sexual assault lawyers Archives

Recognizing the Signs of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Posted on August 5, 2025 by Loni Liss

It is difficult to determine the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse because it is not often reported. Current statistics show that one in four girls and one in six boys are survivors of childhood sexual abuse.[1]

Maryland has defined childhood sexual abuse as an act that involves the sexual molestation or exploitation of a minor, whether physical injuries are sustained or not.

This includes incest, rape, sexual offenses in any degree, and any other sexual conduct that is a crime.[2]

Maryland has expanded the legal options for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. They did so by passing the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023, which gives survivors the right to file lawsuits related to the abuse, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.[3]

When Children ‘Act Out’ or ‘Act In’: Understanding Behavioral Changes After Abuse

It can be challenging for survivors to come forward, and difficult for parents or guardians to recognize the signs of sexual abuse in girls and boys. Some children may begin to “act out” after their sexual abuse. This may include behavior problems, such as running away or cruelty towards others.

Some children may begin to “act in” after their sexual abuse. This may include becoming depressed and withdrawing from friends and family.

Some children may show signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including agitated behavior, nightmares, and repetitive play. PTSD from sexual assault is very common in survivors.

Some children may also lose developmental skills and show regressive behavior. This can include bed-wetting and thumb-sucking.[4]

Without proper intervention, long-term symptoms may persist in adulthood. It is crucial for parents and guardians to offer non-judgmental support.

Breaking the Silence: Helping Children Heal After Sexual Abuse

The first step in offering a supportive healing process after childhood sexual abuse is to believe a survivor when they disclose that something happened to them. Not everyone processes trauma in the same way.

Some survivors may be calm when they disclose what happened to them, while some survivors may be highly emotional. Neither response is an indication of the severity of sexual abuse or how sexual abuse affected the survivor.

It is important for parents and guardians to support the survivor and not attempt to interpret the survivor’s emotional response when they disclose.

Saying things such as “I believe you” or “It took a lot of courage to tell me about this”[5] can show a survivor of childhood sexual assault that you are there to assist in their healing journey.

The Power of Reassurance: Supporting Survivors Through Their Journey

Another important step is to assure the survivor that the sexual abuse was not their fault. Many survivors report feeling a surreal feeling after the sexual abuse. This can cause a survivor to feel separate or isolated from their peers.[6]

This isolation can cause a survivor to blame themselves, or fear that they may be in trouble if the sexual abuse is uncovered.

Parents and guardians can assure a survivor that they are not at fault by reminding the survivor that they did not do anything to deserve what happened to them.[7]

This may have to be reiterated multiple times, as the healing process is not linear.

Additionally, it is key to remind the survivor that they are not alone. This can be done by being there for them and reminding them that you are willing to listen to their story.

It is also helpful to introduce resources and service providers who may be able to help a survivor on a professional level.

This can include doctors, therapists, or social workers who are trained to assist survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Parents and guardians can also acknowledge that the experience has affected the life of the survivor. This communicates empathy and shows that you care about the survivor.

Supporting Survivors: Steps to Help Heal After Sexual Abuse

Lastly, it is important to remember that there is no timeline for healing. While going through the healing process, remember to avoid judgment.

Eliminate phrases or statements that might make the survivor feel as if they are behind on their healing journey, such as “you have been acting like this for a while” or “how much longer will you feel this way?”[8]

Parents and guardians can check in with the survivor periodically to remind them that they are not alone. Remember to know your resources. The healing journey is not one that is meant to be taken alone.

The Yost Legal Group: A Safe Place for Survivors Seeking Justice

At The Yost Legal Group, we know that coming forward about childhood sexual abuse is one of the bravest steps a survivor can take.

Our sexual abuse attorneys are dedicated to providing a safe, supportive space for survivors of institutional childhood sexual abuse across Maryland.

We listen with compassion, and we fight fiercely for justice on your behalf—holding abusers and the institutions that enabled them accountable.

Childhood sexual abuse can happen anywhere children should feel safe and protected. In Maryland, we have seen cases arise in a wide range of institutions, including:

– Public and Private Schools: Abuse can occur in classrooms, locker rooms, or during extracurricular activities, often perpetrated by teachers, coaches, or staff.

