Your right to confidentiality and privacy

Who is liable for summer camp sexual abuse?

Child sexual abuse Is a widespread problem

Perpetrators of child sexual abuse are often related to the victim

Preventing summer camp sexual abuse

The deadline for filing a sexual abuse civil lawsuit

Why contact Steve Crane and Crane Law?

There is no fee until you win

What Should You Do If You Suspect Summer Camp Sexual Abuse?

A parent’s response to learning of their child’s sexual abuse should:

• Validate: Say things like “I believe you;” “I’m so sorry this happened to you;” “What happened to you is very serious;” “I can see how painful it is for you;” “It’s okay to feel afraid/sad/angry;” or “Thank you so much for telling me; you did the right thing.”
• Reassure: Say things like “I love you no matter what;” “I will do everything I can to keep you safe;” and “What happened to you was not your fault.”
• Involve: Ask what your child wants or needs. Try to include their input and opinions in developing a treatment plan, so they feel some sense of control. Clearly explain why your child needs to see a doctor or speak with a social worker.
• Be Honest: Avoid making false promises.

You should also avoid:

• Becoming noticeably upset: Remember your child may be feeling scared, anxious, confused, angry, and sad. Above all else, you need to be the model of calm.
• Attacking the abuser: Confronting the abuser without the full story can increase danger to you and your child. Be discreet and avoid spreading rumors before they’re confirmed.
• Pressuring your child to speak: Allow your child to speak freely, but do not probe too deeply. Acquiring a child’s testimony is a complex process best done by trained professionals.

YOUR RIGHT TO CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY

A child is entitled to privacy under State and Federal Law. In most cases, Michigan Courts will protect your right to file as a “Jane or John Doe” and permit you to maintain anonymity and privacy while still allowing you to pursue justice. Contact Steve Crane and Crane Law now and be assured he and his team will discreetly and in full confidence discuss your case.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by speaking with Steve Crane and his team regarding your safety, good name, and legal options.

If you suspect sexual abuse, or are a victim or survivor of sexual abuse, you should contact Steve. He and his team can assess the facts of your case and help you in a trusted, private, and secure manner determine the best course of action to move forward.

To schedule a discrete and confidential consultation about your matter, email or call us at (833) 855-4400 today.

Who Is Liable for Summer Camp Sexual Abuse?

Summer camps have become a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States. The companies that own and operate summer camps have an established “duty of care” to properly train and supervise their staff. There is no excuse for sexual abuse at camp. You should not delay in reaching out to us if you suspect that your child has been molested or otherwise sexually abused.

In addition to suing the individual perpetrator, we will determine whether it is in your best interest to file a civil lawsuit against:

• camp owners, administrators, and insurers
• the summer camp’s state licensing agency
• legal guardians of minors who have committed sex abuse
• third parties involved with the camp, such as church sponsors or sports organizations
• staff members who knew (or should have known) about the abuse and did nothing

The State of Michigan has a mandatory reporter law, which requires anyone working directly with children—camp staff members included—to report known or suspected cases of child abuse directly to the local police or child welfare agency within 36 hours. Those who do not comply with the law face fines of $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

If you have ever been or are the victim of sexual abuse as a female or male, child, teenager or adult, contact us. We are totally committed to keep your matter confidential. We will help you recover, overcome and put your life back together. At the same time, you gain the substantial money you are entitled for your physical and mental injuries.

Child Sexual Abuse Is a Widespread Problem

In 2016 alone, Child Protective Services (CPS) agencies substantiated, or found strong evidence to indicate that, 57,329 children were victims of sexual abuse.

All Statistical Information taken from RAINN “Scope of the Problem: Statistics”
https://www.rainn.org/statistics/children-and-teens

• One in 9 girls and 1 in 53 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault at the hands of an adult.
• 82% of all victims under 18 are female.
• Females ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.

The effects of child sexual abuse can be long-lasting and affect the victim’s mental health. Victims are more likely than non-victims to experience the following mental health challenges:

• About 4 times more likely to develop symptoms of drug abuse
• About 4 times more likely to experience PTSD as adults
• About 3 times more likely to experience a major depressive episode as adults

All Statistical Information is taken from RAINN “Scope of the Problem: Statistics”
https://www.rainn.org/statistics/children-and-teens

Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse Are Often Related to the Victim

• Out of the sexual abuse cases reported to CPS in 2013, 47,000 men and 5,000 women were the alleged perpetrators.
• In 88% of the sexual abuse claims that CPS substantiates or finds supporting evidence of, the perpetrator is male. In 9% of cases they are female, and 3% are unknown.

All Statistical Information taken from RAINN “Scope of the Problem: Statistics”
https://www.rainn.org/statistics/children-and-teens

Preventing Summer Camp Sexual Abuse

Proper education at home can also greatly reduce a child’s risk of victimization. Be sure to read our guide to talking to kids about sexual abuse. It’s never too early to start with the following steps:

• Teach toddlers the correct names of body parts to encourage healthy body image and deter child predators.
• Use potty training or doctor’s appointments as times to discuss body privacy.
• Discuss appropriate boundaries—what parts are private, when it’s okay to say “no” to an adult, reinforcing that “we never keep secrets in our family” and “we can talk about anything.”
• Teach early warning signs of “feeling unsafe,” such as sweaty palms, a racing heart, a sick feeling in the tummy, or wanting to run away.
• Develop a safety network that includes members outside the immediate household—grandparents, neighbors, teachers, school guidance counselors, doctors, and police officers—that your child can talk to if he or she is feeling unsafe.
• Connect with teens using books or multimedia, keeping the channels of communication open, especially during these formative years.

The Deadline for filing a sexual abuse civil lawsuit

The “statute of limitations” is a term used by courts to describe the maximum amount of time plaintiffs can wait before bringing a lawsuit. This time limit is set by state law and is intended to promote fairness and keep old cases from clogging the courts. In the publication of private facts cases, the statute of limitations ordinarily runs from the date of first publication of the offending facts.

The statute of limitations varies for sexual abuse (which includes criminal sexual conduct and the broom-sticking of one’s rectum) and when the victim is a minor. Michigan Compiled Law 600.5851b(1)(a) allows children (minors) until age 28 to file a civil lawsuit, or under section 5851b(1)(b), within three years of discovering the harm, whichever is later. See Michigan Compiled Law 600.5851b(1)(b).

MCL 600.5805(6) affords adult victims 10 years from the most recent incident of sexual abuse to bring a case against the abuser.

If you suspect sexual abuse or are a victim or survivor of sexual abuse, you should contact Steve. He and his team can assess the facts of your case and help you in a trusted, private, and secure manner determine the best course of action to move forward.

To schedule a discrete and confidential consultation about your matter, email or call us at (833) 855-4400 today.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this blog is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this blog or on this website should be construed as legal advice from Crane Law PLLC or Steve Crane, Esq. Neither your receipt of information from this website nor your use of this website to contact Crane Law PLLC or Steve Crane, Esq. creates an attorney-client relationship between you and the firm or any of its lawyers. No reader of this website should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this website without seeking the appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s jurisdiction.