Child sexual abuse is a huge problem around the country. Innocent children are continually being taken advantage of in unspeakable acts, often by adults they know and/or trust. Sadly, the institutions that know they have a problem, such as the Catholic Church, are doing little about it.

An act is considered New York child abuse if it is a sexual act done with a child (0-18 years old), to a child, or with a child present. The act can be inappropriate touching, unwanted kissing, exhibition of pornography, or sexual intercourse. New York child abuse can be committed by a person you know or a complete stranger.

While many instances of Long Island sexual child abuse go unnoticed or unreported, some of the people who commit these reprehensible acts are caught. Long Island sexual child abuse can be recognized through the signs of abuse, such as bruises and prolonged depression, or the child tells someone about it.

When parents discover the sexual abuse of their child, they almost always have one question: what should I do if my child has been sexually abused? While it can be an extremely painful experience, there are three steps you should take immediately:

  1. Call the police - It is important to let the police or protective services handle the case. Nothing good comes out of parents taking things into their own hands. The abuser needs to be dealt with through the proper channels.
  2. Get help - The scars from child sexual abuse can take a lifetime for your kid to heal, but getting them immediate counseling will help them recover more quickly. Consider professional help for yourself as well -- there's nothing wrong with getting help during a very difficult time for your family.
  3. Contact a lawyer - Your family may be able to recover damages from your child's abuser, to cover the inevitable healing and emotional scars a crime like this entails. An attorney can be invaluable in guiding you through this difficult time.

Call the Manhattan child abuse attorneys at Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine immediately to learn more about your legal options. Our dedicated team of Manhattan child abuse attorneys always have your best interests at heart, and can fight on your behalf to ensure you receive what you are entitled to.