Category: Child Sex Abuse

Sexual Abusers Who Target Minors Manipulate the Trust of Adults and Children

Although a lot of people believe they can spot a sexual abuser or “just know” that someone is a potential threat to children, the truth is that many sexual abusers are seemingly normal people who are much-loved or well-respected members of the community. In fact, many predators and abusers rely on building a sense of trust and authority with a family before abusing a child, and families can be shocked to find out the truth—even to the point of disbelieving a child’s allegations.

Sexual abusers may try to manipulate a community’s trust and gain unsupervised access to a child by:

• Relying on a position of authority in an organization or community
• Offering to help out at childcare facilities or volunteer time at children’s programs
• Building a sense of rapport or trust with parents
• Showering a child with special gifts and attention

Although you may have met and liked the teachers, priests, volunteers, and other care providers who interact with your child, you can’t always rely on how a person appears or your “gut feeling” about him or her. Instead, you should insist on knowing how organizations screen and supervise the people who interact with vulnerable children and make sure that appropriate steps have been taken to keep your child safe.

If you believe your child may have been sexually abused by a trusted authority figure, we understand you may be overwhelmed—but you are not helpless. Get answers and learn more about your family’s rights by contacting our law office at 312-332-1400 for help.

Child Sexual Abuse Can Occur Online or Through a Smartphone

In today’s world, an overwhelming number of teenagers have personal cell phones or smartphones, and it’s even common for much younger children to have phones or tablets of their own.

Children have online access at home, at school, and on the go—and it’s incredibly difficult for parents to monitor every second their children spend typing, texting, searching, and communicating online. However, child sexual abusers have used the advances in technology to get closer to potential victims, and every parent should be aware of the risks. Here are some of the most common forms of sexual abuse that happen through the technology we all depend on:

• “Sexting” or engaging in sexual roleplaying with a child or teen over the phone
• Sending messages of an inappropriate sexual nature through social media, instant messengers, and other online forums
• Engaging in sexual behavior on a webcam or live-streaming service while a child watches
• Asking a child to undress or engage in sexual behavior on camera
• Asking a child for sexual photographs or sending sexual photographs to a child
• Sending inappropriate links or encouraging a child to look at online pornography sites, photographs, or videos
• Purchasing gifts for the child through online “wish lists” in exchange for sexual behavior
• Making sexual comments about a child’s photographs that are posted online

While good supervision and use of parental controls can help limit a child’s risk when using the phone or accessing the Internet, it’s difficult to monitor everything or know what to do if you suspect there is a problem. If you have questions about potential child sexual abuse, take steps to start getting answers today by reaching out to our office at 312-332-1400 or using the live chat service on this page.

You Should Know About Any Adults Who Have Contact With Your Child at Daycare

Do you know everyone who interacts with your children while they’re away at daycare?

It may come as a surprise, but many recorded cases of child sexual abuse in daycares involve other adults who aren’t part of the direct childcare staff. Although you may know the teachers and caregivers who are there when you drop your kids of in the morning or pick them up in the evening, it’s important to be aware of any and all adults who have contact with your child during the day or may be on the premises. This might include:

• Administrators and office staff
• Assistant and substitute teachers
• Bus drivers
• Janitors and maintenance staff
• Kitchen staff
• In-house nurse or medical staff
• Counselors or youth ministers
• Specialty teachers and regular guest presenters
• Relatives or friends of the staff

Make it a point to talk with the administrators or daycare owners about each and every person who may have contact with your child, and consider dropping by unannounced from time to time to make sure you can observe what you’ve been told about supervision and safety. This may be an especially important step to take if you child is enrolled in an in-home or unlicensed daycare, where supervision and security may be more relaxed. Protecting your child from sexual abuse means being proactive, and you can take steps to make sure the adults who interact with your child are safe, screened, and supervised.

If you suspect that your child may have been sexually abused by an adult at daycare, don’t wait any longer to get answers. Our experienced legal team is standing by at 312-332-1400 to help with your concerns.

