Foster Home Abuse
Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse in the Foster Care System
Minors in the American foster care system experience high rates of emotional, physical and sexual abuse. A study conducted by John Hopkins University found that the rate of child sexual abuse in the foster care system is more than four times as high as in the general population. In group foster homes, the rate of sexual abuse is more than 28 times that of the general population. Whether abuse is committed by foster care parents or by other children, victims have the right to pursue legal actions against their offenders and the system or home that failed to prevent the abuse.
Foster homes are often difficult living situations for any child. Numerous studies have reported that children in the foster care system face a number of negative psychological effects. The presence of sexual abuse only serves to compound these negative experiences and can result in serious and long-term emotional trauma.
Identifying Signs of Foster Care Abuse
The prevalence of abuse and mistreatment among foster care children in California and across the country is an increasing problem that has not gone unnoticed. Unfortunately, it is also a problem that continues to occur despite recognition of the issue. A major issue which has aggravated the problem of foster home abuse is the inability of many individuals to correctly identify the warning signs and symptoms of such mistreatment, thus allowing the child to remain in what could be an abusive home.
The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) houses information on the precise signs and symptoms that can be searched for when looking to establish whether or not mistreatment of the child is occurring in a California foster home. Among the warning signs that studies have concluded to be prominent indications of abuse (physical, sexual, and neglect) include:
- A child who has experienced multiple placements, especially in a short amount of time
- A child who is a permanent ward rather than a temporary member of the system
- A child who is awaiting adoption by his or her foster family, and the process has been delayed in some way
- A child who was placed in foster care because of mistreatment from his or her birth parents
- A child with special needs or handicapped conditions
- Any adolescent, especially adolescents who have been abused in the past
If you suspect that a foster child is being sexually or physically abused, or even neglected, in his or her home, then do not wait to involve a professional from our law firm. Backed by years of practice and unrivaled experience, our California sexual abuse attorney can help you determine if your suspicions are correct, and then help you take legal action to protect and support the victimized child.
Protect Your Rights with Proven Lawyers
The Senators Firm is fortunate to field a team of attorneys who possess some of the strongest legal minds in the industry. Through the application of our decades of collective experience and extensive legal backgrounds, our California sexual abuse attorneys have allowed our firm to accumulate numerous professional awards and accomplishments, including membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, a recognition that is achieved by less than 1% of all U.S. lawyers.
Our firm's legacy of success speaks volumes about our abilities as lawyers. It is our genuine desire to protect the rights of abuse victims, however, that truly sets our firm apart from the rest. If you would like to learn more about filing a claim with the assistance of compassionate and proven attorneys, contact The Senators Firm today.