child sexual abuse attorney Archives -

How Grooming Happens & Ways to Protect Children

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Loni Liss

Grooming involves using persuasion and manipulation. If you’re experiencing the pain of child sexual abuse, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. There are many reasons why these experiences often go unnoticed or unspoken. Please consider reaching out to a trauma-informed therapist who can offer you a safe space to process your feelings and begin your healing journey.

It is important to remember that those who harm children are often individuals familiar with and trusted by them, like healthcare professionals, teachers, school bus drivers, or clergy members.

These individuals may not always resort to physical force. Instead, they might use methods such as play, deception, threats, or other forms of manipulation to involve children and keep them from speaking out.

Our focus should be on creating safer environments and supporting any child who may find themselves in such a difficult situation.

What is Grooming? Key Warning Signs Explained

Grooming is a deliberate and methodical process where an abuser builds trust with a child—and often their family—to facilitate sexual exploitation. It frequently begins with identifying susceptible children who may have certain vulnerabilities, such as low self-esteem, loneliness, or lack of attention at home.

It can include giving gifts or planning special activities to confuse the child. Abusers might also try to make inappropriate touching seem normal or isolate the child from family and friends.

This slowly breaks down any barriers the child might have against inappropriate behavior.

How Grooming Works and How to Recognize It

One of the most insidious aspects of grooming is how normal it can appear to outsiders. Abusers are adept at presenting themselves as caring figures in the child’s life—sometimes even acting as mentors or friends.

They may integrate themselves into community groups such as schools or sports teams where they have easy access to potential victims. By creating an environment that appears supportive and safe, they effectively mask their true intentions not only from their victims but also from those around them.

As grooming progresses, abusers often escalate their tactics in subtle ways that might not initially raise red flags. This could include introducing sexual content in conversations under the guise of education or jokingly testing boundaries with a physical touch that’s framed as accidental or playful.

These actions gradually desensitize a child to inappropriate behavior while simultaneously conditioning them to maintain secrecy about these interactions.

Child Abuse Statistics Every Parent Should Know

Retrospective research shows that 1 out of 6 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005)

Approximately 90% of children are abused by someone known to them, usually someone they know and trust.

Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement (2000)

African American children have almost twice the risk of sexual abuse than white children.

Sedlak. Supplementary Analyses of Race Differences in Child Maltreatment Rates in the NIS–4. (2010)

Only about 38% of child sexual abuse incidents/cases are identified, and even fewer are reported.

London, et al. Disclosure of child sexual abuse: What does the research tell us about the ways that children tell? (2003)

Male adult child sexual abuse victims are 2.6 times more likely to report substance use problems (65% versus 25% in the general population).

Simpson, T.L. & Miller, W.R. (2002)

80% of children who have been sexually abused have some PTSD symptoms (post-traumatic stress disorder).

Shanta R. Dube, et al. Long-Term Consequences of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Gender of Victim. (2005)

It’s Not Your Fault—Support for Survivors

Survivors of child sexual abuse often find themselves feeling isolated and withdrawn from the people around them. It’s important to know that there are allies who understand, believe in your story, and are here to support you on your healing journey.

It’s not uncommon for survivors to feel guilty or blame themselves for what happened. However, you must remember that the abuse was never your fault. Those in positions of authority, such as church leaders, failed to protect you, and holding them accountable is crucial.

Legally, you have rights and options. A child sexual abuse attorney can act as a powerful advocate, offering protection and legal recourse against abusers. If the abuse happened in a place like a school, church, or detention center, it’s essential to share your story.

A sexual assault lawyer works closely with sexual assault survivors, providing gentle care and support. If you experienced abuse under the age of 18 in an institution or government facility, we can help you seek justice.

You’re Not Alone—The Yost Legal Group Can Help

The Yost Legal Group is committed to helping you seek justice. Our child sexual abuse lawyers in Baltimore, Maryland, are here to help you file a lawsuit. The Child Victims Act of 2023 protects survivors. It allows them to come forward no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.

Were you raped in a juvenile jail in the state of Maryland? Did you suffer child sexual abuse in a school or camp program? Were you molested in an institution or hospital? We can help you file a civil case.