Teachers and Staff Must Report Child Sexual Abuse That Happens at School

Many people who work with children in schools and day care centers know that they are required to report any suspicions of child sexual abuse to the authorities or their employers. They’ve generally received some training in spotting the signs of all kinds of abuse in children and how to report the signs appropriately, and this can help uncover instances of child abuse in the home or family—but what happens when the abuse happens on school grounds or with a staff member?

Although many types of school employees are “mandatory reporters” for child sexual abuse, there can be a lot of problems with reporting suspicions of sexual abuse by a teacher, coach, or even principal. Training may not always address how to handle reporting when a coworker or supervisor is suspected of abuse, and some schools don’t have appropriate policies in place to handle allegations and complaints that are reported.

Schools have a duty to provide a safe environment for children, and that duty includes taking appropriate measures to:

• Train staff to recognize the signs of child sexual abuse.
• Include training on what to do when a staff member is suspected of abuse.
• Put policies in place to prevent potential abuse by teachers and staff.
• Include additional staff members, such as bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and others, in sexual-abuse training.
• Track, analyze, and follow up on reports of suspected abuse by school personnel.

If you suspect that your child may have been abused by a teacher or staff member at school, don’t wait any longer to get answers. Our experienced legal team is standing by at 312-332-1400 to help you with your concerns.

 

Northern Illinois Man Charged With Sexually Abusing Five Children Related to Wife’s Daycare

An in-home daycare in a residential area near Winnebago is at the center of sex-abuse allegations, and the husband of the daycare owner has been identified as the alleged abuser. According to a report from NBC Chicago, 51-year-old David Seaton had already been charged with the sexual abuse of a three-year-old child earlier this year, and new charges against him—filed just this week—now include sex abuse and assault against four more child victims.

While little information is available at this time, it has been confirmed that the three-year-old child was enrolled in the home daycare which is operated by Seaton’s wife in a subdivision west of Rockford. The ages and enrollment statuses of the other children have not yet been revealed, but the official charges from prosecutors include one count of “predatory criminal sexual assault” and 11 counts of “aggravated criminal sex abuse” in total.

David Seaton is currently being held on bond in county jail. At this time, authorities do not suspect the daycare owner of any crimes, and her daycare will remain open under a safety plan laid out by the Department of Children and Family Services.

Daycares and Schools of All Sizes Have a Responsibility to Protect Children From Sexual Abusers

In-home and unlicensed daycares can present risks that many parents don’t want to think about, but it’s still important to understand the signs of child sexual abuse and how to take action if a child is abused while under another person’s care. Parents can’t do everything alone, and daycares have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect their vulnerable wards from predators and abusers. When employers and institutions fail to protect children, families need to break the silence and take action. If you have concerns, start getting better informed today by visiting our onsite blog—and don’t hesitate to contact our law office directly at 312-332-1400 if your family needs answers now.

 

 

Parents of Sexually Abused Children May Be Hurt by a Legal System That Seems Cold and Unfeeling

When a parent believes his or her child has been sexually abused, it can be difficult to go through a legal process that still treats the abuse like a question. While there may be no doubt in your mind that your child is telling the truth or that the evidence you have is enough to hold the abuser responsible, the court system still has to remain neutral—and it can seem cold, unfeeling, or even heartless as you go through the necessary steps. But, despite how it may seem, there are allies in the legal system who are ready to help you figure out the truth and find justice.

While you probably understand that the courts need evidence to hold an abuser responsible for such despicable acts, it’s still hard to put your family through the interviews, questioning, and potential for disbelief. This is a big part of why families of abuse victims choose to turn to an attorney for help in sensitive cases. A legal team that has helped victims in similar situations will be prepared to:

• Support you through the process
• Minimize the stress on your family
• Act as a voice supporting your claims throughout the process

While there is no way to shield your family from the stress and pain of child sexual abuse, it is possible to make the process easier on you and provide the compassion and support you need to get through the challenges you face.

Do you have questions about the legal steps that follow suspicions of child sexual abuse? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced attorneys at 312-332-1400 for clear answers and compassionate support.