Learning that your child has experienced sexual assault at summer camp can be devastating and heart-wrenching. As a parent, you may feel a rush of emotions, from anger to fear for your child’s well-being. It’s vital to know that you’re not alone in this journey and that legal options are available to seek justice. This guide will outline the necessary steps to take, evidence to gather, and how a personal injury lawyer can support your family during this difficult time.
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One of the most significant factors of assault relates to children not being properly supervised. Summer camps are expected to care for, protect, and supervise children in the place of those children’s parents, and a failure to do so can lead to troubling or dangerous situations for young people.
Staff also failing to notice or take action against inappropriate, violent, or sexually aggressive behavior from other children can leave your child at far greater risk of abuse. Finally, a lack of supervision of adult staff can lead to abusive dynamics between children and camp counselors.
Immediately remove your child from the camp. Call the police and file an official report. Get your child immediate medical attention so that any injuries or visible signs of abuse or assault can be treated and documented. Next, reach out to an experienced and compassionate sexual assault lawyer for legal advice and representation.
Attorney David Kapelman is a caring, veteran sexual assault attorney serving New York. For over 35 years, he’s helped families just like yours get the support, answers, and justice they need after their child is abused at camp.
If you and your child need help and determined legal representation, reach out to The Law Offices of David A. Kapelman, P.C. at (212) 563-2010 for an initial consultation today.
Medical records from doctors or hospital visits immediately or soon after the assault can be helpful in proving abuse. It is also possible that the Summer camp had surveillance cameras that could be used to determine the camper’s or staff’s movements or verify that abuse has occurred.
Witness statements can be helpful, and can verify the deployment of counselors and what kind of supervision was occurring. Your attorney can also investigate that particular camp’s history, as some facilities have marked patterns of allowing abuse to occur.
Summer camps will often deny that any abuse happened. Alternatively, they will argue that the abuse was a spontaneous act that could not have been foreseen or prevented. In some especially disturbing cases, camps may try to blame the victim, arguing that they are making things up or that the assault was a consensual act.
If you have been informed by your child that they were assaulted at camp, reach out to an experienced sexual assault lawyer immediately. An attorney can begin to compile evidence, handle communications with the camp and its staff, and advocate on your child’s behalf.
New York’s geography can sometimes play a role for families of victims. For example, if your family is located in Brooklyn and the Summer camp is in Upstate New York, the rural county’s size or distance can impact travel, medical appointments, or access to key witnesses.
As it happens, The Law Offices of David A. Kapelman have ample resources to help handle these steps on your behalf. We’ll reach out to witnesses and liable parties directly, saving you considerable time and emotional stress. You focus on helping your child as a parent, and we’ll focus on getting your family justice.
One of the most important aspects of my work with clients is to be sensitive. A child who has been assaulted is going through immense stress, physically and emotionally.
In my 35 years of experience, I’ve handled many of these cases, for families from a range of backgrounds. In the process, I’ve learned how to work carefully with victims to help them communicate and feel safe. This also allows me, as an attorney, to uncover the truth so that we can verify what happened and get your child the help and justice that they deserve.
Still Have Questions? For more information on Sexual Assault In New York, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (212) 563-2010 today.
Attorney David Kapelman is a caring, veteran sexual assault attorney serving New York. For over 35 years, he’s helped families just like yours get the support, answers, and justice they need after their child is abused at camp.
If you and your child need help and determined legal representation, reach out to The Law Offices of David A. Kapelman, P.C. at (212) 563-2010 for an initial consultation today.