Remember, you deserve to be heard, to receive justice, and to secure financial compensation. Contact The Yost Legal Group at 800-967-8529 for compassionate and confidential legal assistance. We’re here to listen and stand with you when you’re ready to talk.

PA May Change Child Sexual Abuse Law

Posted on September 1, 2024 by Loni Liss

More Than 20 States Have Recently Reformed Their Statute of Limitation for Child Sexual Abuse

Pennsylvania law allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits against their abusers up to the age of 55.

Their law is similar to the law that existed in Maryland for years until Governor Wes Moore signed Maryland’s Child Victims Act of 2023 in April of that same year.

Maryland’s new law removed the statute of limitations (SOL) for all childhood sexual abuse survivors. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is looking to sign a similar bill into law for his state despite pushback and stalling in the Pennsylvania Senate.

What defines child sexual abuse?

Child sexual abuse is a serious issue that must be clearly understood and addressed. It’s important to tell the difference between cases with minors and those with adults. Cases with an adult and a child under the age of 15 are child sexual abuse.

PA Laws on Child Sexual Abuse

The statute of limitations on sexual abuse in PA is no one can legally have sex with anyone under the age of 15. Any sexual act, including sexual abuse in school, sexual abuse by teachers, or a sexual act by a school employee, is 100% illegal.

Statutory rape, which is being molested as a minor, can sadly affect the survivor’s mental health for years to come.

A legal option is to file a criminal and/or civil claim to recover financial compensation.

Clear Definition: Child sexual abuse occurs when an adult engages in sexual activities with a minor.
Age of Consent: A minor is defined as anyone below the legal age of consent in their state. They cannot legally consent to sexual activities with an adult.
Adult Responsibility: The responsibility to prevent these interactions lies entirely with the adult.

Recognizing these fundamentals helps in identifying and preventing child sexual abuse, ensuring the protection of children, and upholding their rights.

In Pennsylvania, the age of consent is 16 years old. However, teens above the age of consent but below the age of 18 still cannot consent to sexual relations with an adult when there is an imbalance of power.

Statutory Sexual Assault occurs when there is a significant age difference between partners and one is below the age of consent. It’s considered a felony if:

One partner is 13, and the other is 17 or older
One partner is 14, and the other is 18 or older
One partner is 15, and the other is 19 or older

What is Institutional Sexual Assault in PA?

In Pennsylvania, certain relationships have power imbalances that make consent impossible, no matter the age of those involved. It’s a felony called institutional sexual assault when someone in a position of authority, like a teacher or coach, engages in sexual activity with someone at a school, jail, group home, or any other licensed facility for youth.

For example, a 17-year-old cannot consent to sexual relations with their doctor, employer, or teacher. Coaches, jailers, and religious advisors also fall under this “power imbalance” designation.

Pennsylvania refers to those kinds of situations as “institutional sexual assault.”

What Are Different Types of Child Sexual Abuse?

“Sexual abuse” is an umbrella term, but there are two main types that a specific act of sexual abuse could be categorized as physical and non-physical.

Physical forms of child sexual abuse include touching a minor’s genitals, having a child touch someone else’s genitals, penetration of an orifice, or even just kissing.

The physical forms of sexual abuse are straightforward because they are readily apparent. They can be observed and communicated.

Non-physical forms of child sexual abuse include showing pornographic material to a minor, exposing someone’s genitals to a minor, forcing a minor to expose their genitals, or taking explicit photos of a minor.

The non-physical forms of child sexual abuse can be more difficult to explain when survivors are ready to report their experience. Another term for some of this non-physical child sexual abuse is “grooming.”

Predators can groom a child by exposing them to sexual content, material, and situations without actively touching them. It is emotional and mental abuse and manipulation that is meant to familiarize the child with explicit content in hopes of taking advantage of them later on.

But let there be no mistake about it: Grooming a minor is a form of non-physical child sexual abuse. It is illegal.

If you or a loved one was sexually abused as a minor in the state of Pennsylvania, you have until the age of 55 to file a civil lawsuit against your abuser. However, there is hope that the state’s lawmakers can pass their version of a “Child Victim’s Act” to remove the statute of limitations for childhood survivors of sexual assault.

Call or text The Yost Legal Group today if you have any questions or concerns: 410-659-6800.

