As parents, one of our worst fears is our child becoming the victim of a crime, especially a heinous act like sexual assault. While we do everything in our power to protect our children, the unfortunate reality is that sexual abuse of minors occurs far too often even in a city like Atlanta. If your child has been sexually assaulted, it is crucial to know what steps to take to safeguard their wellbeing and legal rights.
At Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, we have guided numerous families through this difficult time with compassion, sensitivity, and zealous legal advocacy. In this blog post, we will walk you through what happens when a minor is sexually assaulted and how our experienced attorneys can help your family seek justice.
The Impact of Sexual Assault on Minors
Sexual assault leaves minors grappling with more than just the immediate trauma of the event. The repercussions often include a range of emotional and psychological issues. Many children experience depression, anxiety, and difficulty trusting others. Behavioral changes, such as withdrawal from loved ones, academic struggles, or anger outbursts, are also common.
Physical consequences may include injuries, sexually transmitted infections, or in rare cases, unwanted pregnancies. These challenges underscore the importance of securing proper medical care immediately after the assault even if no visible injuries are present.
The social impact is another layer to consider. Minors may face stigma or isolation from their peers, even when they are victims through no fault of their own. In many cases, these challenges emphasize the need for strong community support and professional counseling services.
Reporting the Assault
The first and most important step is reporting the sexual assault to law enforcement. In Georgia, certain professionals like teachers, counselors, and doctors are mandated reporters, meaning they are legally required to report suspected child abuse. However, we strongly encourage parents to report assaults directly to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted.
When you make a report, both the police and the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) will likely initiate investigations. This can be a scary and overwhelming prospect, but these investigations are necessary to protect your child and hold the abuser accountable. Our attorneys can communicate with law enforcement and DFCS on your behalf to ensure your child’s rights are protected throughout the process.
Medical Attention and Evidence Collection
Getting your child proper medical care is paramount. In Atlanta, hospitals like Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Grady Memorial Hospital have dedicated units for treating victims of abuse that provide trauma-informed care. In addition to addressing any immediate injuries, medical professionals can conduct a forensic exam to collect valuable evidence like DNA.
This exam, while important, can be invasive and traumatizing especially for children. As your child’s advocate, our role is to ensure the exam is conducted properly and as comfortable as possible for your child. We can also preserve evidence from the exam that may be crucial in both criminal and civil cases against the perpetrator.
Emotional Support and Counseling
The impact of sexual assault goes far beyond physical injuries. Victims, especially children, can experience severe emotional and psychological trauma. As we have mentioned earlier, common effects include depression, anxiety, PTSD, difficulty trusting others, and problems in school. Getting your child set up with counseling and support services as soon as possible is critical for their healing.
There are numerous resources available in the Atlanta area, such as the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy and the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN). Our firm can connect you with reputable therapists who specialize in working with child victims of sexual abuse. We believe securing your child’s wellbeing is the highest priority.
The Criminal Justice Process
If the abuser is caught, they will likely face serious criminal charges. In Georgia, the severity of the charges depends on factors like the age of the victim, the relationship to the abuser, and the nature of the assault. Most of these crimes carry lengthy prison sentences especially when the victim is a minor.
The criminal case will be handled by the District Attorney’s office. Your child may need to testify, which can be a difficult experience. Our sexual assault attorneys will work closely with prosecutors to prepare your child if needed and advocate for their rights and interests throughout the entire criminal proceeding. We are committed to holding abusers fully accountable under the law.
Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Assault
In addition to criminal charges, your family may also have grounds for a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator and any other parties whose negligence contributed to the assault. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof than criminal ones. Through a lawsuit, your family can seek monetary damages for the harm your child suffered and will continue to suffer.
Damages can cover things like medical bills, therapy expenses, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. If the abuse occurred due to negligence by a school, church, daycare, or other organization, they can potentially be held liable as well. As your dedicated legal team, we will identify all possible avenues for obtaining justice and financial recovery for your child.
How Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys Can Help
No child or family should have to face the aftermath of sexual assault alone. At Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, we are passionate about fighting for young victims and have a track record of success in holding predators and enablers accountable.
When you work with our firm, we will handle all the legal aspects and hard work so you can focus on helping your child heal. You will have a team of skilled, caring advocates in your corner every step of the way. While no amount of money can erase your child’s trauma, we will work tirelessly to obtain the justice and compensation your family deserves.If your child has been the victim of sexual assault in the Atlanta area, do not hesitate to contact us for a free, confidential consultation. Call our office today at (404) 529-3476 and let us fight for you.