Michigan Child Sexual Abuse Quick Links

What is child sexual abuse?

Who are the victims of child sexual abuse?

Who commits child sexual abuse?

What types of child sexual abuse occur?

What are the potential damages and compensation in child abuse lawsuits?

How does one go about filing a child sexual abuse claim in Michigan?

Is there confidentiality and privacy when filing a sexual abuse lawsuit?

What is the Michigan age of consent law?

Are you a child sexual abuse survivor?

The deadline for filing a sexual abuse civil lawsuit

Confidentiality and privacy when filing a sexual abuse civil lawsuit

Why Contact Steve Crane and Crane Law?

There is no fee until you win

What is child sexual abuse?

Child sexual abuse in Michigan is exactly as it sounds. It is an adult of age participating in sexual acts or performing sexual acts on a minor child under the age of 16. Child sexual abuse is not simply intercourse. It includes sexual contact, comments, voyeurism, and other verbal and physical sexual actions. Examples of child sexual abuse include, but are not limited to:

• Rape
• Sexual Assault using foreign objects
• Possession of child pornography
• Taking nude photos of a child
• Forcing a child to view pornographic material
• Oral sex
• Voyeurism
• Flashing
• Touching a child’s genitals, breasts, or other intimate areas
• Vaginal or anal penetration with a finger or penis
• Discussing sexually specific things with a child

Who Are the victims of child sexual abuse?

The statistics regarding child sexual abuse are appalling. The reality, as reported by the Crimes Against Children Research Center shows that nationally 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys are sexually abused as children. Statistics show that 16% of children ages 14 to 17 are sexually assaulted each year. The most vulnerable ages, according to these statistics are children between 7 through 13 years old.

Who commits child sexual abuse?

Child sexual abuse is typically committed by a trusted adult. These adults are either trusted by the child because they are relatives and caretakers or because society says they can be trusted. Many times, the people committing these horrific crimes are highly regarded within the community. Some of the most common perpetrators of child sexual abuse may be:

• Clergy
• Priests
• Teachers
• Babysitters
• Caretakers
• Scout leaders
• Coaches
• Family members (aunt, uncle, mother, father, cousin, brother, sister, grandparent, etc.)
• Family friends
• Daycare providers
• Healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, dentists, therapists, etc.)
• Society influencers (celebrities, business leaders, government officials, etc.)

What types of child sexual abuse can occur?

Sex abusers and offenders are predators. They prey on innocent victims. Victims often have no one to turn to for protection. Different types of child sexual abuse or assault can include:

• Day & Foster Care sexual abuse
• Sex abuse in sports
• Clergy sexual abuse
• High School & College Sports Hazing
• Sexual Abuse by Doctors & Psychiatrists

Are you a victim of child sexual abuse or assault? Steve Crane understands the importance of aggressive legal action against child sex abusers and offenders. He understands how empty and vulnerable one can feel in speaking up. He also knows that speaking up and out can be empowering, transformative, liberating. It helps brings the necessary closure a survivor deserves.

What are the potential damages and compensation in child sexual abuse lawsuits?

Pursuing a child sexual abuse claim against a perpetrator or institution responsible for enabling child molestation can lead to critical changes in your community. Your lawsuit could be the driving force behind changes that ultimately save other children from suffering the same fate. Holding the at-fault party accountable can give you justice, empowerment, and closure. Another benefit of winning a claim is a monetary award for all the economic and non-economic damages you suffered:

• Nominal damages. If you suffered from the inherent threat of sex abuse but the defendant never actually assaulted or harmed you, you may still be eligible for nominal damages. This is a small sum you could receive for fear or apprehension of assault.
• Emotional and psychological harms. Sexual abuse can cause significant emotional, mental, and psychological damage to the survivor. If the acts of an abuser inflicted these intangible damages on you, a jury could award compensation to help make up for them.
• Impairment of the capacity to carry on with life. Childhood abuse often affects a survivor for life. Survivors may find themselves needing therapy or medical care to carry on. These are compensable damages in Michigan.
• Financial harm. If child sex abuse resulted in financial damages later in life, such as missed wages while taking mental health days, you could list them as part of a settlement demand.
• Punitive damages. Judges in Michigan reserve punitive damage awards for cases involving gross negligence, extreme recklessness, and malicious intent to harm. Sexual abuse could qualify you to receive a punitive damage award as a survivor.