Facts About Childhood Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse is a severe and pervasive problem worldwide. In the U.S., according to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), child protective agencies receive a verified report or evidence of such abuse every nine minutes.

Annually, more than 65,000 children fall victim to sexual abuse. This number represents individual children, not just reports or incidents. It’s a truly staggering figure.

Even more distressing is that many of these children experience multiple instances of abuse over a year.

Approximately 25% of adult women report being survivors of child sexual abuse. While the figure for men is lower at about 7.5%, this still equates to one in thirteen men, highlighting a significant and troubling issue.

Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Survivors

Experiencing childhood sexual abuse is classified as an adverse childhood experience (ACE). Such traumatic events can have enduring effects on both the mental and physical health of survivors.

Research published in 2021 by Frontiers in Neuroscience highlights that survivors are at a higher risk of engaging in behaviors like drug use and self-harm. The study also notes that survivors face an increased likelihood of contracting sexually transmitted infections during their lifetime.

Furthermore, information from HIV.org emphasizes the importance of immediate intervention within the first 72 hours following a sexual assault to prevent HIV.

Girls who survive childhood sexual abuse also face the added risk of unwanted pregnancies, posing further complications to their well-being.

Common adverse side effects to surviving childhood sexual abuse:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Depression
Suicidal ideation
Eating disorders
Substance abuse

If you or a loved one is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse in the state of Pennsylvania, you have until the age of 55 to seek legal justice against your abuser and the institution that harbored them. Contact the compassionate lawyers at The Yost Legal Group today for a free consultation.

Will a “Child Victim’s Act” pass in Pennsylvania?

As mentioned, in Pennsylvania, survivors of childhood sexual abuse have until the age of 55 to file a civil suit against their abuser. That is the statute of limitation. Once a survivor turns 56, their statute has expired. There is no legal action a survivor can take from there.

Some people think giving survivors time up to the age of 55 is more than enough. However, the data does not back up that opinion because of a phenomenon called “delayed disclosure.”

In a 2020 paper titled “Delayed Disclosure,” Child USA, a national think tank for child protection, found that “the average age at the time of reporting child sex abuse is about 52 years.”

Fifty-two years might be lower than Pennsylvania’s statute, but fifty-two years was the average. With the average at fifty-two years, there are thousands of people every year who report for the first time who are older than 52 and even older than 55.

They should not lose their right to seek justice on the technicality of a few years. They are the survivors of a heinous crime and deserve their chance at justice when they feel they are prepared for it.

Child USA’s findings remained consistent in their 2024 “Delayed Disclosure” factsheet.

51% of survivors first disclosed their abuse between the ages of 50 and 69, much higher than the second-place age group of ages 30 to 49, which accounted for 17% of disclosures.

Pennsylvania’s Fight for Justice: Extending Abuse Survivor Protections

It is incumbent upon the politicians of Pennsylvania to pass whatever law is necessary to give survivors the appropriate time to come forward. A statute of limitations cutoff at 55 simply is not sufficient given everything we know about the psychology and trauma of surviving childhood sexual abuse.

Some members of Pennsylvania’s legislature are pushing for change. However, others are steadfast in their stance on not changing the statute.

Governor Shapiro had some choice words for those who wish to hinder progress:

“I think it’s shameful, and I’ve said this many times, that the Senate of Pennsylvania has failed to act, has been unwilling to look these survivors in the eye and pass a statute of limitations window to allow those who’ve been abused to confront their abusers in a court of law.”

The Yost Legal Group’s child sexual abuse lawyers are closely monitoring Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations window. If a new law is created, childhood sexual assault survivors will be able to seek justice at any time. Our sexual abuse attorneys will take cases to help them fight against their abusers.

Were you sexually abused as a minor in Pennsylvania? the compassionate sexual abuse survivor lawyers at The Yost Legal Group are here to help, listen, and provide guidance. Call or text today at 410-659-6800.

Cheltenham Youth Detention Center Child Sexual Abuse Claims

Posted on July 7, 2024July 7, 2024 by Loni Liss

Cheltenham, previously called Boys Village of Maryland, ignored years of child sexual abuse claims against staff and guards.

We are still talking about the bad conditions in Maryland‘s juvenile detention centers. Today, we are looking at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center. Many people have made claims of rape and sexual abuse for years, but authorities did not take them seriously.

