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Child Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a severely traumatic experience that can leave long-lasting emotional and psychological effects on survivors and their families. According to the Crimes Against Children Research Center, around 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys in the U.S. experience sexual abuse during childhood. Children between the ages of 7 and 13 are the most vulnerable.

While healing is an ongoing process, understanding the dynamics of abuse and available protections under U.S. law can help survivors and their families feel more empowered. This page provides an overview of what child sexual abuse involves, how it can be identified, and the broader context in which it occurs.

What Is Child Sexual Abuse?

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), child sexual abuse is defined as the involvement of a minor—anyone under 18—in sexual activity that:

  • Violates legal or social norms
  • Occurs without the child's full understanding or consent
  • Involves someone significantly older or in a position of power

Child Sexual Abuse can involve physical contact, such as molestation or rape, or non-contact offenses, such as exposure to pornography or online exploitation. Research shows nearly 90% of perpetrators are known and trusted by the child. Abusers often use threats, manipulation, or coercion to control their victims.

The abuse can take many forms, often occurring within institutional settings such as schools, religious organizations, or care facilities. Recognizing the form of abuse is important, as emotional recovery and legal procedures can vary.

The Dynamics and Complexity of Child Sexual Abuse

Most perpetrators are individuals whom children trust—caregivers, authority figures, or protectors. This dynamic often makes it difficult for children to recognize abuse or speak out. Survivors frequently experience lasting feelings of shame, guilt, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. The abuse can impact their ability to form trusting relationships later in life.

Abuse often takes place in environments where it is concealed—intentionally or otherwise—by the very institutions meant to protect children. Schools, religious institutions, foster care systems, juvenile detention centers, and even youth sports organizations have, in many documented cases, failed to report or address abuse. In some instances, institutions have actively suppressed allegations to protect their reputation, allowing the abuse to continue unchecked.

This institutional silence and failure to act not only delays justice but can also deepen the trauma experienced by survivors. When those in power dismiss, minimize, or cover up abuse, it reinforces a sense of isolation and betrayal for victims. These dynamics highlight the urgent need for accountability, trauma-informed responses, and protective systems that prioritize the safety and well-being of children above institutional interests.

OnderLaw

We fight for justice when you can't fight alone.

Finding an experienced legal team that earns your trust is essential. Our attorneys are not only experienced litigators—they are advocates trained to support survivors with empathy and integrity. We understand the sensitive nature of sexual abuse cases and offer trauma-informed representation every step of the way. With decades of experience and a team of expert sexual abuse attorneys, we have the resources and resolve to take on powerful institutions and win. Whether you’re ready to file a lawsuit or are just exploring your options, we are here to listen and help.

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Child Sexual Abuse Laws in the US

Child sexual abuse cases are primarily governed by state laws rather than federal law, unless the abuse occurs on federal property such as military bases or Indian reservations.

Each state sets its own rules, including statutes of limitations, which define deadlines for filing lawsuits. In Missouri, for example, the statute of limitations for Child Sexual Abuse claims is typically extended until the victim reaches the age of majority. This extension acknowledges that many survivors may need years to come to terms with their abuse before feeling ready to pursue legal action. Many states are taking steps to expand the legal statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases, including the establishment of lookback windows.

Awareness of these legal timelines is crucial for survivors or families considering legal action and is a key area where a legal expert can help.

Rights of Survivors

Survivors of child sexual abuse have important rights designed to support their pursuit of justice and healing. One of these rights is the ability to seek civil remedies, which often means filing lawsuits against the abuser or the institutions that may have allowed or ignored the abuse. These legal actions can hold those responsible accountable for the harm caused.

Throughout the legal process, laws aim to protect the dignity and privacy of survivors. This means that survivors should be treated with respect and fairness during every step, and their personal information should be safeguarded to prevent further trauma or exposure.

In many cases, survivors may be eligible to receive compensation to help cover the financial costs associated with the abuse. This can include medical treatment, counseling or therapy expenses, lost income due to the impact of the abuse, and damages for pain and suffering endured.

Beyond individual cases, knowing their rights empowers survivors to make informed decisions. It builds the confidence needed to pursue justice and, in some cases, to participate in efforts that help improve laws and policies to better protect children in the future.

Why Take Action?

When you decide to take a stand, it matters—not only for you, but for others. Taking action doesn’t have to look one way. It can be legal, it can be personal, or it can be both. Below are reasons many survivors find meaning, power, and hope in coming forward.

  • For Healing & Acknowledgment
  • To Hold Perpetrators & Institutions Accountable
  • To Seek Justice & Compensation
  • To Prevent Harm to Others
  • Because There’s No Shame in Seeking Justice
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Filing a Claim for Child Sexual Abuse

Filing a legal case for child sexual abuse is an essential step toward seeking justice and is part of the healing process, though it can be complex and emotionally challenging. Across the United States, survivors and their families must navigate varying state laws, including statutes of limitations that vary greatly from state to state. These deadlines set the time frame within which a claim must be filed. Many states provide extensions for minors, allowing claims to be filed after the victim reaches adulthood.

The claim process generally involves gathering evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and any documentation that supports the abuse allegations. Properly preserving this evidence is vital to establishing the case.

Filing a child sexual abuse claim can lead to compensation for damages, including medical & counseling expenses, lost wages, and emotional pain. More importantly, it holds abusers and institutions accountable and works to prevent future abuse. This process allows survivors of child sexual abuse to reclaim their voice and dignity within the legal system.

Though the path to justice may be difficult, survivors of child sexual abuse are not alone. Access to resources and information helps empower families to navigate the legal system confidently and pursue healing and accountability.

Kayla's Survivors - A Different Kind of Law Firm

At Kayla’s Survivors, we stand with survivors—those who have endured sexual abuse, assault, misconduct, or institutional neglect. As a survivor-led, woman-led law firm, we have first-hand experience that grounds our firm and puts survivors’ healing at the center of our work. From guaranteeing confidentiality and an empathetic approach, to our specialized expertise and fierce advocacy, we promise to put your needs first. As nationally-recognized sexual abuse attorneys, our purpose is to help you reclaim your voice, pursue justice, and hold both perpetrators and institutions accountable for the harm caused by sexual violence.

Our founder, Kayla Onder, is herself a survivor of sexual violence. Her personal journey from silence to strength guides the heart of this firm. Because she has walked this path, she understands both the pain and the courage it takes to come forward. What began as her personal commitment to stand with survivors has grown into a national practice dedicated to compassion, justice, and institutional change.

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Who Can File an Abuse Lawsuit?

Survivors of sexual abuse have the right to pursue justice through a civil lawsuit, even if the abuse occurred many years ago or during childhood. In institutional abuse cases, accountability goes beyond the individual perpetrator. It also extends to the organization that allowed the abuse to happen—whether through negligence, lack of oversight, or deliberate cover-up. Click here to learn more.

How Can We Help You?

Finding the right attorney is easier than you think! Just click the link below, answer a few simple questions about your situation, and we’ll match you to an experienced attorney who can help. There’s no obligation, and you won’t pay a penny unless we win your case.

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