Outdoor camps, youth programs, and summer camps can be excellent opportunities for children to enjoy nature and make lasting friendships. However, when hidden predators lurk among the adults meant to watch over your children commit heinous acts, it can leave children physically, mentally, and emotionally scarred.
While they should face criminal charges for these atrocious and malicious actions, you may still be able to hold them to account financially for the damage they have inflicted.
When you are ready to seek justice for your child, connect with a Lansing summer camp sexual abuse lawyer with White Law PLLC. Our law firm has recovered over $1 billion in compensation for more than 30,000 clients.
Whether you have recently come of age or are advocating for your child, with your Lansing sexual abuse lawyer on your side, you can feel confident and empowered to demand compensation for the suffering you have endured.
The Signs of Summer Camp Sexual Abuse May Be Veiled
Children are often changing and evolving into the people they will become, but there are some behaviors you should be aware of that can indicate that they have experienced a traumatic event.
If your child returns from a sleepaway or summer camp and is acting noticeably unlike they were previously behaving before the camp, you may suspect something has occurred. Some behaviors that could indicate that they may have suffered sexual abuse include:
- Fear and anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Withdrawing from activities they previously enjoyed
- Nightmares or night terrors
- Feelings of guilt or shame
- Feelings of unease around older teens or young adults
- Sudden changes in mood or attitudes
- Avoiding social interactions
It is of critical importance that you do not demand explanations from your children for why their behavior may have suddenly changed. Victims of sexual abuse may often feel pressured to reveal their trauma before they understand that they are not to blame for the abuse they have endured. Seeking help from a Lansing personal injury lawyer with White Law PLLC for your child is a natural response, but asserting pressure for them to share what they have suffered can lead to even further withdrawal from their families and friends.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
What to Do if You Suspect Your Child Is Being Abused at Summer Camp
Speaking with your child about the abuse they may be suffering or have suffered can be an extremely delicate matter. They should feel comfortable and safe, or they could feel overly pressured, or they may feel like the abuse they suffered was a result of their own actions. According to RAINN.org, recognizing the signs and speaking with the child on their terms should be your first steps to determining if they have experienced sexual abuse at summer camp.
Along with behavioral changes, there may also be physical signs that your child is being or has been abused at summer camp. Suspicious bruises around their arms, legs, or genital areas, along with significant changes in their behavior, may indicate sexual abuse.
Consulting with a professional abuse therapist yourself before speaking with your child can also be helpful in developing a plan of how to approach the topic.
Ultimately, you will need to report the abuse to the appropriate authorities if you suspect your child has been sexually abused at camp. Retaining a highly experienced and compassionate summer camp sexual abuse attorney in Lansing, MI, for the support you and your child need can help you feel empowered in pursuing justice against the perpetrators of the abuse. Your Lansing catastrophic injury attorney with White Law PLLC has extensive experience in supporting victims of sexual abuse in Lansing and throughout Michigan.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Lansing Summer Camp Sexual Abuse FAQ
Children who have suffered sexual abuse at summer camp need to feel supported, and you may have many questions about how best to proceed.
Ensuring your child feels protected and not judged for the abuse they have experienced is vital to their mental and emotional health. Here are some of the most common questions our clients have had when seeking compensation from their abusers.
Who Will Be Named in Your Summer Camp Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Multiple parties could be liable for the abuse your child has endured beyond the individual or camp counselor who committed the acts themselves. The company or group that employs the alleged offender or that produced or sponsored the camp may also be liable. Even the town, city, or state that organized or arranged the camp could be held responsible if they did not complete their due diligence in screening counselors and employees.
Will My Abuser Face Criminal Charges?
Depending on the details of the abuse and the specific circumstances of the incident, the abuser could face significant criminal charges. Under the Michigan Legislature’s MCL §750.520b, criminal sexual conduct against a child is a felony, and the alleged perpetrator could face life in prison. Consulting with your dedicated and understanding Lansing summer camp sexual abuse attorney and explaining the circumstances of your child’s abuse can help inform you if criminal charges will apply in your case.
How Long Will It Be Before the Statute of Limitations Expires?
Many summer camp sexual abuse lawyers in Lansing are working diligently to extend the statute of limitations for survivors of sexual abuse. Currently, under MCL §600.5805, adult sexual abuse survivors have 10 years from the date of the incident to seek damages against the alleged abuser. Certain exceptions can be found under MCL §767.24.
Can I Seek Compensation for My Child’s Pain and Suffering?
After the trauma inflicted on a child by way of sexual abuse, you can absolutely seek compensation for the suffering your child has endured. With the help of a knowledgeable and trial-proven summer camp sexual abuse lawyer in Lansing, you can hold the abuser accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Although no amount of money can undo the damage your child has suffered, you can demand financial support to get your child the mental and emotional help they need to move forward.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Connect with a Trial-Proven Lansing Summer Camp Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If your child has suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a camp counselor, fellow camp attendee, or other camp staff, you should demand they be held accountable for their actions.
White Law PLLC has provided support and guidance for sexual abuse victims and recovered more than $1.3 billion in compensation. We represent our clients on contingency so you will not have to pay anything upfront or until we win your case.
With the assistance of a caring and dedicated Lansing summer camp sexual abuse attorney, you can feel empowered to demand the liable parties compensate your family for the damage they have caused. Connect with our law firm today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to learn about the potential value of your case. Your child deserves to see the justice system work on behalf of victims of sexual abuse.
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We Exceed Client Expectations.