The specific damages you may be able to recover, as well as the value a judge or jury assigns to them, will depend on your case. Steve Crane and his team can evaluate your specific child sexual abuse case for free to help you calculate its worth. Then, he can help you bring a claim against one or multiple defendants in pursuit of a reasonable compensatory award. He will do whatever it takes to maximize compensation for your damages, including taking a case to court, if necessary. He can help you maintain your privacy during a sexual abuse lawsuit.

How does one go about filing a claim in Michigan Civil Court for child sexual abuse injuries?

The first step in filing a child sexual abuse claim is learning your rights as a survivor. Research Michigan’s sexual abuse laws to see if your experience meets the definition of sex abuse or assault. Learn about related civil laws as well, such as Michigan’s statute of limitations on child sex abuse claims. As of 2018, as a general rule, survivors have until age 28 to bring their civil claim. There are exceptions and the time could be longer under certain circumstances. For example, Michigan State University concealed Larry Nassar’s abuse. For decades the University of Michigan concealed Dr. Robert E. Anderson’s abuse. Under those particular situations, a survivor has three years from the date the respective Universities finally acknowledged the “cover-up.”

Next, contact an attorney. Steve Crane can help you understand your rights to file a civil suit against your abuser and other parties in Michigan, including large and powerful institutions. He can advise you of the steps he will take in filing your claim, such as determining the identity of the defendant(s), writing a demand letter and bringing the claim in the correct state or federal court.

Lastly, Steve will help you with the most difficult part of your child abuse case – the fight for justice.

YOUR RIGHT TO CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY

A child is entitled to privacy under Stae 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.

What Is the age of consent in Michigan?

In Michigan, the legal age of sexual consent is 16. In Michigan, we have the “Romeo and Juliet law,” (MCL 750.520e(a)), which creates an exception to “statutory rape” and other having sex. However, having sex with a minor, a person who is under 13 years old, carries zero exceptions. It is a bright-line rule for “statutory rape” and carries a variety of penalties, including significant jail time.

Children should be free to focus on school, building friendships, preparing for college and determining what they want to do with their lives.

Unfortunately, sexual predators and irresponsible adults over the age of 21 frequently attempt to take advantage of a child’s youth and inexperience by involving them in sexual activity. If your child is a victim of statutory rape, contact child sexual abuse attorney Steve Crane to find out how you can press charges against those who assaulted your child. He and his team will work tirelessly to help you obtain justice, as well as secure financial compensation for your family’s suffering.

Are you a child sex abuse survivor?

Sexual violence can be incredibly traumatic and leave scars that sometimes last for the rest of your life. Nightmares, anxiety, stress, eating disorders, and insomnia are just some of the issues you may have experienced after the incident. By summoning the strength to confront those who wronged you and file a claim against them for damages, you will be taking a major step towards moving on with your life. The process may be frightening, but ultimately it can be therapeutic and bring a type of closure.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, it is important that you have legal counsel that understands and has compassion to address the damages you have suffered emotionally and physically.

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 are a victim or survivor of sexual abuse, you should contact experienced and respected trial attorney Steve Crane. 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.

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.

Because Michigan’s Wrongful Death Act does not include a statute of limitations, the statute of limitations for the underlying cause of action (i.e., negligence) applies. In the case of wrongful death actions based on general negligence, the statute of limitations is the general 3-year statute of limitations for injury to a person or property when reviewing. See Michigan Compiled Law 600.5805(2).

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.

Confidentiality and privacy when filing a sexual abuse civil lawsuit

A child is entitled to privacy under State and Federal Law. Michigan Courts will protect your right to file as a “Jane or John Doe” to permit a child to maintain anonymity and privacy while still allowing you to pursue justice.

An adult is entitled to privacy too. When possible, Steve will file your case as “Jane or John Doe.” This can keep your identity private, while still allowing you to pursue the deserved justice.

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse or assault, it is important that you have legal counsel that understands and has the compassion to address the damages you have suffered emotionally and physically.

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. Steve has helped many victims of sexual assault and abuse obtain substantial recoveries when they were abused.

Contact Steve Crane now and be assured he will discreetly and in full confidence discuss your case. To schedule a discrete and confidential consultation about your matter, email or call him at (833) 855-4400.

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.