Hollywood Child Sex Abuse Lawyer

Hollywood Child Sex Abuse Lawyer Attorney

If your child has been harmed, a Hollywood child sex abuse lawyer from DeMarco Law Firm is ready to stand by your family’s side. With more than 20 years of exclusive focus on California childhood sexual abuse law, attorney Anthony DeMarco has helped hundreds of survivors and their families pursue justice and financial accountability.

Child sexual abuse cases are our sole focus, and that dedication makes a meaningful difference for every client we serve. At DeMarco Law Firm, we don’t just offer legal representation; we provide a voice for survivors.

Understanding Child Sex Abuse Laws in Hollywood

In California in 2024, there were 44,943 reported child victims of maltreatment, and 5.6-6.3% of those experienced sexual abuse. California has among the strongest child sex abuse laws in the country. Under California law, child sexual abuse includes molestation, inappropriate touching, exploitation, trafficking, and the production or distribution of child sexual abuse material. Both criminal statutes and civil law provide avenues for justice.

On the civil side, California’s AB 218 eliminated the statute of limitations for certain childhood abuse claims, meaning that adult survivors (regardless of when the abuse occurred) may still have the right to file a civil claim. This law also created a three-year window for previously time-barred claims.

It is important to understand how these child sex abuse laws apply to your situation, and a qualified Hollywood sex abuse attorney can walk you through every relevant protection available to you.

On the criminal side, the California Penal Code has statutes that establish serious child sex abuse penalties for convicted offenders, including lengthy prison terms, lifetime sex offender registration, and restrictions on contact with minors. While our firm focuses exclusively on civil representation, the existence of criminal charges or a prior conviction can significantly strengthen a civil case, helping with settlement negotiations.

Who Can Be Held Accountable?

Child sexual abuse rarely happens in isolation. In most cases, an institution or organization bears some degree of responsibility for failing to prevent, detect, or report the abuse. While past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, Attorney Anthony DeMarco has successfully pursued accountability against a wide range of defendants on behalf of Hollywood-area survivors, including:

Schools and School Districts

Teachers, administrators, coaches, and other school employees who abuse students can expose their employing school district to substantial civil liability. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and other regional districts have faced significant legal action for failing to act on known risks.

Religious Organizations

Clergy abuse remains one of the most pervasive and underreported forms of child sexual abuse. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of survivors abused by priests, ministers, and other clergy, and the institutions that concealed the misconduct.

Youth Programs, Camps, and Clubs

Summer camps, sports leagues, scouting organizations, daycare centers, and youth clubs all have a duty to protect the children in their care. When they fail, through negligent hiring, inadequate supervision, or deliberate concealment, they can be held civilly liable.

Law Enforcement and Government Agencies

Our firm secured a landmark settlement with the City of Santa Monica following the sexual abuse of minors by a police department employee, which is one of the largest such recoveries in California history.

Why Families in Hollywood Hire a Child Sex Abuse Lawyer

Families often wonder whether filing a civil claim is the right step, especially when a criminal case is already underway. The answer is almost always yes. A criminal prosecution is pursued by the government, a civil claim is brought by you and your family, and it can result in direct financial compensation to help cover therapy, medical care, lost earning potential, and the profound pain and suffering caused by the abuse.

About DeMarco Law Firm

DeMarco Law Firm is a Southern California firm dedicated exclusively to representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Led by Anthony DeMarco, a highly experienced child molestation lawyer, the firm combines decades of focused legal experience with a national network of professionals committed to uncovering the truth and holding people and institutions accountable.

FAQs

What Qualifies as Child Sex Abuse Under California Law?

Child sex abuse is any sexual activity that involves a minor. This can include molestation, exploitation, or exposure to inappropriate sexual conduct. California penal code outlines that minors cannot legally consent to sexual activity with adults, regardless of the circumstances or whether the adult believes the child was willing.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse in California?

In California, the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse depends on when the incident happened. For abuse happening on or after January 1, 2024, the civil statute of limitations has been completely eliminated. This means that survivors can file a claim at any time. For incidents before 2024, survivors generally have until their 40th birthday or five years from the discovery of the incident to file.

Does My Child Have to Testify in Court?

In California, children usually have to participate in any legal proceedings, but the law provides protections to minimize the trauma that testifying may cause. A child may technically need to testify, but the California Penal Code allows for alternatives, such as two-way closed-circuit television or recorded preliminary hearings, if testifying in open court would cause substantial emotional distress.

Judges can also make the decision to close the courtroom to the public, remove their judicial robes, and allow support people to accompany the child.

What Compensation Is Available in Child Sex Abuse Cases?

In California, survivors of child sexual abuse can pursue compensation through civil claims. Available damages are categorized into economic losses that include medical bills, therapy costs, and lost future earning capacity, and non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. These financial resources are designed to support a survivor’s lifelong healing journey and to hold responsible parties accountable for their actions.

Your Next Steps

Taking the first step to hire a child sex abuse lawyer can feel overwhelming. We make the process as simple and private as possible. When you contact our office, you speak directly with a compassionate member of our team (including a survivor advocate) who can listen to your story without judgment. Everything you share is held in the strictest confidence.

To schedule a consultation with a Hollywood child sex abuse attorney, contact DeMarco Law Firm.

Hollywood, CA Child Sex Abuse Legal Resources

• Warning Signs of Child Sexual Abuse
• Delayed Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse in California