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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    1

    Default Pressing Charges for Childhood Abuse After Reaching Adulthood

    My question involves child abuse or neglect in the State of: California, originally

    So, here's my situation: I was abused as a child physically, emotionally, verbally, and sexually as was my sister and my mother (not sexually, as far as I know, but otherwise...). This occurred when I was age 9 till age 18 when I ran away from home after graduating highschool and moved to Iowa. The abuse was done by my mother's husband. She divorced him when I turned 22. She and my sister (who is 20 and has 2 children, age 4 and age 2) are both homeless in California, currently living in a shelter, as a direct result of emotional and mental problems caused by the abuse (in my mother's case, there are also financial issues caused by my stepfather's tax evasion).

    I want to press civil charges against my step-father. I am 26 now and I have not seen the man for 4 years. I know where he last lived and I am...frustrated because he is living in Calabasus with his girlfriend with Mercedes and Harleys while my family is destroyed.

    I have not talked to an attorney yet. I just...I don't want to walk in and be laughed out of the office. I am in therapy for PTSD, anxiety, and an eating disorder triggered by the abuse. The problem is, I live in Iowa now. I cannot afford to fly to California. My mother and my sister are still too afraid of my step-father to press charges- they are afraid to ever see him again. I want to do this for all of us, to provide some closure and to make sure he never hurts another female again.

    Do I have a leg to stand on?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: A Tough Situation

    You need to speak to an attorney - in California and do so virtually immediately - the SOL in CA for sexual abuse suits is 8 years after the age of majority (which would mean 26!).

    (Though there are apparently loopholes that can toll the SOL - this is also why you'll need to speak with an attorney)

    Please continue to seek therapy, also, no matter what happens.

    You will also need proof - and I"m not sure what kind of proof you have, based upon what you've written here.

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