Childhood sexual abuse is a far too prevalent crime that often stems from systemic issues. There have been countless cases in which dozens, if not hundreds, of instances of childhood sexual abuse were covered up by perpetrators’ employers.
Such cover-ups carry stiff penalties in the state of California.
Below, our Los Angeles trial attorneys discuss the parties that may be held liable for instances of child molestation and abuse.
Sexual Abuse Cover-Ups
Sexual abuse often occurs in environments where perpetrators know they may get away with their crimes. These environments include groups or communities where the voices of the powerful silence those of the powerless, such as in religious institutions, universities, hospitals, and more.
Well-known instances of sexual abuse cover-ups include:
- Hundreds of cases of sex abuse committed by Catholic priests that were covered up by the Catholic Church
- Dozens of cases of sexual misconduct committed by former gynecologist George Tyndall that were mishandled by the University of Southern California
Who’s Responsible for Sexual Abuse?
There are several parties that may be held accountable for sexual abuse, particularly if the abuse is concentrated in one particular institution. Such a phenomenon suggests that the abuse is widely known and has been allowed to continue under a veil of secrecy in an effort to avoid scandal.
For example, in scenarios where perpetrators’ sexual abuse was covered up by an institution, such as a church or a university, both the perpetrator and any and all individuals who were involved in the cover-up may be held liable for damages.
In California in particular, the courts are empowered to triple the damage awards when sexual abuse happened alongside an attempted or successful cover-up.
Sexual abuse survivors may recover the following damages from liable parties:
- Emotional and physical pain and suffering
- Medical expenses for the treatment of physical injuries
- Ongoing counseling and therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression related to the abuse
- Past and future lost wages when survivors are unable to find or maintain meaningful employment because of the abuse
At Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP, our Los Angeles trial attorneys can help you identify liable parties and file a sexual abuse claim against them. We’re passionate about protecting the rights of sexual abuse survivors, and we want to help you through this.
Don’t spend another second in silence. Contact Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP today at (866) 634-4525 to schedule a confidential consultation with our team.
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