Foster Care Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Fighting For Foster Care Sexual Abuse Survivors

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, LLP. we have 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.

Call Zalkin Law Firm, LLP. today at (800) 477-2989 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our foster care sexual abuse attorney.

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

Common Forms of 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.

The common forms of sexual abuse in foster care include:

• Inappropriate Touching or Fondling: This involves any non-consensual, intentional contact with a child's body for sexual purposes. It can include touching private parts, either over or under clothing, and forcing the child to touch the perpetrator.
• Exposure to Sexual Content: This includes showing children pornography or involving them in the creation of sexual images or videos. Exposing children to sexually explicit material is a form of sexual abuse that can have long-lasting psychological effects.
• Sexual Exploitation: Children may be coerced or manipulated into performing sexual acts in exchange for money, goods, or other benefits. This can also involve trafficking, where children are moved from one place to another for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
• Verbal Sexual Harassment: This involves making sexual comments, jokes, or propositions to a child. It can also include threats or pressure to engage in sexual activities, creating a hostile and intimidating environment.
• Rape or Attempted Rape: This is the most severe form of sexual abuse involving forced or coerced sexual intercourse or attempted intercourse. It includes any form of penetration, regardless of how slight, without the child's consent.
• Forcing a Child to Engage in Sexual Activities with Others: Sometimes, children may be forced to engage in sexual activities with other children or adults. This can be part of a broader pattern of exploitation and abuse within or outside the foster care environment.
• Involvement in Prostitution or Sex Trafficking: Some children in foster care may be coerced into prostitution or sex trafficking. This form of abuse often involves organized criminal activities and severe manipulation and control over the victims.

Whether the 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 that 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

What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Foster Care Sexual Abuse Claim?

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 that 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.

How Our Foster Care Sexual Abuse Attorney Can Help You

Pursuing a foster care sexual abuse case can be a daunting and emotional process. With deep experience in cases involving abuse and institutional negligence, we provide comprehensive, compassionate representation that addresses each aspect of your case.

Our approach includes:

• Conducting thorough investigations: We gather all relevant documents, records, and witness testimonies to uncover evidence of abuse and identify responsible parties.
• Building a strong case: We work to establish liability through detailed case preparation, addressing any oversight, negligence, or misconduct by foster care agencies and individuals involved.
• Protecting survivor privacy: We prioritize the privacy and safety of survivors, using confidentiality protections whenever possible to shield them from undue exposure or distress.
• Pursuing maximum compensation: We seek comprehensive compensation to cover the full scope of your losses, which includes medical expenses, therapy costs, and pain and suffering, to support your path toward healing.
• Guidance and support throughout the legal process: From the initial consultation to the final settlement or court ruling, we stand by your side, providing regular updates, transparent communication, and support every step of the way.

We understand that many survivors of foster care sexual abuse struggle with the idea of reliving painful memories. We are dedicated to creating a safe, empathetic environment for you to share your experiences at your own pace. In the courtroom, we work tirelessly to expose the truth of what occurred and ensure justice is served.

Contact Our Foster Care Sexual Abuse Attorney Today

The Zalkin Law Firm, LLP. has dedicated much of our practice to representing survivors of 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 with our foster care sexual abuse lawyer.