As instances of sexual abuse and assault in the Evergreen State have become more prevalent in recent months, Seattle attorney Chris Davis implores victims of these crimes to come forward with potential claims in order to hold these perpetrators responsible for their actions.
There has been a rising focus on the identification and prosecution of sexual predators and perpetrators of sexual abuse in the United States, particularly since the emergence of the Penn State University child sexual abuse scandal. But experts in the field continue to insist that instances of sexual abuse are, generally speaking, underreported and as a result the criminals responsible are rarely held accountable.
In fact, a 2004 report for the U.S. Department of Education claims that as little as six percent of all child sexual abuse cases in public schools are reported to authorities. The report also showed that when teachers are caught, they rarely face repercussions and the investigation is often swept under the rug.
Chris Davis, a decorated attorney at the Davis Law Group in Seattle, says he hopes the recent events and increased awareness about sexual abuse will lead to more victims coming forward.
“Studies show us that the degree of emotional and physical trauma these children experience is directly related to their reluctance to come forward about the abuse,” says Davis, who has represented numerous child injury victims throughout his career. “However, if the abuse is never reported then the offender will never be held accountable.”
According to Charol Shakeshaft, an education professor at Virginia Commonwealth University who studies sexual abuse and the author of the Department of Education study, one of every 10 students eventually becomes a target of sexual misconduct, ranging from verbal harassment to rape.
For Davis, those odds illustrate an even greater need for sexual abuse victims to come forward and hold wrongdoers responsible for their actions.
“Coming forward about sexual abuse not only holds offenders responsible for their actions, but it also gives victims an opportunity to experience a sense of justice and move on with their lives,” Davis added.
As a public service to residents of Washington State, Davis has authored a series of informational books designed to better inform consumers about the personal injury legal process. As thousands of Washingtonians have requested the books over the years, Davis has expanded the books over an entire series, called the Washington Accident Books.
For a limited time, Davis is offering residents of Washington State a free copy of any of the Washington Accident Books. Anyone interested in ordering or learning more about the books should visit www.WashingtonAccidentBooks.com or call the Davis Law Group at 206-727-4000.
About Chris Davis
Christopher M. Davis, founder of the Davis Law Group, has been a licensed attorney in the state of Washington since 1993. He has tried dozens of personal injury cases to verdict and has successfully handled and resolved hundreds of accident claims. He has been a Washington Super Lawyer' for seven years in a row for his expertise and success in litigating personal injury claims. You can learn more about the firm by visiting: http://www.DavisLawGroupSeattle.com.