call us today at 747-283-1144 for a fast response or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.
