ANDREOZZI + FOOTE
FOSTER CARE SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYER
Reviewed by:
Benjamin D. Andreozzi, Esq.
- Last Updated: August 26, 2025
On This Page
- Why Survivors and Families Trust Our Attorneys for Foster Care Abuse Cases
- The Lasting Impact of Foster Care Sexual Abuse in the United States
- The Hidden Crisis Within Short-Stay Foster Care
- What Types Of Abuse Occur In Foster Care?
- The Legal Landscape for Foster Care Abuse Cases
- Signs Foster Care Abuse Occurred
- Children In Foster Care Have Rights
- How Our Firm Supports Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- Speak With a Foster Care Abuse Attorney Today
Foster care is supposed to protect children from unsafe homes, but far too often, it exposes them to new trauma. Sexual abuse in foster homes, group facilities, and other child welfare placements is a heartbreaking reality that has impacted countless vulnerable children across the country.
At Andreozzi + Foote, our child care sexual abuse lawyers help survivors and their families seek justice. We hold foster care agencies and institutions accountable for the harm they allowed or caused. With decades of experience in high-profile child sexual abuse cases, we provide trauma-informed, compassionate legal support for those navigating these painful situations.
Why Survivors and Families Trust Our Attorneys for Foster Care Abuse Cases
When a child experiences harm in foster care, the trauma is devastating. The thought of pursuing justice through the legal system might seem impossible. Our firm is nationally recognized for representing survivors in some of the most sensitive and complex sexual abuse cases. Our attorneys combine unwavering advocacy with trauma-informed care for every client. We understand the deep and lasting impact of foster care sexual abuse, and we work tirelessly to hold both private agencies and government entities accountable.
With deep experience in institutional abuse cases, we handle claims involving children in foster care and residential placements. Our compassionate approach focuses on survivors and respects the emotional toll this trauma takes on families. Our firm has the resources and legal skills to investigate wrongdoing and pursue justice thoroughly, even when that means standing up to powerful government agencies or national organizations.
The Lasting Impact of Foster Care Sexual Abuse in the United States
Children removed from abusive homes are already carrying deep emotional wounds. When the foster care system— which is meant to protect them—further harms them, it compounds the trauma. Instead of finding safety and security, many are exposed to further abuse in foster homes, group facilities, or institutions that failed to properly screen, supervise, or intervene.
The betrayal by trusted adults and broken systems leaves lasting scars. Many survivors blame themselves, fear retaliation, or carry overwhelming shame, causing them to stay silent well into adulthood. For too long, these stories went unheard.
As awareness grows and laws evolve, society is no longer willing to ignore and overlook abuse within the foster care system. Accountability matters, and institutions and individuals who allowed or committed harm must be held responsible through the justice system.
In many states, legal reforms have made it easier for survivors to take action, even years after the abuse occurred. For those who’ve carried this trauma in silence, the opportunity to come forward can be a powerful step toward healing and reclaiming control over their story.
The Hidden Crisis Within Short-Stay Foster Care
Children placed in short-term foster care are especially vulnerable. In the urgency to find temporary housing, organizations and institutions may insufficiently screen foster families, putting children at risk for abuse. Frequent moves and instability only deepen a child’s trauma and make them less likely to speak. These brief placements can have lasting consequences when safety is overlooked.
What Types Of Abuse Occur In Foster Care?
Being isolated from parents, other relatives, school friends, and everything they were familiar with at home can be hard enough for children.
Having to contend with the following forms of abuse in care homes makes the situation even more heartbreaking.
1. Physical Abuse
Physical abuse includes striking with an object, punching, burning with cigarettes, and worse. Sometimes, the abuse is inflicted by the foster parents or their own children.
2. Sexual Abuse & Assault
Foster children are sometimes sexually molested by a new parent or by the child of the new parents. Sometimes, the offenders have a history of inflicting abuse but remain on the authorized list of care homes.
One recent case in New York state involved a foster parent who had provided care for 106 boys before he was stopped, despite numerous complaints being filed.
3. Neglect
Neglect may be the reason for a child’s removal from their family home in the first place. A parent may have failed to look after the child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, and health.
To then suffer neglect in foster care compounds the trauma caused to a child. Any foster home that does not provide adequate supervision or look after the basic needs of a child needs to be held to account.
The Legal Landscape for Foster Care Abuse Cases
The laws surrounding foster care sexual abuse claims have evolved in recent years, giving survivors more opportunities to seek justice. In many states, legal reforms have extended the time limits for childhood sexual abuse survivors to file claims, recognizing that it often takes years, or even decades, for victims to come forward.
The type of claim can depend on where the abuse occurred. Different legal standards may apply if the abuse took place in a state-run foster care program versus a privately operated group home or facility. In addition, when caseworkers or agencies fail to meet their mandatory reporting obligations, those violations can become powerful evidence that strengthens a survivor’s case.
Signs Foster Care Abuse Occurred
Recognizing foster child sexual abuse is not always straightforward. Many survivors don’t fully connect their experiences until years later, when the long-term effects become clearer. During placement, children may show sudden behavioral changes that signal something harmful has occurred.
Behavioral changes in children include:
- Sudden withdrawal
- Aggression
- Fear of certain adults
- Nightmares
- Regression in behavior
Physical changes in children include:
- Unexplained injuries
- Recurring pain
- Medical issues without a clear cause
Long-term emotion effects include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Difficulty trusting others
- Struggles with relationships
- Ongoing feelings of shame and self-blame
Because shame, confusion, and silence are common, many survivors don’t initially realize their experiences may be legally actionable. Recognizing these signs is an important step in helping survivors and families understand their rights and seek justice for the harm endured.
Children In Foster Care Have Rights
A child in foster care has the same rights as other children. These include the right to live in a safe and secure environment free from danger or harm.
So, if a complaint of foster care abuse is made and enough evidence is discovered, the criminal justice system must prosecute the offender. In addition, the civil justice system will compensate the victim for their losses.
By doing this, we can hope to address the serious historical—and current—problems of institutional child abuse in the U.S.
Holding those accused of foster care abuse to account can help the victims move on with their lives.
Rest assured that if you contact the lawyers at Andreozzi & Foote, all the information you provide, including your identity, will be treated confidentially.
Start with a free and confidential consultation with a foster care abuse attorney.
How Our Firm Supports Survivors of Sexual Abuse
At Andreozzi + Foote, our attorneys handle foster care sexual abuse cases with both legal precision and compassion. We investigate complex claims against government agencies, foster families, and group homes while always treating survivors with sensitivity and confidentiality.
Survivors may be entitled to compensation for therapy, medical care, emotional suffering, and lost opportunities. To support healing, we often collaborate with therapeutic professionals while pursuing justice in the courtroom.
Holding institutions accountable is central to our mission. It not only provides justice for survivors but also helps prevent future abuse. The impact of our work is reflected in client testimonials that speak to our compassion, professionalism, and life-changing results.
Speak With a Foster Care Abuse Attorney Today
If you or someone you love has suffered abuse in foster care, you don’t have to face this alone.
Call (866) 311-8640 today or contact us online for a confidential consultation and compassionate guidance to help you understand your rights and take the next step toward justice.
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Empowering Survivors and Delivering Justice Nationwide
We understand the courage it takes to reach out for help, and we are here to listen. At Andreozzi + Foote, our trauma-informed attorneys are dedicated to providing compassionate, confidential support every step of the way. With extensive experience in advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, we are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where your voice is heard and your rights are fiercely protected. Contact us today for a free, in-depth consultation and take the first step toward justice.