Sex Abuse

Facts: Child, Teen and Adult Victims

Sex abuse remains a serious national problem. Nearly one million children are victims of abuse each year, and about 120,000 were victims of sexual abuse. The vast majority of those cases go unreported. Adults can also be the victims of sex abuse whether by rape of a stranger, relative, teacher, date rape, abusive spouse, or by a counselor, doctor, chiropractor, therapist, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist. On college campuses, rape or date rape has been known to occur at parties, some of which are sponsored by a fraternity or sorority. 

Sex abuse or molestation sometimes is caused by persons in positions of trust: relatives, caregivers, day care workers, teachers, baby-sitters, youth counselors, bus drivers, pastors, priests, ministers, bishops, elders, clergy, preachers, choir directors, or other members of the church. In instances of abuse by those who work for organizations, the organizations can be held liable in certain circumstances. For example, they can be liable if they were aware of the abuse and took no action, failed to conduct a background check, or failed to adequately supervise someone whom they knew had a history of sexual abuse.  In some instances, state officials such as child protective services or foster homes fail to protect children and foster children or report abuse.  There also may be a failure to investigate child abuse. 

Sex abuse—whether child, teen, young adult, or adult victim—is devastating. A victim may be able to take control by exercising their legal rights. In the case of a minor child or minor children, the most important goal is to remove the child from further risk of abuse or molestation. If the victim is being abused by a spouse or partner, he or she may obtain a restraining order against the abuser.

The Law

In appropriate cases, a victim may obtain compensation from abuser or those who allowed the abuser to harm the victim. Victim compensation can be used to obtain counseling to begin to heal the injuries caused by sex abuse. In some states, a victim may also obtain punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from sex abuse. 

If you or your loved one has been subject to sex abuse, rape or molestation, it is important to have a Washington attorney evaluate any claim you or your loved one may have. The law provides strict deadlines for bringing these claims. It is critical that you contact a Washington lawyer if you think that you may have a claim. An attorney at Vangelisti Kocher LLP can provide you a free, confidential consultation to discuss you or your loved one's injuries and legal rights.

Sex Abuse in Nursing Homes

For cases involving personal injury from sex abuse in nursing homes, please click on the Sex Abuse link under Practice Areas on our related site at www.nwnursinghomelaw.com.   This site provides specific information on sex abuse, rape or molestation in nursing homes and information on locating a lawyer or attorney to handle nursing home sex abuse, rape or molestation cases in Washington .

Cities Served:

