What to Do if My Child Was Sexually Abused at Summer Camp?

Summer camp is supposed to be an experience full of fun and adventure. This may be one of the first times your child spends this long away from you or close friends and family, and you expect them to come back with stories of their time spent playing games, being outside, and making friends. When that isn’t the story you get, it can be hard to wrap your head around what to do. 

At White Law PLLC, we understand that the revelation that your child has been sexually abused at a summer camp can leave you reeling. Our Michigan summer camp sexual abuse lawyer can work with you and your child to provide recourse and get you on the path to healing. Our team has experience in many kinds of sexual abuse cases and will work diligently to give you a voice and let your story be heard.

When Your Child Discloses Sexual Abuse at Summer Camp

The statistics regarding sexual assault and abuse are staggering. RAINN reports that sexual abuse in children and teens occurs every nine minutes. Of total sexual abuse, only about 30% are reported. 

What this means for parents and caregivers is that if your child has disclosed their abuse to you or someone close to them, you are already doing your job. Many cases will go months, years, or decades before a survivor feels brave enough to speak out. The fact that your child has said something means you have provided them with the safety and confidence to think they will be heard. 

This can be tough to hear as a parent, so you first need to take a breath. Thank your child for being honest and trusting you with this information. Remind them that this is not their fault and reassure them that you are there for them to whatever end. 

First Steps When Your Child Was Sexually Abused at Summer Camp

Your next steps are crucial after you have taken the time to calm yourself and be present with your child. It may be helpful to report this disclosure to the police and likely child protective services. You can begin the reporting process to Michigan CPS online, which may provide additional resources and referrals for your child.

If your child is comfortable, you may choose to have them seen by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. This can generally be done at the hospital emergency room, but a local child advocacy center may be able to provide a more comfortable and age-appropriate level of care. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services provides a list of these by county on their website.

While speaking with your child about what happened, it is important to avoid leading questions. If you and your child agree to submit to a SANE exam, the nurse should be trained to interview your child in a way that gets the most accurate information. The police and CPS investigator should also be trained to allow your child to speak without guiding them to answers they would not otherwise provide.

What to Expect 

Involving police and CPS can be intimidating when you don’t know what to expect. Michigan CPS provides excellent information on what the investigation process may look like, including the fact that you can expect the investigation to begin within 24 hours of the report and end within 30 days. 

You and the other members of your family may also face strong feelings of anger, grief, guilt, or anything else. It may be wise to set up mental health support to help you and your family cope with what happened and help you take care of yourself. Your child has been hurt, but you cannot be there for them if you aren’t taking care of yourself. 

Injuries in Child Sexual Abuse 

The effects of sexual abuse can differ between individuals but will have lasting effects on most. Many of the effects may be emotional, like nightmares, mood swings, anxiety, and depression. However, experiencing sexual abuse may lead to more physical symptoms of sexual abuse that may show up as:

• Having trouble sleeping
• A significant change in appetite
• Urinary problems 
• Stomachaches 
• Substance abuse 
• Self-harm

This is not an exhaustive list, and everyone responds to trauma differently. It is important to listen to your child and know what seems abnormal for them before acting. Some of the injuries from sexual abuse will simply take time and consistency to heal, while others may require regular therapeutic interventions.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer May Help

When you have taken these steps to ensure the safety of your child and the accountability of the abuser, you may choose to call a personal injury attorney. Calling a Lansing summer camp sexual abuse lawyer can support your efforts to recover compensation on behalf of your child. This compensation may be used to ensure your child gets the support they need to recover.

Our sexual abuse lawyer can work with you and your child to determine the physical cost of treatment for your child. This will include any medical bills incurred for doctor’s visits, specialists, therapists, or psychiatrists. Damages for pain and suffering may be determined by the established cost of the injuries and the degree to which the abuse affects your child’s functioning and quality of life. 

While you focus on recovery, a White Law PLLC lawyer will work in the background to handle the administrative and legal paperwork to pursue a lawsuit against the responsible parties. We will handle negotiations with the opposing parties and keep you apprised of any relevant information. This allows you to focus on your child, which is the most important thing.

Call a Lansing Summer Camp Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today

White Law PLLC is a Law Firm that understands this can be a challenging journey for survivors. We know that breaking the silence can be a challenging and liberating experience. We want to encourage you to be heard and get the support and justice you deserve. 

We are available 24/7 to receive inquiries and schedule free case consultations. Our contingency fee payment schedule means you don’t have to pay us until we secure compensation for you. This allows you to focus on your child and family while we handle the rest.