Child Sexual Abuse or Serious Injury

Abuse often occurs among populations that are vulnerable or defenseless to protect themselves. This includes young children, the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Studies estimate that people with intellectual disabilities face a 4 to 10 times higher risk of becoming victims of sexual abuse than those without intellectual disabilities. This sad reality is due to several factors that make people with intellectual…

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse or assault, you may wish to put it all behind you and set your sights only on the future. Many survivors find it difficult, however, to move forward without first closing the traumatic chapter of abuse in their lives. One of the most effective ways to find closure is by pursuing civil litigation against…

When someone has gone through something as traumatic as sexual abuse or assault, it is important for others to communicate with that person in a manner that is sensitive and sympathetic to what the victim has endured. Engaging correctly with a survivor of sexual trauma can help him or her navigate the difficult aftermath of abuse. Trauma-informed communication is a system for…

A Kansas school district has agreed to settle with a former student, Haylee Weissenbach. Following her graduation, Weissenbach filed a federal lawsuit in 2020 for the district’s “deliberate indifference” in handling the sexual abuse from McLouth High School teacher, Anthony Kuckelman. With DRZ’s own Daniel Zmijewski’s representation, McLouth Unified School District agreed to pay $800,000 to the victim. Read the article from…

Sexual abuse is a heinous crime that has consequences for a survivor long after the last incident of abuse. Being sexually abused as a child can have an enormous effect on the child’s physical, emotional and mental well-being. Childhood sexual abuse and assault survivors often need therapy, counseling, medications and other remedies to cope with the crimes that were committed against them….

Filing a sexual assault or abuse civil lawsuit is about much more than collecting financial compensation. For a survivor of sexual abuse, coming forward with a case presents the opportunity to speak out against a perpetrator, hold an institution accountable, obtain justice and closure, and finally move forward. However, the financial amount awarded in a successful sexual abuse case can be a…

Age of consent laws are critical in sexual assault and abuse cases. Consent is someone’s agreement to participate in sexual activity. Engaging in sexual acts with someone without that person’s consent is a crime. If an individual is younger than the age of consent in a particular state, he or she cannot legally agree to sexual activity. The age of consent in…

Everyone has a responsibility to look out for the safety, health and welfare of children in their communities. Under Kansas law, however, certain individuals have a legal obligation to report suspicions of child sexual abuse or neglect. These individuals are known as mandated reporters, and they can face penalties for failing to speak up if they suspect certain crimes against children. Find…

Child abuse and neglect are crimes that continue to pervade America. With the month of April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month, it is incredibly important to recognize the importance of spreading awareness and bringing communities together to prevent child abuse and neglect. Find out how to spot and report child abuse or neglect in Kansas to keep the children in your…

Sex crimes against children take many forms and have various definitions. While the phrases “child molestation” and “child sexual abuse” may be used interchangeably, there are key differences that separate them as two different crimes on a legal level in Kansas – with different penalties for perpetrators. Learn this distinction if you are a parent, guardian or another concerned adult who suspects…