Finding out that your child has sexually molested another child has got to be one of the worst experiences a parent can endure. And when the crime is sexual in nature, and perhaps has been going on for some time, it’s devastating. Over the years we’ve represented a number of families who’ve experienced this tragedy, and it’s never easy. Not for them, not for their kids, and not for us. 

However, while the pain and fear and humiliation are very real, you aren’t alone, and you’re not without choices. There are families in Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Livonia that have all had to deal with this. It’s tough, but it’s not impossible. There are several things you can do to help your child during this difficult time. So what do you do if you discover your child has molested or sexually assaulted another child? Let’s start with some facts.

Your child needs help.

Let’s start by acknowledging the fact that inappropriate sexual behaviors are usually a symptom of a deeper issue, and a child who acts out these behaviors needs help to address their problems. Mental health professionals would recommend that, as soon as possible, you get your child into therapy. There are some highly recommended therapists in the East Lansing, Novi, and Frankenmuth areas. However, be warned that these counselors are mandated reporters! That means that Michigan law requires that they report suspicions that another child had been abused to the authorities. In short, if a mandated reporter learns that your child has molested or sexually assaulted another kid, they have to rat your kid out. Worried? You should be. 

Be sure to confer with an experienced sex assault defense attorney BEFORE you select a therapist or counsellor to meet with your child to address sexual problem behaviors. Children can be taught to develop new, healthy sexual behaviors, but only with professional help. The sooner you get them the help they need, the better off they’ll be in the long run. At the same time, we don’t want your child (or you) to come under the scrutiny of Children’s Protective Services or law enforcement. It’s a delicate balance here, but we’ve done this many times. 

Your child needs a safety plan

Safety planning is extremely important, especially when other kids are at risk. Your child may be very sorry for what they’ve done. They may have promised that it will never happen again. However, the truth is, you still need to ensure that other children are safe around your child while they are learning new behaviors and addressing the roots of their past ones. We know families in Brighton, Battle Creek and Ann Arbor who’ve had to deal with this, and it is very tough. Decades of experience with this have shown us the best ways to move forward in these very delicate situations involving sex assault accusations. 

Make sure your child is never left alone with another child, and never in a place where they can be out of sight of a responsible adult while they’re with other children. This means no playing with other kids behind closed doors, and no disappearing off to the basement or into another room unsupervised with another child. Until your child has learned to control their impulses, you need to keep them safe from themselves, and keep other children safe from them. 

Get the help your family needs to deal with this

Despite your best efforts, and all the love and support a parent can muster, sometimes children do inexplicable things and their parents are left wondering where it all went wrong. What could they have done differently to avoid this terrible outcome? The truth is, you could drive yourself crazy asking those kinds of questions, and never figure out the answers. But there is something you can do now that will help. You can call The Kronzek Firm at 866 766 5245.

Sadly, there may be legal fallout from this situation, and you’re going to need to be prepared for that. Here at The Kronzek Firm, our skilled sex crime defense attorneys have been working hard to defend both adults and children against sex crime charges for decades. We know how hard this can be, and we know what needs to be done in each situation. So if you live in Lansing, Howell, or Grand Rapids, call 866 766 5245 today, and get the help your family needs. And don’t forget to join us next time for the rest of our pointers and how to address this situation. Our team is available 24 / 7 for emergencies or crisis intervention. We can be reached by calling our main office at 866 7NoJail.