Child sexual abuse is a serious public health problem. It can cause irreparable harm to a child. It involves sexual activity with a minor when the minor does not fully comprehend or consent to the activity. Sexual assault of a child is a criminal offense throughout the country.
Sadly, child sexual abuse is more common than people understand. About 25% of girls and 20% of boys are victims of child sexual abuse. About 91% of the perpetrators are known and trusted by the child.
Examples of someone in a position of authority over a child include:
- Teachers
- Coaches
- Foster parents
- Religious leaders
- Medical professionals
- Volunteer youth leaders
- Sports doctors
- Athletic trainers
The abuser uses their position to sexually abuse the child while they are supposedly helping, training, or guiding them. Many of these individuals work with organizations or institutions that offer youth programs for children and teens.
Examples of organizations with a history of sexual assault and abuse of children include:
The Boy Scouts of America
The Boys Scouts of America (BSA) have been accused of allowing children to be sexually abused over decades. The organization kept records of sexual abuse complaints but did not act on those complaints. In many cases, no action was taken because it was a child’s word against an adult. In response to numerous lawsuits and claims for sexual abuse of children, the BSA filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church has a long-standing history of covering up child sexual abuse by priests and others in the church. Priests used their positions as men of God to force children into participating in sexual acts.
When the complaints of clergy abuse became public, the Church would minimize the acts by calling them “inappropriate contact” instead of sexual assault. Instead of punishing priests, the Church relocated them; however, they would not prevent them from continuing to work with children. The Church also failed to keep records of reports of abuse.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed against the Church by survivors of sexual abuse by priests and church administrators.
Other Organizations Known for Child Sexual Assault and Abuse
Many organizations have faced scrutiny because they ignored or attempted to conceal child sexual abuse within their organizations. Examples of organizations where children are subject to being sexually abused and assaulted by adults include, but are not limited to:
- Athletic teams and youth sports
- Schools and daycares
- Juvenile detention centers
- Therapist offices
- Foster care system
- Summer camps
Any organization that provides services or support to children could give a perpetrator the tools necessary to sexually assault a child. These organizations could share liability for the damages caused by child sexual assault.
Who Is Responsible for Child Sexual Abuse in Youth Organizations in Minnesota?
In many cases, administrators and others in charge knew or suspected the abuse but chose to protect the organization instead of the child. Organizations have failed to take reasonable steps to protect the children in their care from sexual abuse, including:
- Using thorough screening and selecting procedures, including conducting background checks
- Training employees about preventing, recognizing, and reporting child sexual abuse
- Monitoring the behavior of the employees
- Providing guidelines on how to safely and appropriately interact with children
- Setting policies for responding to complaints and allegations of child sexual abuse
In addition to the abuser, other individuals and organizations could be liable for damages in a civil lawsuit if they were negligent in allowing the abuse to occur and/or continue. A survivor of child sexual abuse could receive economic and non-economic damages by filing a personal injury claim against the responsible parties.
What Should I Do if I Suspect My Child Was Sexually Abused in Minneapolis, MN?
Call 911 to report the abuse to the police and seek immediate medical treatment for your child. Your child may also need counseling and therapy to deal with the emotional distress and mental anguish caused by the sexual abuse.
After ensuring your child’s safety, get help with a legal claim from a Minneapolis child sexual abuse lawyer. An attorney investigates the allegations to identify the parties responsible for hurting your child. They gather evidence to build a civil case against them for damages. A civil case can be filed regardless of whether law enforcement agencies pursue criminal charges.
Protecting your child is your first priority. Allowing a Minneapolis child sexual abuse lawyer to handle the legal matters gives you more time to spend with your child. Your attorney fights for justice for your child while you focus on helping them heal from their experience.
Contact our Minnesota Sexual Abuse Law Firm For Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced Sexual Abuse lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Edina.
We proudly serve Hennepin County, Stearns County, and its surrounding areas:
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis Office
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(800) 292-1979
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – St. Cloud Office
1010 W St Germain St # 320
St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-1000
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Edina Office
5200 Willson Rd #203
Edina, MN 55424
(952) 697-5560
