Albuquerque Sexual Assault Victim Lawyer

The impacts of child sexual abuse and assault can be felt by the victim for years. These effects can often be felt into adulthood and result in mental health issues, behavioral issues, and problems with personal relationships. It is vital, in these cases, that justice be served to the fullest extent of the law and that the liable parties be held to account for their despicable actions.

If your child has suffered harm due to the negligent, reckless, or even intentional wrongdoing of the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) or a local church, King Law Firm is here to hold that organization accountable for the injury or pain your loved one has suffered. At King Law Firm, we know how to pursue compensation and justice for your child and are passionate about holding negligent churches and schools accountable for the role they played in the abuse or molestation.

Don’t let these organizations continue to slip past liability; they must be help accountable. Contact King Law Firm today to seek justice for your child.

Signs of Child Sexual Abuse or Molestation

Child sexual abuse or molestation is not always evident to their parents. In some cases, an abuse and the negligent organization behind the abuse, if there is one, can go to great lengths to conceal the harm your child has suffered. That is why it is vital you remain vigilant if your child begins to show any of the following signs of abuse, assault, or molestation:

• Depression or anxiety
• A lack of self-esteem
• Onset of certain phobias
• Increased hostility or aggression
• Unexplained injuries or bruises in areas that would hint at sexual abuse
• Poor hygiene
• Avoiding certain situations that may trigger reminders of the abuse, such as attending school or church

Liability in Child Sexual Abuse Claims

In a child sexual abuse or molestation case, there are several parties you may be able to hold liable for the heinous acts your child has suffered. These parties can include:

• The Criminal Offender: The most obviously liable party is the actual offender or individual who has committed the crime themselves. Even if they are not found guilty in a criminal court, you may still be able to hold this individual liable in a civil court, as the civil courts have a lower burden of proof required than in criminal cases. However, it is important to remember that liability for this crime, in a civil case, can extend beyond the actual perpetrator.
• Negligent Third Parties: There are several negligent third parties that can be held liable for a child sexual abuse or molestation case in civil court. These parties might include a school or church organization that should have taken reasonable care to ensure the harm did not occur or who knew about the harm and abuse that was taking place and did nothing to stop it or keep it from happening. Daycares can also be held liable for child sexual abuse or molestation.
• Property Owners: Another possible party to hold liable in a child abuse or molestation case includes the owners of the property on which the abuse took place. This can especially be true in cases where the abuse took place on properties that allow the general public to visit their facility, such as a sports complex, library, or recreational facility. These places have a duty to provide a reasonable standard of safety and security to all those who enter the property.

Proving a Civil Claim of Child Sexual Abuse or Molestation

It can be difficult to prove liability in a child sexual abuse or molestation case. In order to do so, you and your attorney will need to be able to demonstrate the existence of the following elements and their presence in your child’s sexual abuse or molestation case:

• Duty of Care: The liable party owed you and your child a reasonable standard or duty of care. In an example where a church is involved, that church owed you and your child a duty of care to ensure your child was safe and not in danger of any sexual predators while taking part in church activities or functions, such as acting as an altar boy or taking part in youth group activities.
• Breach of Duty: You will then need to demonstrate that that reasonable standard or duty of care was breached by the church due to negligence or even with knowing intent. This might include showing that the church did not have enough surveillance or security measures in place or did not have the proper procedures in place to ensure that children were left unharmed.

Additionally, in cases of knowing intent, your lawyer may be able to demonstrate that the church organization had full knowledge of the abuse taking place and did nothing to keep it from continuing.

• You will then need to prove that this failure to keep the child safe or keep the harm from continuing led directly to the abuse or molestation your child suffered.
• Finally, you and your attorney will need to show how you and/or your child suffered certain damages as a result of this breach of duty and care. These damages might include emotional pain and suffering, loss of the enjoyment of life, and any medical expenses that might have occurred as a direct result of the abuse or molestation, including therapy costs.

It is time to hold the liable parties accountable for their actions if your child has suffered sexual abuse, assault, or molestation – especially in cases where there has been a negligent organization involved. You can count on King Law Firm to help you at every stage of filing a civil claim against these parties, from the initial evidence collection to filing the claim paperwork to arguing your case before a judge and jury should the claim proceed to a trial.

We are here to fight for you and your family and ensure the liable parties are held accountable so that justice may be served.

Get the Legal Help of an Albuquerque Child Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawyer

If your child has been abused, assaulted, or molested, it is time to hold the liable party or parties accountable for their actions. When it comes to filing a civil claim against a negligent church or school, such as Albuquerque Public Schools, the team at King Law Firm is here to help. We understand the emotional difficulties of these cases and hope to come alongside you and your family to ensure the negligent parties are held to account for their actions. Contact our offices today to schedule your initial consultation.