Thousands of children attend summer camps across the U.S. every year, but isolation and misplaced trust can create risks. While most camps are safe, abuse does happen, and parents must stay alert to subtle signs like withdrawal, fear of certain staff, or physical discomfort.
When abuse occurs, acting fast protects your child’s future. A structured response—medical care, legal steps, and therapy can make all the difference. If you want to proceed with legal action, skilled lawyers at Horowitz Law can help you.
This blog will walk you through the critical steps to safeguard your child’s recovery.
Stay Calm and Listen to Your Child
It’s natural to feel a rush of emotions if your child tells you something like this. However, staying as calm as possible is crucial. Your composure will help your child feel safer sharing their experience. Create a calm and quiet space where they feel comfortable talking.
Just listen to them without interrupting or asking too many questions. Let them tell you what happened in their way. It’s important to believe them and validate their feelings. Let them know that what happened is not their fault.
Ensure Immediate Safety and Medical Attention
First, get your child away from the camp if there’s any ongoing risk. Say it’s a “family emergency” to avoid tipping off staff. Head to a children’s hospital or clinic. Ask for a SANE exam (a special checkup that preserves evidence).
Nurses trained in these exams know how to be gentle. If the abuse just happened or the abuser has access to other kids, call 911 or child protective services right away.
Report the Abuse to the Camp and Authorities
After ensuring immediate safety and seeking medical help, reporting what happened is important. Start by demanding written documentation from the summer camp administration about the incident and their response.
Additionally, you must file a police report. Understand that in many places, there are mandatory reporting laws, which means certain professionals are required by law to report any suspicion of child abuse. Ensure that copies of all communication with the camp, medical reports, and any accounts from witnesses are kept.
Seek Professional Support for Your Child
Your child will need professional support to heal from this experience. Look for therapists who specialize in trauma and have experience working with children who have experienced sexual abuse.
Organizations like RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) can be a great resource for finding support and information. Your insurance provider may also have a list of qualified therapists in your network. Remember that your ongoing emotional support at home is vital for your child’s long-term healing.
Document Everything and Consider Legal Action
Keep detailed records of everything related to the situation. This includes dates, names of people involved, medical reports, and how the camp responded to your report. It’s also wise to consider seeking legal advice.
A lawyer can explain your options, including legal action against the camp or the person who caused harm. Be aware that there are time limits, called statutes of limitations, for filing certain legal claims.
Advocate for Prevention and Awareness
Ask camps these key questions before enrolling:
- Do you run background checks on all staff?
- What’s your policy on adult/child alone time?
- How do you handle abuse reports?
Use age-appropriate books to practice body safety talks. For teens, discuss grooming tactics abusers use. The American Camp Association verifies camps that meet over 300 safety standards—use their directory when researching options.