Teenagers will make mistakes sometimes. It is normal for them to mess up. Sometimes, they might even make serious mistakes that qualify as actual crimes, leading to forced detention.

Youth detention centers are meant to help young people change for the better and make amends for their actions.

Young people who end up in juvenile detention have often experienced trauma. It is important to give them a chance to learn from their mistakes and grow. This will help them overcome their past experiences and move forward positively. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network notes:

Children who are abused or experience violence are at a higher risk of engaging in criminal behavior. They are also more likely to experience mental health issues and substance abuse problems.

Additionally, these children may be more prone to attempting suicide. Youth who witness family or community violence are also more like.”

Seek Justice for Child Sexual Abuse Survivors

Many minors in Maryland youth detention centers have experienced abuse, assault, and trauma.

Were you or a loved one raped or sexually abused as a minor at Cheltenham Youth Detention Center or any other Maryland juvenile jail?

The Child Victims Act allows you to file a child sexual abuse lawsuit against the facility no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.

Even if you were abused 50 years ago, you may file a claim. Call or text our Maryland sexual abuse lawyers today for a free consultation. Our compassionate childhood sexual abuse survivor lawyers will get started on your case immediately.

Exposing the Abuse in Maryland’s Youth Detention Centers

Minors in youth detention centers are vulnerable. They are away from home in an unfamiliar and unwelcoming environment. They are often scared and lonely. All this happens on top of already potentially suffering from traumatic experiences that led to the offending crime.

Abusers in Maryland’s youth detention centers, like the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center, use their positions of power as doctors, nurses, and guards to take advantage of scared, traumatized, vulnerable minors.

It was despicable behavior these predators engaged in. What is worse is that the people in charge often did nothing, as reports of abuse were levied against staff members. At worst, facilities like Cheltenham Youth Center engaged in cover-up missions.

In this way, Maryland’s juvenile detention center network behaved like the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Catholic Church.

They ignored the allegations until they could no longer do so, and only then did they move an offender to another post, sweeping the actual issues under the proverbial rug.

Predators in Power Exploiting Minors in Maryland’s Detention Centers

Just as we are holding the Catholic Church accountable thanks to the Child Victims Act, it is now time to take the state of Maryland and its abusive juvenile and youth detention centers to task.

To do that, we must file cases against detention centers such as Cheltenham. Decades of unchecked sexual abuse will no longer be ignored.

We must hold the youth detention centers and the state of Maryland accountable for their inaction while abusers and predators ran rampant. Many guards have sexually abused children in Baltimore juvie detention centers.

If you or a loved one was sexually abused while at Cheltenham Youth Detention Center, let us help you fill a sexual abuse case to seek financial compensation.

You have a safe place to come to share your sexual abuse claim in Maryland. Call or text us today at 410-659-6800 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case. Our experienced sexual abuse attorneys will work with you with compassion and respect.

The Hidden Horrors of Cheltenham Youth Detention Center

Like the Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School, which we reported on recently, the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center opened in the second half of the 1800s and has undergone several name changes over its 150-year history.

Located in Prince George’s County, Cheltenham’s current name was founded in 2016. However, from 1949 to 1992, the youth detention center was known as the Boys’ Village of Maryland.

And as with Hickey, decades and name changes could not erase its sordid history.

In 2004, the United States Justice Department released a report on its 20-month investigation into Hickey and Cheltenham. The findings were as sickening as they were illuminating.

Over the report’s 51 pages, the U.S. Justice Department detailed several unprofessional, unethical, and illegal practices and procedures conducted by the Cheltenham staff.

For the purposes of this litigation, we will highlight “Article III: Findings, Section A: Protection from Harm, Clause 5: Other Abusive Practices, a.: Inappropriate Staff-Youth Relationships.”

“Our investigation revealed incidents of misconduct at both facilities in which female staff were found to have engaged in inappropriate relationships with male youth residents as young as 14 years old. For example, in June 2003 … the staff member admitted.”

These were not “relationships.” Adults with positions of power at a juvenile detention center raped and sexually abused minors—some as young as 14 years old.

Abuse Allegations Ignored How Maryland Failed Its Vulnerable Youth

Minors and prisoners cannot give consent. The vulnerable youth at Cheltenham and other juvenile detention centers were both.

