FAQs About Daycare Abuse

Every year, thousands of Texas families reel from the traumatic aftereffects of daycare sexual abuse. In the midst of severe psychological and emotional trauma, parents and guardians may find themselves uncertain about what steps they should take to best serve their child’s interests. Where can parents find the answers they need?

First and foremost, it is important to consult with a qualified child abuse lawyer to learn more about your legal options. However, the team of child injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw have compiled the following FAQs about daycare abuse to help families who need immediate guidance.

A: Unfortunately, daycare sexual abuse is far too common. The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas estimate that 1 in 10 children will experience some form of sexual trauma or abuse before their eighteenth birthday. Of these children, 26% will be abused by non-relative adults, including teachers, babysitters, daycare workers, coaches, youth pastors, and other childcare staff. The frightening reality is that child abusers are often deeply embedded in the daily lives of children.

A: Because children may find it difficult to express the complexities of their traumatic experience, it can be difficult for parents to understand what has happened to their child.

In many cases, children who have experienced sexual abuse will demonstrate abrupt changes in their behavior or personality. For example, children may exhibit violent, anti-social, anxious, depressive, or fearful behaviors. They may exhibit an unhealthy interest in sex/sexuality and express fear at returning to daycare. Physical signs may include bedwetting, genital bleeding, or STDs.

A: While parents and guardians have the option of representing their child’s daycare abuse lawsuit, the reality is that it is extremely difficult to provide sufficient evidence and argumentation to prove liability in a court of law. Parents risk being taken advantage of by the defendant’s attorneys and their own lack of legal knowledge and expertise.

With the representation of an experienced daycare abuse attorney in Texas, however, parents can rest assured that their child’s rights are protected throughout the litigation process.

A: One of the first things you will determine with your daycare abuse attorney is whether you should pursue criminal or civil charges. The goals in a criminal vs. a civil suit, while similar, are slightly different; while both seek to provide justice for victims, the goal of a criminal suit is to pursue conviction or criminal charges while the goal of a civil suit is to provide victims with adequate monetary support to compensate for their physical, psychological, and financial damages.

In many cases, a parent’s decision to pursue criminal or civil charges relies on the strength of the available evidence and their lawyer’s expectations for their case.

A: In the state of Texas, there is no statute of limitations for cases involving the sexual abuse of a minor. This means that no longer how many months or years have passed since your child’s abuse, you can and should seek restitution for their injuries.

The child injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw have served sexual trauma victims and their families with compassion, dignity, and dedication for nearly thirty years. With our “client-first” philosophy, world-class attorneys, and 24/7 English and Spanish-speaking staff, our clients know they are taken care of at every step of the daycare injury lawsuit process.

If you would like to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation with the Texas injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw, call our office toll-free at 800-862-1260.