– After-School Programs and Youth Organizations: Trusted mentors or volunteers may take advantage of their positions to harm children in clubs, camps, or sports leagues.

– Religious Schools and Programs: Faith-based settings, such as churches, synagogues, religious schools, or youth groups, can be manipulated by abusers who use authority and trust to silence victims.

– Doctors’ Offices and Hospitals: Medical professionals are in positions of trust and authority, and unfortunately, some have exploited this to abuse children during exams or treatments.

– Foster Care and Group Homes: Vulnerable children in foster care or group homes may be targeted by caregivers or older children in the system.

– Other Community Institutions: Libraries, community centers, and even online educational platforms can be settings where abuse occurs.

Would You Like a Free and Confidential Consultation to Seek Justice?

If you or someone you love is a victim of sexual abuse in any of these settings, please know you are not alone. The Yost Legal Group is helping sexual assault victims understand their rights. And guide you through every step of the legal process.

We offer free, confidential consultations, and you can reach us anytime at (800)-YOST-LAW, (800)-967-8529, or by text at 1-410-659-6800.

We will file a sexual abuse claim against the institution that allowed the sexual trauma. Contact our sexual abuse lawyers for guidance.

Your voice matters. You deserve justice, and we are committed to helping you find it.

Let us be your advocates—together, we can hold abusers and negligent institutions accountable and help you move forward with strength and support.

Clergy Sexual Abuse – Sexual Assault Lawyers – Child Abuse Lawyer

Childhood sexual abuse Lawyer – Sexual Abuse Lawsuit – Statutory Rape

[1] Whealin, J., & Barnett, E. (2018, August 20). Va.gov: Veterans Affairs. Child Sexual Abuse. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/type/sexual_abuse_child.asp

[2] Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 3-602 (West)

[3] Maryland Child Victims Act: Removing time limitations. Maryland Child Victims Act: Removing Time Limitations. (2025, June 22). https://www.peoples-law.org/maryland-child-victims-act-removing-time-limitations

[4] Whealin, J., & Barnett, E. (2018, August 20). Va.gov: Veterans Affairs. Child Sexual Abuse. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/type/sexual_abuse_child.asp

[5] Tips for Talking with Survivors of Sexual Assault. RAINN. (n.d.). https://rainn.org/articles/tips-talking-survivors-sexual-assault

[6] Common Victim Behaviors of Survivors of Sexual Abuse. Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect. (n.d.). https://pcar.org/blog/common-victim-behaviors-survivors-sexual-abuse

[7] Tips for Talking with Survivors of Sexual Assault. RAINN. (n.d.). https://rainn.org/articles/tips-talking-survivors-sexual-assault

[8] Tips for Talking with Survivors of Sexual Assault. RAINN. (n.d.). https://rainn.org/articles/tips-talking-survivors-sexual-assault

Women’s Prison Closes After Widespread Staff Sexual Abuse

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Loni Liss

The US Bureau of Prisons (BoP) has faced criticism for the terrible conditions women experience while in jail. The agency recently announced the permanent closure of a California women’s prison following widespread reports of staff sexual abuse.

This facility became the center of a scandal. Guards abused their power to commit sexual violence against women in prison. These women should have been protected while serving their sentences.

Shockingly, this is part of a broader crisis within the BoP. Federal prisons nationwide are facing intensifying scrutiny for rampant sexual abuse, suicides, preventable deaths, and severe medical neglect.

If you or someone you know is sexually assaulted, please reach out for help. You can also contact us if someone dies from a preventable death in prison. Call The Yost Legal Group at 1-800-967-8529. You can speak with an experienced sexual abuse lawyer for free.

FCI Dublin Scandal Results in Prison Closure and Accountability

Instead of providing a safe and rehabilitative environment, these institutions have become places of unchecked trauma and systemic failure.

The closure of this prison and the suspension of operations at six additional facilities highlight an urgent need for accountability and sweeping reforms.

Vulnerable individuals deserve protection—not exploitation—while in custody. We must demand systemic changes to end this abuse and neglect within the US prison system.

Speak up and get help from our law firm and prisoner advocacy groups that work to stop abuse in prisons.

“Rape Club” Prison Finally Shuts Down After Widespread Misconduct

The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin, a low-security prison east of Oakland, is closing for good. This decision comes after serious misconduct by its staff.

