Help for Victims and Families | Child Care Sexual Abuse in Fort Worth

For many working parents in Fort Worth Tx, securing safe and reliable care for their children is a necessity. And while most child care organizations are deserving of the trust parents place in them, studies suggest that a startling number of children fall victim to abuse by child care employees each year. A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for example, found that in 2017 alone, more than 2,000 daycare providers were guilty of abusing children within their care.

With statistics like these, it’s no wonder that many parents have questions about how child care abuse happens and what they can do when they learn their child has fallen victim to it. The specialized Texas child injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw are prepared to answer these questions while working on behalf of victims and their families to secure the resources they need to initiate a child’s recovery.

Attorneys know that childcare sexual abuse is a topic that no parent wants to have to learn about. And yet, by understanding how abusive incidents happen and what can be done to support a child in their aftermath, parents can best position themselves to protect their child’s health and safety well into the future.

The following is a list of frequently asked questions compiled by Fort Worth child abuse attorneys meant to better equip parents to recognize and respond to signs that childcare abuse has occurred:

A: The sad reality is that child sexual abuse can happen just about anywhere—even in those spaces that parents commonly recognize to be safe. Abuse has been known to take place within settings as diverse as daycare centers, church groups, and school organizations, among many others. Because of this, parents should never assume that abuse couldn’t happen within an organization, no matter how it might appear from the outside.

A: The physical signs of sexual abuse are often the easiest for parents to identify, including symptoms like redness or swelling to genital areas, torn or soiled clothing, or the development of sexually transmitted infections. In the absence of obvious physical signs, however, parents must look for more subtle behavioral cues from their child, who may not be able to communicate the ways they’ve been harmed. According to sexual abuse lawyers in Fort Worth, common behaviors to look out for include fear of returning to a childcare center, sudden mood swings, nightmares or bedwetting, and a sudden, age-inappropriate interest in sex.

A: While many parents can feel panicked after learning that child care sexual abuse in Fort Worth has occurred, it is important that they attempt to stay calm so they can intervene effectively to protect their child. The first step a parent should take after recognizing signs of abuse is seeking appropriate medical treatment as soon as possible. Parents will also want to report abuse promptly to the police so that perpetrators can be prosecuted and charged.

Finally, seeking guidance from a specialized lawyer will ensure parents take all the steps necessary to establish a successful civil case. These lawsuits allow parents to secure compensation for costs associated with abuse, such as medical care, psychotherapy, and a child’s ongoing pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by childcare abuse in Fort Worth Tx, you should consider speaking with our Texas child injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw about your legal rights.

Call us today at 800-862-1260 to get started with a free case review. Our English and Spanish-speaking staff are available 24/7 to assist our clients in getting the legal assistance they need.