National + State-by-State Legal Assistance
Services
Child sexual abuse stands as a deeply unsettling and life-altering offense. Shockingly, statistics reveal that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys undergo sexual abuse in their childhood, yet the overwhelming majority of these victims never witness legal justice unfolding in a courtroom. Among reported cases, fewer than 1 in 5 progress to the stage of prosecution, and even then, only half of those cases result in a conviction or guilty plea.
The pivotal question then arises – how can a lawyer make a difference? Attorneys specializing in child sexual abuse cases play a crucial role in aiding victims through both criminal and civil proceedings. In situations where the prosecutor fails to press charges or faces difficulties in doing so, pursuing a civil complaint may be the avenue through which the deserving justice for the child-victim is attained. Survivors or their advocates, are encouraged to reach out to a lawyer in their respective state to determine if legal representation can be a beneficial recourse for their child.