Mike Bomberger Personal Injury Law Blog on Lawyers.com

The recent arrest of Miramonte Elementary schoolteacher, Mark Berndt, who was charged with 23 counts of committing lewd acts on children, has left many parents concerned for the safety of their children while under the supervision of another person. Although Berndt was pulled from the classroom as soon as school officials learned of a police investigation, he was not arrested until January 2011 – almost a year after the investigation begun. According to reports, Berndt was spoon-feeding students his semen during classroom hours. Berndt sometimes bound, gagged, and photographed his students while engaging in this horrific act.

Sadly, this is not the only case of children being sexually or physically abused in Los Angeles. According to the Childhelp.org, more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States. In 2009, an estimated 3.3 million child abuse reports and allegations were made involving approximately six million children, reports Childhelp.org. The most common types of child abuse are neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Some other notable statistics from Childhelp.org are:

• More than 90 percent of child abuse victims know their perpetrator in some way.
• More than five children die every day as a result of child abuse.
• Approximately 80 percent of children that tragically die from abuse are under the age of four.
• Abused teens are less likely to practice safe sex and 25 percent more likely to experience teen pregnancy.
• Approximately 30 percent of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children.  

Child abuse can occur within all levels of education, among all ethnicities, and at every socioeconomic level. In many cases, the perpetrator is not solely at-fault for the abuse. The negligence or carelessness of other parties, such as school administrators, church leaders, athletic directors, and foster care agencies, can enable the abuse to occur.  

If your child was the victim of sexual abuse do not hesitate to contact a Miramonte child molestation lawyer now. A reputable child abuse lawyer can help you hold the perpetrator accountable for their despicable actions. Oftentimes, legal action is the only way to ensure the abuse is stopped. Legal action can also help families collect compensation for the damages associated with child abuse, such as psychological therapy, medical bills, and emotional suffering.  See justice served; talk to a caring Los Angeles sexual abuse attorney today.