This particular passage only outlines a few instances of sexual abuse at Cheltenham. However, there are dozens of public lawsuits filed by former youth inmates of Cheltenham alone.

We at The Yost Legal Group are already representing dozens of Maryland youth detention center childhood sexual abuse survivors, some of whom spent time at Cheltenham. Unfortunately, we expect to receive inquiries from many more people.

Please remember that you are not alone. We are here to listen. We are here to help.

Contact our Baltimore sexual abuse lawyers today for guidance. We will listen to what happened and file a claim for child sexual abuse.

If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse at a Baltimore juvenile detention center, call for a free, confidential consultation.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse can come forward confidentially to seek justice.

If the Baltimore Department of Juvenile Services failed to protect you as a minor, we can file a sex abuse case on your behalf. Now, because of the Child Victims Act of 2023, you can file a lawsuit.

The experienced child sexual abuse survivor attorneys at The Yost Legal Group are ready to fight to get the justice you deserve. Call or text us at 410-659-6800 for a free consultation.

Child Sexual Abuse Claims Maryland – Maryland Juvenile Sex Claims – Juvenile Jails Sexual Abuse

The Voice of a Survivor of Church Sexual Abuse in Baltimore

Posted on January 19, 2024April 5, 2024 by Loni Liss

Rebecca was a sweet 14-year-old little girl in the 8th grade when she was violently raped and sexually assaulted. The sexual abuse and rape happened while she was in school at St Peter Clavers Catholic School in Baltimore. They told her that the church sexual abuse was her fault.

Life has been very challenging for our client. She had to fight internal demons her entire life just to get from one day to the next. She didn’t realize until recently that the abuse she sustained as a young girl was not her fault.

Sadly, Rebecca carried the trauma of her childhood sexual abuse throughout her life, like many other survivors. Now, 50 years later, she has hired The Yost Legal Group to file a claim on her behalf against the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Rebecca is standing up and speaking out by writing poems about the abuse. She is extremely shy but has found her voice through her writings. Here is a poem Rebecca wanted to share.

The Catholic Church allowed the sexual abuse of thousands of children.

Rebecca’s Poem, A Survivor’s POINT OF VIEW

It was such an honor serving next to God’s right-hand man.

They taught us all we know about being a devoted Catholic.

We served as altar boys. We did folk masses and then the long-awaited confirmation.

But through it all, you taught us something else.

You said we should be honored to be selected.

At first, you touched us. You knew what to do and where to touch.

You said we know you were doing the right thing because it feels good.

We were confused. What is this you are doing? How could this be right?

But you kept coming. You kept touching and exploring.

We complained. We don’t want to do this. But you insisted that we should be honored.

God chose us. We are special. But you can’t tell anyone.

Then you wanted us to touch you. This can’t be right.

But you know best. You’re an adult. You are next to God.

What do we know? We are just kids. You are here to take care of us, right?

Then it happens. We are violated in the ultimate way.

It hurts so bad. We beg you to stop. We cry to no avail.

Then it’s over. You tell us this is our little secret.

Little do we know you’ll be back for more and more.

Why do we feel so dirty and bad? We can’t stand to look at ourselves.

We can’t concentrate. How can we face our parents? If they knew, they would disown us.

This secret is killing us, but we can’t tell. We are wrong. We are bad.

We wish we could just disappear. We’re not fit to be in this world.

Life sucks.

Now we are older. The abuse has stopped, but the pain lingers on.

We haven’t told anyone. He got away with it.

He ruined our lives. We suffered unnecessarily, and for what, your pleasure?

We trusted you. We put our lives in your hands.

You hurt us in more ways than one, and you’re not even sorry.

You teach us to atone for our sins, to confess to God.

When will you? What penance will you do for your sins? 10 Hail Mary’s?

You were wrong. You owe us compensation and restitution for our pain and suffering.

You also owe us your solemn oath that this will not happen again.

All of you let this happen, but no more.

If the Catholic Church is for real, then they will take steps to ensure our safety and not cover up wrongdoing.

As for us, pray for us that we will heal. In fact, now that the secret is out, that is the beginning of healing.

We know now. We are not dirty. We are not bad.

