Childhood Sexual Abuse Attorney in Philadelphia

Your Right to Protect the Innocent

It is our mission to provide not only extraordinary but compassionate representation to our clients.

This is particularly true in sexual abuse cases. Without question, cases involving sexual abuse are sensitive and troubling, especially when child-victims are involved. Simply put, it is an unforgivable betrayal of trust for a child to be sexually victimized by a pedophile scoutmaster, clergy member, teacher, daycare provider, coach or other trusted adult. But the sad truth is that it happens all the time. Mr. Privitera cares and is fully committed to holding sexual predators and their enablers fully accountable for their misconduct and actions, including institutions such as schools, religious organizations, youth and sports organizations where pedophiles tend to gravitate because of their easy access to vulnerable children.

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    Child Sexual Abuse Statistics

    The number of children who have suffered sexual abuse is becoming an epidemic in the United States. Most experts agree that the incidence is far greater than what is reported to authorities. The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) has compiled some staggering statistics based on available research and studies done on child sexual abuse:

    • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau report Child Maltreatment 2010 found that 9.2% of victimized children were sexually assaulted.
    • One in five girls and one in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse.
    • Self-report studies show that 20% of adult females and 5-10% of adult males recall a childhood sexual assault or sexual abuse incident.
    • During a one-year period in the U.S., 16% of youth ages 14 to 17 had been sexually victimized.
    • Over the course of their lifetime, 28% of U.S. youth ages 14 to 17 had been sexually victimized.
    • Children are most vulnerable to childhood sexual abuse between the ages of 7 and 13.

    Dino Privitera

    Your Attorney

    Mr. Privitera is the founder of The Privitera Law Firm LLC and concentrates his practice on the representation of catastrophically injured victims.

    Mr. Privitera has been repeatedly recognized throughout the legal community for his skill and expertise, work ethic, preparation and dedication to his clients in personal injury and wrongful death matters. Mr. Privitera has earned the respect of the legal community, has extensive experience, a sterling reputation for handling significant personal injury and wrongful death cases and proven track record of success and outstanding results.

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    Differences Between Criminal And Civil Cases

    Sexual abuse is a serious crime. Survivors of childhood sexual abuse also have the right to bring civil personal injury claims against their abusers as well as other people and entities that enabled the abuse or conspired to cover it up. In a civil personal injury lawsuit, sexual abuse victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, wage loss, and the physical, psychological and emotional trauma they have endured as a result of their abuse.

    Statute Of Limitations

    Because victims of sexual abuse or assault suffer devastating and life-long emotional and psychological trauma, many sexual abuse victims never come forward to report their abusers, while others suffer in silence for many years before they can muster the strength to speak out about their sexual abuse. It is entirely understandable that some child victims of sexual assault may be unwilling or unable to disclose their abuse because of the damaging psychological effects associated with their experience.

    It may not be too late for you. Even if you were victimized many years ago as a child, you still may have viable claims to pursue as an adult survivor. Pennsylvania law prevents the statute of limitations from running while the victim of sexual molestation is under 18 years of age. Under all circumstances, a child has until age 20, and in some cases up to age 30, to file a timely lawsuit for sexual abuse suffered as a child.