How to Proceed if You Suspect Your Child Is Being Sexually Abused

The Arizona Department of Child Safety states that “sexual abuse occurs when sex acts are performed with children. Using children in pornography, prostitution or other types of sexual activity is also sexual abuse.” Sexual assault also includes rape or attempted rape, penetration of the child’s body, forcing sexual acts such as oral sex, indecent exposure, and sexual touching or fondling.

Some people are required to report any suspicion of sexual abuse to a Peace officer or to Department of Child Safety in the Department of Economic Security. According to the Arizona Department of Child Safety, these people include:

• “Any physician, physician’s assistant, optometrist, dentist, osteopath, chiropractor, podiatrist, behavioral health professional, nurse, psychologist, counselor or social worker who develops the reasonable belief in the course of treating a patient.
• Any peace officer, member of the clergy, priest or Christian Science practitioner.
• The parent, stepparent or guardian of the minor.
• School personnel or domestic violence victim advocates who develop the reasonable belief in the course of their employment.
• Any other person who has responsibility for the care or treatment of the minor.”

These listed people are mandated reporters, and are therefore immune from civil or criminal liability for making the disclosure unless they are suspected or charged with the abuse in question. Generally, calls and reports will not result in the removal of a child taken from your home – unless you are the person suspected of the abuse.

Support networks for sexual abuse survivors and allies

According to  RAINN; The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, an American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds. RAINN provides a sexual assault hotline which is free. The support:

• Is confidential
• Helps the caller find a local healthy facility that is trained to handle sexual assaults and offers forensic exams to verify sexual assault
• Aims to help the caller talk through the assault
• Provides information about local laws
• Provides other helpful resources

Darkness to Light, an organization that helps empower adults to report sexual assault, recommends that adult who suspects a child is being sexually abused by a counselor, teacher, clergy member, or any authority figure prepare a report for local law enforcement authorities. Reports should be considered if a parent witnesses any violations, a child tells the parent he/she is being abused, the parent sees signs of sexual abuse, or the parent intervenes without results.

The report should include the following information:

• The name and age of the child being abused and where the child can be located
• The parents’ contact information
• The nature of the suspected abuse
• The reason for the report such as signs of abuse or a pattern of abuse
• Other children that may be affected
• The name of the abuser, if known
• If the child is “imminent danger”
• The name, phone number, and address of the reporter
• The time of the last abuse if known
• Whether the abuser knows of the report

The report is only the basis for an investigation. Formal proof of the abuse is not required.

Filing legal claims against the responsible party

Parents, on behalf of their children, and adult children can always file a claim against the perpetrator.

Claims can also be filed against the following organizations if they failed to follow state laws or were negligent in the hiring or monitoring of their staff and employees:

• Schools
• Religious organizations
• Employers
• Property owners

Hospitals, apartment owners, hotels, and other entities may also be liable.

Sexual abuse and sexual assault injuries

Victims of sexual abuse offer never heal emotionally. Some may suffer serious physical injuries as well. Sexual assault and abuse injuries can include:

• Physical trauma
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Sexual difficulties
• Anger
• Depression
• Anxiety
• The inability to work
• The inability to have social relationships
• Eating and sleeping problems
• Thoughts of suicide

It requires a great deal of experience to represent victims of sexual abuse and sexual assault. At Plattner Verderame, P.C., we understand how scary and sensitive these cases are. Our Phoenix sexual assault attorneys have been strong advocates for injury victims since 1991. For strong representation, please call us today at 602-266-2002 or complete our contact form. Let us help you help the people you love.