If you are a young person who has been sexually abused, whether it happened before or after you entered the foster care system, you are not alone.

The number of children in foster care who are the victims of sexual abuse is staggering. In our experience, most people responsible for children in foster care do not have the information, skills or training necessary to respond to the needs of sexually abused children.

Our Child Sexual Abuse Evaluation and Education Project serves children in foster care who have been the victims of sexual abuse. Lawyers For Children has also written a groundbreaking handbook for young victims of sexual abuse, You Are Not Alone. Our ultimate objective is to educate the young people, foster parents and staff at every foster care agency in the State of New York about issues of child sexual abuse.

If you are being sexually abused or are being touched in a way that feels uncomfortable to you, tell a trusted adult, call the New York State Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-342-3270) or call 911 if you are in immediate danger.

You should also contact your LFC attorney and social worker, at info@lawyersforchildren.org or by calling 1 (800) 244-2540.