So i have a friend who was beaten and psychologically abused by her step father for four years from ages 8 to 12. At about age 10 or 11 she told her teachers who then called social services. Social services took a statement but didnt prosecute the step father because he delicately talked his way out of the situation. The severity of the abuse wasnt known by many because the girl was often left home alone with the step father and her younger sister. However, he only targeted her and not the younger sibling or the mother. After the brief encounter with social services the girl was sent to a psychologist who chronicled the abuse but didnt do anything to stop or resolve it.
the mother divorced the step father when the girl was 12 and so the abuse stopped.
Now the girl is 27 and has finally decided that the only way she can get closure is to find a way to make her ex step father legally responsible for abusing her.
Is there any way she could take action against him legally? The ideal result would be to at least make him aware of the damage he caused and in some way responsible.
btw, this took place in california.

