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Child Sexual Abuse

If you are a victim of child sexual abuse, we want to help.

"We are honored to represent those brave victims who are courageous enough to stand up to their perpetrators in court and say, 'No more!'"

Read our Should I sue my perpetrator" page, then seek legal advice NOW!

Request a FREE consultation or use the form below to contact one of our qualified attorneys specializing in child sexual abuse.

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For more than 20 years, the attorneys at Cartwright, Scruggs, Fulton and Walther in Santa Cruz, California have assisted hundreds of survivors of childhood sexual abuse in holding their perpetrators accountable. In the mid 1980s, when child sexual abuse was still very much a cultural "secret," we began representing adult survivors who were brave enough to come forward to tell their stories of incest, molestation and the horrific, traumatic consequences of child sexual abuse.

I have great admiration for Dana Scruggs' work on behalf of survivors of child sexual abuse. I have recommended him many times for his dedication, empathy, good sense, and excellence. We are fortunate to have him in our community."
   Ellen Bass, author "Courage to Heal"

Dana Scruggs, one of the attorneys here at CSF&W, was part of a small group of California attorneys who worked to encourage the California Legislature to extend the statute of limitations so that adult survivors could sue their perpetrators and collect the money damages they needed to obtain appropriate therapy and counseling. In addition, Mr. Scruggs has been nationally recognized and recommended as a legal resource by publications such as “The Courage to Heal–A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse” and “Shifting the Burden of Truth—Suing Child Sexual Abusers, a Legal Guide for Survivors and Their Supporters.”

Our History of Success

The attorneys at CSF&W have successfully represented clients of all ages in cases involving incest, pedophilia, sexual predators, sexual assault and battery, and sexual abuse by both strangers and those most trusted by their victims, including priests, pastors, ministers, teachers, day care workers, and leaders of various youth organizations. We have also assisted survivors in recovering damages from the entities who employ or allow these perpetrators to commit child sex abuse. These entities have included churches, schools, day care centers, and youth organizations.

Please read our advice on whether or not you should sue your perpetrator.

Join with CSF&W in Saying 'No More!'

We have been privileged to assist hundreds of victims of child sexual abuse in a variety of ways, including referrals to appropriate health care providers, law enforcement agencies, other reporting agencies, and by investigating and gathering evidence so that survivors’ claims could be prosecuted against the perpetrators. While awareness of the magnitude of the problem of childhood sexual abuse is still not universally accepted, we are extremely proud to have played a role in the process of raising consciousness about the issue, and extremely honored to have represented many brave girls, boys, women and men who were courageous and able enough to stand up to their perpetrators in a court of law and declare –  No more!

Child Sexual Abuse Web Resources

• Survivors Healing Center
  A non-profit organization providing education, information, referrals, high quality services and support to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and to their supporters. Located in Santa Cruz, California.
• Megans Law
  California Department of Justice's Internet web site, which lists designated registered sex offenders in California.
• Kidpower
  Library of safety and self defense articles
  
• California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board
  Information on victim compensation, including eligibility requirements, covered crimes, and specifics on how to file a claim.
  
• Klaas Kids Foundation
  Provides information on sex offenders including Internet access to maps showing the location of registered sex offenders in California.
  
• Office of the Attorney General, State of California, Department of Justice
  Get information here on protecting yourself and your family from child molesters, as well as information on registered sex offenders.

For cases related to child sexual abuse we serve the state of California including, but not limited to, the greater bay area of Santa Clara County, San Francisco County, and San Mateo County. For all other personal injury cases, CSF&W personal injury attorneys serve the greater Santa Cruz County areas including the cities and towns of Capitola, Aptos, Soquel, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Felton, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Bonny Doon, Brookdale, Davenport, Freedom, Watsonville, and Corralitos; Monterey County and it's cities Salinas, Castroville, Carmel, Monterey, Marina, Seaside, Moss Landing, and Big Sur; and San Benito County including Hollister, Tres Pinos and San Juan Bautista.