Children are affected by domestic violence in a number of ways, regardless of whether they are the direct recipients of the abuse or witness abuse between their parents. While it may not be openly discussed, child abuse occurs with as much frequency in LGBT families as it does within heterosexual households and has the same devastating effects on children. Children who are raised in homes where incidents of domestic violence are commonplace have more emotional, physical and psychological problems than children who are raised in homes that are violence-free. As a result, these young victims require supportive, nurturing environments in which they can be assured that the abuse inflicted on them isn’t their fault and where they can be free to express themselves without fear.

California offers classes, services, protection and other resources for victims of child abuse and young victims who witness other acts of intimate partner abuse in their home. While dealing with a child who has been victimized can be overwhelming, the compassionate, GLBT supportive attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm can help. They have access to gay-friendly resources for children and their parents and will give referrals for these resources that meet the individual needs of each family.

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD is a wonderful resource for a parent trying to help his or her abused child, for an abused child or for a child at risk of being abused to seek guidance. The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by trained operators. Childhelp offers referrals to local community resources, crisis intervention, literature and information on emergency protection issues. They offer a variety of programs, including treatment at live-in facilities, which provide therapy, medical care and on-site schooling for severely abused children. The goal of these programs (and of Childhelp in general) is to provide a nurturing environment in which self-esteem and trust can be rediscovered in a child who has been victimized by child abuse and/or other forms of domestic violence.

Many resources relating to child abuse can be readily accessed on-line and provide information on how to recognize abuse, where and how to report abuse, instructions on how to obtain emergency protective orders and referrals to other local services, depending on where one resides.

Children’s courts are another great place to seek help. They have access to a host of local resources and should be able to recommend services that will meet the needs of same sex families who have been affected by child abuse. In addition, many of these courts have Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) who may be able to direct parents and their children to classes or group counseling sessions to help them feel that they’re not alone. They may be able to further provide referrals to therapists who specialize in working with abused children and to other organizations that will be sensitive to the special issues and concerns that face GLBT families who have been affected by child abuse.

If a parent or anyone else suspects that a child may be suffering from abuse, either directly or indirectly, that adult must take action. Contacting a California domestic violence lawyer is a good place to start to find out what legal and/or criminal remedies are available. The trusted attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm take the time to sit down and really listen to their clients’ questions and concerns, treating each with the utmost compassion and respect. They specialize in same sex domestic violence issues, which includes the child abuse and endangerment that takes place within a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender parent household, and, as a result, they have the experience and training to help an individual or family successfully tackle any D.V. related problem. When things are at their worst, the attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm are at their best! For legal advice about a child abuse charge or for referrals to help a LGBT family deal with its repercussions, contact them today for a free consultation.