Family and Foster Care Sexual Abuse

Family and Foster Care Sexual Abuse Survivors

If you have survived physical or sexual abuse in foster care, a group home, or even your own family home, your life has probably been affected in many ways. Almost everything about you may have suffered—your education, your relationships, and your career may have all been hurt by your past abuse.

Foster parents and care workers are figures of trust and authority, and when that trust is destroyed, you may feel helpless. Survivors of foster child abuse or familial sexual abuse often live their whole lives not understanding where the pain comes from; why they haven't accomplished much with their lives; why they keep turning to drugs or alcohol. Many people come to a realization, often well into adulthood, that the pain they've had their whole lives is rooted in sexual child abuse by parents, foster parents or care workers in the past.

Sometimes, exploring the possibility of taking action against the abuser(s) is an important part of the healing process. Whether or not you ultimately decide to sue the perpetrator(s) is your choice. We help give you the information you need to make the choice that's right for you.

If you were sexually abused by a foster parent, parent or care worker, you may have a claim against the person who assaulted you, or against other people who can be found responsible. Our sexual assault team in Toronto can help you.