Child sexual abuse in a juvenile detention facility is a serious problem. Youths who are in a juvenile detention facility are entitled to protection from all forms of abuse, including sexual abuse. Many facilities fail to act in keeping youths safe from abusive staff members while in the facility.
If your child was a victim of sexual abuse while in a juvenile facility, it is vital to contact a lawyer to hold the abuser accountable. It is also important to hold the facility accountable for allowing staff to abuse children.
Signs of Child Sexual Abuse in a Juvenile Facility
There are many signs that your child is the victim of child sexual abuse while under the care of a juvenile detention facility. This can include:
- Withdrawing from activities
- Not communicating the abuse to loved ones
- Unexplained bruises or other lacerations
- Serious changes in mood
- Unwillingness to interact with facility staff
It is important to know and identify the signs of child sexual abuse. Keeping your child safe should be the top priority of juvenile detention center staff, but the opposite is often the case. Many youths find themselves in unsafe situations at these facilities.
Child sexual abuse at a juvenile detention facility can also include acts of sexual abuse perpetrated by other youth at the facility. It is the responsibility of the facility staff to keep your child safe from acts of sexual abuse perpetrated by other youths. Failure to monitor thoroughly can leave your child vulnerable to sexual abuse from another youth.
Child Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations
It is important to know the Statute of Limitations (or SOL) in cases of child sexual abuse. Recent changes to laws in the state of Oklahoma have made the SOL of child sexual abuse cases limited to victims 45 years of age or younger for both criminal and and civil cases. This means that victims of child sexual abuse in a juvenile facility may now make a claim against their abusers, even if the abuse was committed some time ago during the victim’s childhood.
If you or your child was a victim of child sexual abuse in a juvenile detention facility, act now to prevent the SOL from voiding your case. Many victims of child sexual abuse do not voice their abuse until much later, which is why it is important more than ever to hold facilities and facility staff members accountable for their acts of abuse.
When To Call A Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If you or your child has been a victim of child sexual abuse in a juvenile facility, contact Jeff Martin Law immediately. Our Oklahoma child sexual abuse attorneys are here to give a caring, compassionate legal consultation.
Our Oklahoma lawyers are prepared with years of experience in getting victims the compensation they deserve. Financial compensation can help to pay for therapies for you or your child to help heal the damaging effects of child sexual abuse. Contact Jeff Martin Law now for a free legal consultation. We represent people in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and all across the state of Oklahoma.
