Houston Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Choose a Houston Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer Who Will Understand You

If you or your child are a child sexual abuse survivor, you deserve an attorney with a strong understanding of the complex consequences of sexual assault during childhood. At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, our Houston child abuse attorneys will work tirelessly to protect your rights, hold the abuser accountable, and seek fair compensation for the harm you have suffered.

Child sexual abuse is a violation of children’s trust, safety, and autonomy. In addition to the immediate harm such abuse often causes, children who experience sexual abuse may develop long-term mental health issues, as these psychological scars take years or decades to heal. Any child who has suffered sexual abuse deserves the full protection of the law and justice for the crime perpetrated against them.

If you endured sexual abuse as a child or are the parent of a child who has experienced sexual abuse, a child sexual abuse attorney from Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs can help. With several decades of legal experience under our belt and over $1 billion in compensation recovered for our clients, you can trust us to handle your case with compassion and vigor. Call our Houston sexual assault lawyer today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.

Types of Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse takes many forms, each deeply harmful and violating to the child involved. It’s crucial to recognize these acts, both to protect children and to support survivors in their journey to healing. Child sex abuse acts can fall into two main categories: those that involve direct physical contact and those that do not.

Forms of child sexual abuse involving direct physical contact include:

Assault – Unwanted or forced sexual interaction, touching, or penetration.
Exploitation – The manipulation or coercion of a child into engaging in sexual acts, including producing pornographic materials.
Indecency – Inappropriate sexual conduct with a child, including touching or engaging in sexual activities in their presence.

Forms of child sexual abuse that don’t involve direct physical contact include:

Exposure – Forcing a child to view sexual acts or pornography, or exposing oneself to the child.
Harassment – Subjecting a child to unwelcome sexual advances, comments, or threats, either in person or through digital communication.
Grooming – Building a relationship, trust, and emotional connection with a child to manipulate them into sexual activity.

Each of these acts is a severe violation of a child’s rights and well-being, deserving of legal action and support for the victims involved. A Houston child abuse lawyer can review the facts of your case and tell you whether you have grounds for a personal injury claim.

How Can Children’s Sexual Abuse Trauma Affect Their Adult Life?

The trauma of child sexual abuse often casts long shadows into adulthood, affecting survivors in profound ways. Understanding the impacts of sex crimes involving children is crucial for providing the right support and interventions:

Emotional and Psychological Distress – Survivors may experience chronic anxiety, depression, and PTSD, making it challenging to cope with daily stresses and maintain emotional stability.
Relationship Difficulties – Trust issues and intimacy problems can arise for child sex abuse survivors, complicating personal relationships and making it hard to form close, healthy bonds.
Self-Image and Esteem Issues – Child abuse victims can feel shame, guilt, and low self-worth, affecting their self-perception and confidence.
Substance Use – Some abuse survivors turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to manage their pain and traumatic memories, leading to potential substance dependency.
Physical Health Problems – The stress and trauma of child sex abuse can manifest physically, resulting in chronic conditions like headaches, gastrointestinal issues, or unexplained pains.

Damages Available in Civil Court for Child Abuse Survivors

Thanks to recent changes to Texas law, child sex abuse victims have 30 years from their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit against their abuser. A Houston child molestation attorney can help sexual abuse victims pursue compensation for the harm their abuser caused, including compensation for:

Short-term and long-term medical expenses
Lost income and reduced earning potential due to the emotional distress from abuse
Pain and suffering
Psychological distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions
Loss of companionship
Lost ability to work and enjoy daily activities
Punitive damages for child sex offenses

What Is Considered Child Sexual Abuse in Houston?

Texas law defines sexual abuse of a child as sexual contact that’s harmful to a child’s physical, mental, or emotional welfare. Broadly speaking, child sexual abuse encompasses any sexual activity between a minor and an adult or adolescent for the older individual’s sexual gratification.

While it’s not necessary for someone to be convicted of a crime to sue them for child sexual abuse, the Texas Penal Code does include a few laws that are relevant to these cases. Texas law defines indecency with a child as engaging in sexual contact with or exposing oneself to a child under 17 years of age with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desires. Adults and adolescents can commit this offense regardless of the child’s consent, understanding, or the perpetrator’s knowledge of the child’s age.

The Texas Penal Code also includes an offense called continuous sexual abuse of a young child or disabled individual. This offense is defined as committing two or more acts of sexual abuse over 30 or more days.

How to Prove Child Molestation Occurred

Proving child molestation in a civil lawsuit presents unique challenges due to the sensitive nature of child sexual abuse cases and the often private circumstances under which these acts occur. However, a skilled child sexual abuse attorney can employ strategic approaches to build a compelling case. Some types of evidence that can help support a child sexual abuse lawsuit include:

Testimonies – Statements from the child, eyewitnesses, or individuals with whom the child talked about the abuse can provide powerful evidence. Expert witnesses, such as psychologists, may also testify about the impact of the abuse on the child.
Medical Records – Documentation of physical examinations or treatments related to the abuse can help substantiate these claims, as they may reveal injuries or conditions consistent with molestation.
Behavioral Changes – Records from therapists, counselors, or educational professionals noting significant changes in the child’s behavior or emotional state can support claims of abuse.
Digital Evidence – In some cases, emails, texts, or online interactions may reveal inappropriate behavior or grooming practices by sexual predators.
Physical Evidence – Though not always available, items like clothing or objects related to the abuse can be crucial, especially if they carry DNA evidence.
Documentation of Grooming Behaviors – Evidence of gifts, trips, or special treatment that could indicate grooming behavior by the abuser may also be relevant.

Contact Our Houston Sex Abuse Injury Lawyers for Help

Children who have suffered sexual abuse deserve a vigorous advocate in the pursuit of justice. The Houston personal injury lawyers at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs can seek to hold your or your child’s abuser accountable for their heinous actions. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.

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