Foster Care Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Child Sexual Abuse in the Foster Care System

While foster care can provide a safe home for children who have dealt with abuse, trauma, or losses that have left them without family, the unfortunate reality is that these children often face further suffering in a system that all too often fails to keep them safe.

With more than 420,000 children in U.S. foster care, according to AFCARS, an unstable program that notoriously lacks transparency is ill-equipped to handle allegations of abuse – even though programs, social workers, and officials have an obligation to reasonably address and report claims.

At The Zalkin Law Firm, we has extensive experience representing survivors of child sexual abuse in civil lawsuits across the country – including claims involving sexual abuse against children in foster care and group homes. If you or your loved one have a potential case, our foster care sexual abuse lawyers are here to help.

Why Choose The Zalkin Law Firm?

• Nationally recognized leaders in civil sexual abuse litigation
• Decades of collective experience fighting for victims and families
• Lead roles in major sex abuse litigation resulting in multi-million global settlements
• Millions recovered for survivors nationwide in multi- and single-victim cases

Call our firm today at (800) 477-2989 or contact us online to request a free and confidential case review with a foster care sexual abuse lawyer.

Sexual Abuse in Foster Care

Foster care systems have legal obligations to reasonably handle sexual abuse allegations. Unfortunately, foster programs often fail to protect placed children from sexual abuse by foster parents and other predators or abusers.

Whether abuse is committed by a member of a child’s foster family, a program worker, or some other party, there may be options for survivors to bring civil lawsuits against not only wrongdoers, but also the program or system which failed to protect them.

Examples of claims related to foster care sexual abuse:

• Lack of training, negligent hiring of social workers
• Negligent or overworked social workers
• Lack of supervision / improper monitoring
• Inadequate screening policies
• Ignored complaints or signs of abuse
• Concealed or falsified reports

Your Right to Take Legal Action

Victims of sexual assault, molestation, rape, and other forms of sexual abuse may have the right to bring civil claims against wrongdoers and/or the foster care systems which failed to take adequate steps in preventing abuse and protecting children.

As civil lawsuits, sex abuse claims offer survivors an opportunity to share their stories, ensure at-fault parties are held accountable, and prevent abuse from happening to others. Additionally, these claims are designed to award victims monetary damages for the economic and non-economic losses they have incurred, which may include compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional injuries
• Psychological anguish
• Medical or mental health services
• Future medical or mental health treatment
• Other damages arising from abuse

Our legal team represents minor victims and parents in litigation against abusers and institutional defendants, as well as adult survivors who pursue claims over sexual abuse which occurred when they were children. New legislation like California AB 218 and the NY Child Victims Act have allowed numerous adults to bring civil sex abuse claims which were previously barred by statutes of limitations.

How Common Is Sexual Abuse in Foster Care?

When a child is placed in foster care, they often leave behind a difficult and traumatic past. Unfortunately, some children enter a new set of troubling circumstances when they are placed with a foster family. Sexual abuse in foster care is a devastating reality for many children.

The statistics surrounding this issue are alarming:

• Children in foster care are four times more likely to be sexually abused than their peers
• Children in group homes are 28 times more likely to be sexually abused than their peers
• Almost one-third of foster children in one study were abused by a foster parent or other adult in the home

The consequences of this abuse can be long-lasting and devastating for the child. The foster care system must take action to prevent these heinous acts from occurring and provide adequate support and care for those who have already experienced them.

Who Is Liable for Foster Care Sexual Abuse?

Foster care is supposed to provide a safe haven for children who need it the most. However, foster care abuse is a reality that can't be ignored. In cases where a child has suffered sexual abuse while in foster care, it's natural to question who is responsible.

The answer to this question can vary depending on a few factors.

Generally, the foster care agency is responsible for ensuring the safety of the child, making it liable for any abuse that may be inflicted on the child in its care. However, determining liability can sometimes be complicated, as there may be multiple parties involved. Ultimately, it's essential to hold all parties responsible for any abuse and ensure that they face the appropriate legal consequences.

The Zalkin Law Firm: Proven & Passionate Advocates

The Zalkin Law Firm has dedicated much of our practice to representing survivors in sexual abuse claims. We know the immense courage it takes to step forward, and do everything within our power to provide clients with the support and experienced representation they need to take on what are often powerful adversaries who refuse to accept responsibility.

If you would like to learn more about your rights and how our lawyers can help you pursue a foster care sexual abuse claim, call (800) 477-2989 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.