We were victims but are now survivors and productive members of society.

We are united. You can no longer hurt us, and we are determined that you will not hurt anyone else.

We are strong, and we are one.

—- By Rebecca W.

Let The Yost Legal Group File a child sexual abuse claim on your behalf.

The church enabled the child sexual abuse of thousands of children over the last 75 years. At The Yost Legal Group, our church sexual abuse lawyers are fighting back for all survivors to seek justice and financial compensation.

Rebecca, along with many other men and women, has hired The Yost Legal Group to file a claim against the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Our sexual assault lawyers will fight back against the injustice of the church molestation.

It is time to come forward and tell your story. Because of the bankruptcy, time is running out for you to file a claim. If you were molested at church, our caring and compassionate child sexual abuse lawyers can help you.

By telling your story, you can help prevent other children from suffering abuse.

If you were sexually abused at church, in school, or at an after-school program connected to the Archdiocese of Baltimore, call us at 1-800-967-8529.

We are here to listen to your story and fight for the justice you deserve.

Free Legal Consultation to Discuss Church Sexual Abuse Claims.

It will NOT cost you anything to discuss your case. We do not charge anything upfront. In fact, you do not need to pay us anything until after we settle your case. And if there is no settlement, there are no fees or expenses due.

The Yost Legal Group is honored to represent Rebecca and all survivors of child sexual abuse by the church.

School District Pays $3.9 Million in Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Posted on July 27, 2023July 27, 2023 by Loni Liss

Lawsuit Won for Failing to Stop Abusive Paraeducator

The Tahoma School District recently paid a sexual abuse survivor $3.9 million to resolve a child sexual abuse lawsuit. The School District negligently continued to employ Bryan Neyers, a former para-teacher, after receiving allegations that he was sexually abusing and grooming students.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a student in January 2022 in King County Superior Court. The sexual abuse lawsuit alleges that the student was sexually abused when he was between 5 and 7 years old by a paraeducator. The molestation took place in Tahoma Elementary School’s Early Enrichment Program.

The alleged sexual abuse occurred between 2018 and 2020. The man faces child rape and molestation charges involving three young boys and first-degree rape charges involving a fourth child.

Neyers began working at Tahoma Elementary School in 2015. Within a year, the Maple Valley school district started receiving reports about Neyers’s concerning behavior, such as a lack of boundaries with students.

School officials did not meet with Neyers to address his behavior until June 2018. Even with that meeting, they still failed to take proper actions to address the issue, according to court documents.

If you or a loved one is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse in a school or other educational setting, you may have a case under Maryland’s new law. If you are ready to talk, we are here to listen. Call The Yost Legal Group for a free and confidential consultation at 1-800-967-8529.

Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse: Understanding the Grooming Process

When it comes to sexual abuse, understanding the grooming process is crucial. In certain cases, grooming can be an independent intentional tort requiring a child sexual abuse attorney to prove damages.

Grooming serves as a warning sign, providing organizations and caregivers an opportunity to intervene and prevent the abuse from happening. Grooming often comes before the act of physical abuse. The grooming process usually has three stages:

Isolating: Most children know the importance of not accepting rides from unfamiliar adults. However, when the adults are a coach, teacher, sponsor, or other such person, a child might hesitate to refuse.

The adult may tell children they have special abilities and would benefit from one-on-one coaching or tutoring. Many children do not say no. Furthermore, many organizations allow such behavior, and caregivers do not see the red flag.

Gaining Trust: Over time, the one-on-one sessions can become more intimate. This intimacy is usually two-way. Groomers share secrets with children or, at least, makeup secrets to further gain trust. The transition could take a few weeks or a few years.

Frequently, the groomer also buys gifts for the targeted child. Inappropriate comments or activities usually begin at this point as well.

Concealing and Controlling the Relationship: One of the gifts might include a phone or other communication device. Inappropriate comments and activities escalate, usually accompanied by a “Don’t tell anyone about this.” Examples of these activities include photographing a child in a dance costume or playing with a child and “accidentally” touching the child’s genitals.

Fight back against child sexual assault with The Yost Legal Group

The most significant standalone grooming case to date might be 2011’s United States vs. Chambers (No. 09-3654). A jury convicted the defendant of violating the federal enticement statute.

