Sex Crimes

Sex Abuse Charges and Defense

Sex abuse of children is a tragic and serious crime that is seen all too often in the United States today. Reports of the sex abuse of children have reached around 80,000 times every year, and there are also many unreported cases of sex abuse due to the fear children have of telling anyone of what happened to them. Usually the sex abuser convinces the child not to tell anyone of the sex abuse that they have endured and as a result it can take many years before some cases of sex abuse come to light, while some never do. In a survey of adults it was found that one out of five women and one out of ten men have suffered sex abuse when they were children.

Child sex abuse is characterized as any type of sexual act that occurs between a child and an adult. Sex abuse can involve actual sexual acts such as touching and fondling a child, having a child touch an adult sexually, or actual intercourse. There are other forms of sex abuse that are harder to substantiate such as child pornography, either showing it to a child or using a child to make child pornography.

Often the person committing the sex abuse against a child is someone that they love and trust and often is a person who is trusted by the family as well. When a child suffers sex abuse by someone they trust and love often they are afraid to tell anyone because of their loyalty to that person. There are also instances where children are threatened into silence. Sex abuse of a child is very serious and children who are victims should receive medical and psychological attention immediately.

Being charged with sex abuse is very serious and it can result in harsh penalties including jail time and fines. While sex abuse of children is very tragic there are times when a person is falsely accused of sex abuse for a variety of reasons. Being charged with a crime you did not commit can be very frightening and can cause panic. It is important that you remain calm and contact a lawyer right away. Keeping your head and seeking legal counsel can prevent you from spending time in prison for a crime you did not commit. You should not try to defend yourself on your own for you risk making an even greater mess than already has occurred. Find a defense lawyer that specializes in cases like yours and let them help you and work to keep you free.