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?

