Coming forward with serious accusations against a family member is not easy, especially for a child. Many children go through harrowing experiences of sexual abuse at the hands of family members, and it can be years or even decades before they feel that they can come forward about the abuse they endured. When they do, it is important that they are treated with sensitivity and given information about their legal options.
It was recently reported that one man in New Mexico was arrested due to allegations of sexual abuse against a child. Though the abuse was reported as being against a family member, the exact relationship between the 46-year-old man and the young girl was unclear. Nonetheless, the girl reportedly told her mother than the abuse had been going on since 2016 when she was 8 years old.
It was noted that public records regarding the case were not yet accessible at the time of the report. Information provided indicated that the man was taken into custody and is currently facing the following charges:
- Criminal sexual contact of a minor
- Criminal sexual penetration of a child under 13
- Bribery of a witness
The stress, anxiety and fear that this young girl likely felt over the years is unimaginable. Now that she has come forward with the allegations of sexual abuse against this New Mexico man, the hope is that she can find some kind of justice and closure. As the case moves forward, the victim and her family may want to ensure that they understand their legal rights and options and have compassionate support throughout.