Chambers argued that, although he chatted with an undercover agent for several months, he did not intend to meet “the girl,” nor did he take a substantial step toward meeting her.

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed, noting that “child sexual abuse can be accomplished by several means and is often carried out through a period of grooming.”

The court recognized that grooming refers to deliberate actions taken by a defendant to expose a child to sexual material. The defendant’s ultimate goal is to form an emotional connection with the child and reduce the child’s inhibitions to prepare the child for sexual activity.

The burden of proof in criminal court is beyond any reasonable doubt. The burden of proof in civil court is much lower. In that sense, even just a little evidence of grooming goes a long way.

What are the kinds of sexual abuse?

Grooming a child is just one form of sexual abuse. It is also worth noting that “abuse” is different from “assault.” Only some forms of sexual abuse involve physical contact.

These kinds of abuse include:

Verbal: Crude jokes might be the most common form of verbal sexual abuse. Many of these abuse survivors do not speak up.

Usually, because they are afraid of the social or relational consequences of speaking up. One or two isolated incidents might not be actionable. But a pattern of conduct is a tort.

Ritualistic: We move from perhaps the most common form of sexual abuse to maybe the most uncommon form. Nevertheless, ritualistic abuse happens, and it hurts. Making matters worse, many survivors are brainwashed to accept things like incest rituals, genital mutilation, child marriage, and chants during abuse.
Visual: Unwanted exposure to explicit images is sexual abuse. Children cannot simply change the channel. Instead, they must bear the harmful consequences of uninvited exposure to sexually explicit photos, sexting or airdropping, and exhibitionism or flashing.
Physical: Examples of physical sexual abuse include non-consensual cornering, tickling, kissing, excessive cleaning of genitals, touching, fondling, physical restraint, enemas, invasion of privacy, and stalking. Disproportionate power relationships (teacher and student) influence the potential for physical sexual abuse.

The impact of child sexual abuse causes long-lasting mental and physical injuries such as Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The cumulative effects of this type of stressful situation on child sexual abuse survivors can alter brain chemistry.

The resulting imbalance causes symptoms like anger, depression, and hypervigilance. Any form of child sex abuse or sexual violence against a child is unacceptable. These acts on young athletes by sports coaches, or sexual contact by a YMCA employee all must be brought to justice.

Is an organization responsible if the abuse happened at their location?

Individuals are criminally responsible when they sexually abuse children. But criminal cases usually do not compensate victims. To obtain the compensation victims need and deserve, an experienced sexual assault lawyer typically uses the negligent supervision theory.

Organizations negligently supervise employees when they do not adequately investigate misconduct allegations or do not properly follow through on such allegations.

Unfortunately, many organizations do not take abuse allegations seriously, especially in non-violent sexual abuse cases. Instead, they sweep things under the rug. The Baltimore Catholic Church ignored such allegations for decades. That is the main reason Maryland lawmakers abolished the statute of limitations in these matters.

Sadly, organizations like the YMCA, the Boy Scouts, and Foster Care are all breeding grounds for pedophiles. These investigations must be transparent, efficient, and thorough. Then, when investigations end, organizations must take appropriate action based solely on the facts uncovered.

Contact a compassionate child sexual abuse lawyer

Under Maryland’s new law, childhood sexual abuse survivors are entitled to significant compensation. If you or a loved one was sexually abused by a teacher, guidance counselor, or other school faculty or staff, you may have a case.

For a free and confidential consultation with a compassionate childhood sexual abuse lawyer, call The Yost Legal Group today: 1-800-967-8529. You can also click this link to fill out a form online, and someone will contact you shortly.

Looking for signs of child sexual abuse is one indicator. If you think the Department of Education isn’t taking your complaint about harm to your child seriously, contact us. If your child was abused by a coach, we are here to help.

We should take sexual abuse in public schools vs. the catholic church very seriously. We must hold these organizations accountable.

Athlete Sexual Abuse Lawyer – Foster Care Sexual Abuse Lawyer – School Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Teacher Sexual Abuse Lawyer – Therapist Sexual Abuse Lawyer – Boy Scouts Sexual Abuse Lawyer

YMCA Sexual Abuse Lawyer – Athletic Trainer Sexual Abuse Lawyer

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