Pacific Palisades Molestation Victim Attorney

Molestation is a horrendous crime whose victims are often young and vulnerable. If you have been a victim of molestation in California, you have likely struggled with various hardships as a result of this traumatic life event.

While no one can change the past, you should know you may be able to recover financial compensation for your struggles by taking your abuser to court. This is also an option for parents or guardians of children who have been molested. Review your case with a Pacific Palisades molestation victim attorney at Okabe & Haushalter to learn more about your legal options.

Pacific Palisades Molestation Cases: The Long-Term Impacts on Survivors

Again, molestation victims are often children. Child molestation is a more prevalent issue than many realize. Data from the National Center for Victims of Crime indicates that one out of every five girls and one out of every 20 boys under 18 years of age in the United States is a victim of some form of sexual abuse. Various studies have determined approximately 60,000 children across the country are sexually abused every year.

Unfortunately, while the experience of being molested is certainly traumatic when it is occurring, even after it’s over, a child may still face long-term challenges as a result of this horrific mistreatment. These challenges can include (but are not necessarily limited to):

• A high likelihood of performance and/or behavior issues at school
• Reversion to such behaviors as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, etc.
• Greater-than-average odds of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other such mental health issues
• Difficulty forging and maintaining adult relationships later in life

Additionally, a child who is a molestation victim will have a relatively high chance of being victimized again in the future when compared to children who have not been sexually abused.

Filing a Molestation Claim in California: What You Need to Know

No amount of money can fully erase the pain that a child endures if they’ve been victimized in this way. That said, it’s worth noting that survivors of molestation in California often have the right to seek compensation by filing lawsuits against their abusers. When a victim is a young child, their parents or guardians may file a lawsuit on their behalf.

If you are considering taking legal action because you were molested as a child or your child has been molested, strongly consider enlisting the help of a Pacific Palisades molestation victims’ law firm when doing so. Experienced professionals with an understanding of the legal nuances these cases involve can play a critical role in the outcome of your lawsuit.

Consider the fact that molestation is a general term that can refer to such crimes as:

• Statutory rape
• Oral copulation with a minor
• Sending sexually explicit content to a minor
• Contacting a minor with the intention of committing a sex crime

That’s not an exhaustive list. The statute of limitations for child molestation in Pacific Palisades, California varies depending on the specific crime that was committed. A lawyer can help you file your claim by the relevant deadline to prevent you from accidentally waiving your right to compensation.

A Pacific Palisades molestation victim attorney can also help by:

• Gathering evidence to prove molestation occurred
• Accounting for all compensable losses/damages to determine how much compensation a victim may be owed
• Allowing a victim to focus on their needs while a professional handle their case

Contact a Pacific Palisades Molestation Victim Attorney

It is imperative that those who commit molestation be held accountable for their crimes. If you believe you have grounds to file a lawsuit or claim, our Pacific Palisades molestation victim attorneys at Okabe & Haushalter are prepared to help you ensure justice is served. Contact us online or call us at 310-430-7799 for more information.