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Foster Care Abuse

For decades, our team has been handled some of the most complex sexual abuse and personal injury claims across the nation. For more information, please contact our office to set up a free consultation at (800) 477-2989.

Foster Care Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Child Sexual Abuse in the Foster Care System

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, we has 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.

Why Choose The Zalkin Law Firm?

Call our firm today at (800) 477-2989 or contact us online to request a free and confidential case review with a foster care sexual abuse lawyer.

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 FondlingThis involves any non-consensual, intentional contact with a child's body for sexual purposes. It can include touching of private parts, either over or under clothing, and forcing the child to touch the perpetrator.
  • Exposure to Sexual ContentThis 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 ExploitationChildren 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 HarassmentThis 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 RapeThis 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 OthersSometimes, 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 TraffickingSome 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 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 which 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

Your Right to Take Legal Action

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 which 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.

The Zalkin Law Firm: Proven & Passionate Advocates

The Zalkin Law Firm has dedicated much of our practice to representing survivors in 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.

Helping Our Clients Get Closure

Millions Recovered on Behalf of Our Clients
  • Clergy Sexual Abuse
    Multi-Victim
    $660,000,000

    Irwin Zalkin was one of the lead trial lawyers and part of the trial team prepared to commence a 14 victim trial against the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, the day a global settlement was reached in the amount of $660,000,000.

  • Clergy Sexual Abuse
    Multi-Victim
    $198,500,000

    Irwin Zalkin was appointed Mediation Liaison Counsel and a lead negotiator by United States Magistrate Judge Leo S. Papas on behalf of over 144 victims of childhood sexual abuse against the Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego.

  • Clergy Sexual Abuse
    Multi-Victim
    $100,000,000

    Irwin Zalkin was part of the team of lawyers representing clergy sexual abuse survivors in the Diocese of Orange, California who recently helped to negotiate the first $100,000,000 global settlement in the country involving childhood sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy.

  • Clergy Sexual Abuse
    Multi-Victim
    $10,500,000

    Multi-victim case against religious group home.

  • Lohse v. Lakeland Village HOA (Oakland, CA) $8,000,000

    An $8 Million judgment against a resort facility after a six-week jury trial for a woman who was rendered a paraplegic following a fall off of an unguarded pier.

  • Clergy Sexual Abuse
    Multi-Victim
    $8,000,000

    Multi-victim case against a religious leader and institution.

  • Child Sexual Abuse
    Single Victim
    $4,250,000

    $4.25 Million paid to single sexual abuse Plaintiff.

  • Clergy Sexual Abuse
    Multi-Victim
    $4,200,000

    Three survivors abused as minors by priests associated with a Northern California Diocese.

  • Child Sexual Abuse
    Single Victim
    $4,150,000

    $4.15 Million paid to single sexual abuse Plaintiff.

  • Child Sexual Abuse
    Single Victim
    $4,000,000

    $4 Million paid to single sexual abuse Plaintiff.

Your Story Deserves to Be Heard

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