Aberdeen, Acme, Addy, Adna, Agnew, Ahtanum, Airway Heights, Albion, Alder, Alderwood Manor, Allen, Allyn, Almira, Aloha, Altoona, Amboy, Anacortes, Anatone, Ariel, Arlington, Asotin, Auburn, B Z Corner, Bainbridge Island, Bayview, Beaver, Belfair, Bellevue, Bellingham, Belmont, Benge, Benton City, Bickleton, Bingen, Birch Bay, Blaine, Blyn, Bothell, Bow, Boyds, Bremerton, Brewster, Bridgeport, Brinnon, Brownstown, Buckley, Bucoda, Buena, Burien, Burlington, Burton, Camas, Carhcart, Carlisle, Carlsborg, Carlton, Carnation, Carson, Cashmere, Castle Rock, Cathlamet, Cedonia, Centerville, Central Park, Centralia, Chehalis, Chelan, Cheney, Chesaw, Chewelah, Cinebar, Clallam Bay, Cle Elum, Clearlake, Clearwater, Cliffdell, Clinton, Clipper, Colbert, Colfax, College Place, Colton, Colville, Concrete, Connell, Conway, Copalia Crossing, Cosmopolis, Cougar, Coulee Dam, Coupeville, Crescent Bar, Crystal Mountain, Cunningham, Curlew, Curtis, Cusick, Custer, Dallesport, Danville, Darrington, Davenport, Dayton, Deer Harbor, Deer Park, Deming, Des Moines, Diamond, Disautel, Dishman, Dixie, Dodge, Dollar's Corner, Donald, Doty, Dryden, Du Pont, Duvall, East Wenatchee, Easton, Eastsound, Eatonville, Edison, Edmonds, Edwall, Elbe, Electric City, Elk, Ellensburg, Ellisford, Elma, Eltopis, Enumclaw, Ephrata, Ethel, Everett, Everson, Fall City, Ferndale, Fisher, Ford, Fords Prairie, Forks, Four Lakes, Frances, Freeman, Friday Harbor, Fruitland, Garfield, George, Glacier, Gleed, Glenoma, Glenwood, Gold Bar, Goldendale, Goose Prairie, Graham, Grandview, Granger, Grayland, Greenacres, Greenwater, Grisdale, Hansville, Harper, Harrington, Hay, Holly, Home Valley, Hoodsport, Hoquiam, Hyak, Liwaco, Index, Inglewood, Ione, Irby, Issaquah, Joyce, Kahlotus, Kalama, Kapowsin, Keller, Kelso, Kennewick, Kent, Kettle Falls, Keyport, Kingston, Kiona, Kirkland, Kooskooskie, La Center, La Corner, Lacey, Lacross, Lakebay, Lakeview Park, Lakewood, Lamona, Langley, Latah, Laurier, Leavenworth, Lebam, Leland, Liberty, Lincoln, Lind, Littlerock, Lofall, Long Beach, Longbrach, Longmire, Longview, Loomis, Loon Lake, Lopez, Lowden, Mabana, Mabton, Malaga, Malden, Malo, Malott, Maltby, Manson, Maple Valley, Marblemount, Marcus, Marlin, Marshall, Marysville, Matlock, Mattawa, Mazama, McCleary, McKenna, McMillin, Mead, Medical Lake, Menlo, Mesa, Metaline, Methow, Milan, Miles, Mill Creek, Mineral, Moclips, Mohler, Molson, Monitor, Monroe, Montesano, Morton, Moses Lake, Mossyrock, Mount Vernon, Mountlake Terrance, Mukilteo, Naches, Nahcotta, Naselle, Nespelem, Newhalem, Newport, North Bonneville, North Cove, Northport, Oak Harbor, Ocean City, Ocean Park, Ocean Shores, Okanogan, Olympia, Omak, Onalaska, Opportunity, Orcas, Orchards, Orin, Orondo, Oroville, Orting, Ostrander, othello, Outlook, Ozette, Pacific Beach, Packwood, Palisades, Palmer, Palouse, Park, Parker, Parkland, Pasco, Pateros, Paterson, Peshastin, Pine City, Plain, Plaza, Point Roberts, Pomeroy, Port Angeles, Port Gamble, Port Hadlock, Port Townsend, Porter, Poulsbo, Prairie, Prescott, Preston, Prosser, Pullman, Purdy, Puyallup, Quilcene, Quinault, Quincy, Rainer, Ralston, Randle, Ravensdale, Raymond, Reardan, Redmond, Renton, Republic, Rice, Richland, Ritzville, Robe, Roche Harbor, Rochester, Ronald, Roosevelt, Roseburg, Roy, Royal City, Ruff, Ruston, Ryderwood, St. John, Sawyer, Seabeck, Seattle, Seaview, Sedro Woolley, Selah, Sequim, Shelton, Shoreline, Silvana, Silver Lake, Skamania, Skamokawa, Snohomish, Soap Lake, South Bend, South Cle Elum, South Point, S. Wenatchee, Spanaway, Spangle, Spokane, Sprague, Stanwood, Startup, Stehekin, Steilacoom, Steptoe, Stevenson, Stratford, Sultan, Sumas, Sumner, Sunnyside, Tacoma, Taholah, Tahuya, Tampico, Telma, Tenino, Thorp, Tieton, Tiger, Toppenish, Touchet, Trout Lake, Tumtum, Tumwater, Tyler, Underwood, Union, Usk, Utsalady, Vader, Valley, alleyford, Vancouver, Vantage, Vashon, Vaughn, Waldron, Walla Walla, Wallula, Wapato, Warden, Washougal, Waverly, Wenatchee, Westport, W. Sound, White Salmon, Whites, Wickersham, Wilbur, Wilkeson, Winlock, Winona, Winthrop, Wishram, Winthrow, Yacolt, Yakima, Yale, Yelm, Zillah.

Counties Served in Washington:

Adams County, Asotin County, Benton County, Chelan County, Clark County, Columbia County, Cowlitz County, Douglas County, Ferry County, Franklin County, Garfield County, Grant County, Grays Harbor County, Island County, Jefferson County, King County, Kitsap County, Kittitas County, Klickitat County, Lewis County, Lincoln County, Mason County, Okanogan County, Pacific County, Pend Oreille County, Pierce County, San Juan County, Skagit County, Skamania County, Snohomish County, Spokane County, Stevens County, Thurston County, Wahkiakum County, Walla Walla County, Whatcom County, Whitman County, Yakima County.

Alternate Spellings:

Atorney, Attroney, Attourney, Attornies, Atturnies,Atroney, Atorney, Atorneys, Attroney, Atturney, Atturneys, Attourneys, Attorneyship, Lowyer, Laywer, Lowyer, Lawyres, Lawyre, Lowyers, Laywers, Layre, Lawer, Premies, Permesis, Primesis, Primisis, Liabilitie, Laibility, Laibilitie,  Mesotheluim, Mesetheliem, Mesothleium, Mesothlieum, Abstestos, Apestos, Abpestos, Deafective, Dafective, Dafektive,  Nurseing, Accdents, Acidents, Orgon, Orge, Oregan, Washton, Washingten, Portlond, Portlund, Litgation Litagtion, Litation,Therepy, Therpy, Tharpy, Solicator, Solicators, Judgement, Judgements