Internally referred to as the “rape club,” FCI Dublin became infamous for systematic sexual abuse perpetrated by correctional officers against incarcerated women.

To date, seven former officers, including the former warden, have been criminally convicted of various sexual offenses. Additionally, over 20 staff members have been placed on administrative leave, facing ongoing investigations for their actions. Staff sexual abuse is rampant in prisons throughout the country, and there must be reforms to fix this serious problem.

The facility closed after it was temporarily shut down in April. A US judge appointed a special master to manage operations because of ongoing scandals. Hundreds of female inmates there have since been relocated to other institutions nationwide.

This closure signals a critical shift in addressing and exposing misconduct within correctional institutions. Still, it is only the beginning of the fight for justice for the survivors of this abuse.

The Truth Behind BoP Facility Closures

The Bureau of Prisons (BoP) has closed several prisons and camps across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Florida. The incarcerated individuals and employees from these locations have been relocated.

According to the BoP, these closures are attributed to staffing shortages, aging infrastructure, and limited budgetary resources.

The BoP also noted problems keeping staff in Dublin. This is due to high living costs and competition from other law enforcement agencies. However, the announcement did not address recent sexual abuse allegations linked to the facility.

FCI Dublin Permanently Closed Following Abuse Convictions

The closure of FCI Dublin is an essential step in tackling abuse in federal prisons. However, this change did not happen quickly.

The scandal first came to light through brave testimonies from survivors who dared to speak out against their abusers despite immense risks.

Their bravery led to investigations that found terrible patterns of assault by prison officials over many years. The allegations of prisoner abuse included coercion, manipulation, and sexual assault by people in power.

These revelations catalyzed public outrage and prompted federal action, leading to today’s outcome.

If you suffered prison sexual assault by a guard, contact one of our assault injury lawyers. As prisoner rights advocates, we will file a lawsuit for your physical injuries, any sexual contact, and pain and suffering.

Protecting Prisoners’ Rights After Sexual Assault in Prison

Across the country, similar cases have been reported. These cases highlight a common problem in the prison system. Power dynamics often work against inmates, especially women.

The culture at FCI Dublin was based on fear and silence. Its closure is a warning for other institutions. It is also an opportunity for them to rethink their practices and protections against abuse.

With judicial supervision, efforts were made to move hundreds of female prisoners to different facilities safely.

Legal Support for Those Impacted by Sexual Violence in Prison

The prison system is intended to be a place for rehabilitation and correction. For many incarcerated individuals, it becomes a site of unimaginable trauma.

One of the worst violations that inmates face is sexual abuse. This abuse often comes from guards and prison staff, who are supposed to care for them.

This violation takes away their dignity and destroys any sense of safety they may have in prison.

These abuses must be exposed, offenders held accountable, and survivors supported through legal avenues. Staff sexual abuse must be eradicated from the person system.

If you or a loved one has suffered staff sexual abuse, you have rights and options available to seek recourse and justice.

Supporting Survivors of Prison Guard Sexual Misconduct

The prevalence of sexual abuse in prisons remains alarmingly high despite various reforms aimed at curbing this heinous crime. The power dynamics inherent in correctional institutions often create an environment where abuse can flourish unchecked.

Guards and staff wield significant authority over inmates’ daily lives—from movement to communication—making it incredibly difficult for victims to report incidents without fear of retaliation or disbelief.

The very people who should ensure security become perpetrators themselves, leaving inmates with no safe haven or trusted advocate within the walls meant to confine them.

An experienced sexual assault lawyer and prisoner advocate group can help.

Fight for Justice After Sexual Assault in Prison—Free Consultation Available

Legal recourse plays a vital role in seeking justice for survivors of sexual assault in prisons.

A successful lawsuit can lead to personal vindication and systemic change.

Legal action brings attention to institutional failures, prompting necessary reforms that benefit current and future inmates alike. If you have been sexually abused in a Baltimore, MD, correctional facility, we will advocate for you.

The Yost Legal Group provides essential help. We offer free consultations and work hard for those treated unfairly by the prison and jail system. Call an inmate advocacy attorney at 1-800-967-8529 for a free consultation.

We will discuss your rights and seek the justice and financial recovery you deserve.

Jail Injury Lawyer – Assault Case – Legal Process – United States

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