Child Abuse Support and Civil Justice

Protecting Children, Standing With Families

Immediate help (for emergencies, call 911). You can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-422-4453, call or text. You can contact RAINN at 800-656-HOPE, phone or chat. If you need a quick exit from this page, use your browser back button or navigate to a neutral site, for example, a weather page, and clear your history when it is safe.

When a child is harmed, families need safety, answers, and support. Our role is to protect your child’s privacy, coordinate resources, and pursue civil accountability when the facts support a claim. Phoong Law serves California and Nevada. We provide confidential guidance, explain options in plain language, and build civil cases that can fund care and create change.

Our Mission and Approach

• Trauma informed advocacy that puts your child’s well being first

• Communication in clear, calm steps, no unnecessary interviews

• Privacy and dignity at every stage, with careful information handling

• Led by founder Anh Phoong’s commitment to empower survivors and support families

You will not be asked to retell painful events over and over. We gather records thoughtfully, coordinate with your medical and counseling teams when you consent, and speak for your family so you are not alone in difficult conversations.

What We Do For Children and Families, Civil Representation

We pursue civil accountability against individuals and institutions responsible for harm. Examples include child sexual abuse, assault, exploitation, negligent supervision, and failure to protect. Potential defendants can include individuals, schools, youth programs, sports organizations, faith based institutions, daycare providers, and camps. Every case is fact specific. Our goals are safety, privacy, and the resources that support healing.

Damages we pursue can include therapy and medical care, long term counseling, education support where appropriate, pain and suffering, and punitive damages where the law allows. Civil cases also encourage policy changes that help protect the next child.

Civil and Criminal, How These Paths Work Together

Criminal cases are brought by the state to seek punishment. Civil cases are brought by families to seek accountability and compensation. The standards of proof and timelines are different. These paths can run in parallel. We coordinate with law enforcement and child protective services when appropriate while protecting your child’s privacy within the limits of the law.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Your consultation with Phoong Law is confidential. We explain options that may shield a minor’s identity in court filings where allowed by law, for example by using initials. We limit who sees sensitive information, and we only contact medical or mental health providers with your consent. We advise you on safe communication methods and on what to avoid posting online.

Signs, First Steps, and Documentation

Every child responds differently. Common signs can include sudden changes in mood or behavior, fear without a clear cause, regression, sexualized behaviors that are not age appropriate, school or social withdrawal, or unexplained injuries. These signs are not proof by themselves. They are signals to slow down, create safety, and seek help.

First steps

1. Ensure immediate safety and medical care

2. Limit repeated questioning, short open ended questions are best, then let professionals handle detailed interviews

3. Save messages, emails, and any journal entries that may relate to the concern

4. Speak with your pediatrician or an appropriate medical provider

5. Contact law enforcement or your county child protective services when required or advised

Documentation to keep in your private file

• Dates, behaviors, symptoms, and anything your child shares in their own words

• Names of people you spoke with, and when

• Screenshots of messages and social posts, do not edit or add notes to the image files

• School emails, incident reports, program waivers, rosters, and any known camera locations

Avoid public social posts. Public posts can expose your child’s privacy and can complicate later evidence presentation.

Reporting and Safety Pathways

Some reports are required by law. Teachers, doctors, counselors, and other professionals are mandated reporters. Families can also make a report directly. If you are unsure, we will explain the pros and cons, then connect you with child protective services or a child advocacy center as appropriate. Safety planning can include medical evaluation, counseling referrals, no contact directives, and school or program changes.

Evidence Preservation

Evidence disappears quickly. We help you preserve it without re traumatizing your child.

• Preserve devices and messages, do not delete or edit

• Save app chat histories and cloud backups when possible

• Keep any relevant clothing or items in a clean paper bag, not plastic, and label the bag with the date

• Photograph relevant locations and save a simple diagram if it helps you remember the layout

• Keep a contact list for institutions, school administrators, coaches, program directors

• We issue preservation and notice letters to individuals and institutions so that emails, logs, and videos are not destroyed

Timelines and Eligibility

Minors often have special timelines. There can be extensions or lookback windows. The specifics vary by state and by fact pattern. Some deadlines run from the time the child turns eighteen, others from the time of discovery. Because timing is critical, we evaluate deadlines at the start of your case and keep you informed as the case progresses. Speak with a lawyer promptly to protect your child’s rights.

Our Process, Step by Step

1. Free, confidential consultation. We listen, answer questions, and explain possible paths.

2. Safety and care referrals. We can help you connect with medical providers, child advocacy centers, and therapists.

3. Evidence plan. We collect records and communications without unnecessary interviews, then secure institutional evidence through proper requests.

4. Liability and coverage analysis. We identify responsible individuals and institutions, then map available insurance and assets.

5. Legal strategy. We pursue a fair resolution through negotiation where possible, and litigation when needed.

6. Privacy guidance. We keep sensitive information as private as the law allows.

7. Plain language updates. You will receive regular updates and clear explanations.

8. Post resolution support. We help coordinate next steps so funds are directed to care and stability.

Resources For Families

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 800-422-4453, call or text, 24 or 7, confidential

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), 800-656-HOPE, phone or chat, confidential

• California

  • County child protective services offices, local reporting and investigation

  • California victim assistance programs, financial help for counseling and related needs, eligibility rules apply

  • WEAVE (Sacramento), crisis intervention, shelter, counseling, and legal support

  • My Sister’s House (Sacramento), culturally responsive services for Asian and Pacific Islander and other underserved women and children

• Nevada

  • County child protective services offices, local reporting and investigation

  • Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, statewide resources and referrals

  • The Shade Tree (Las Vegas), shelter and supportive services for women and children

Ask us for a tailored list in your city. We will connect you with the right programs and keep your family’s privacy in mind.

For Teens

Your safety matters. If you are in danger, call 911. You can call or text the Childhelp Hotline at 800-422-4453. You can use RAINN chat if you prefer to type. If you want to understand what a civil lawyer does for families, we can explain it in simple steps. Ask a trusted adult, for example a parent, guardian, teacher, counselor, or coach, to contact Phoong Law at 866-GOT-PAIN. If you contact us yourself, tell us the best safe way to reply.

Tips for device safety

• Use a device that only you can access when possible

• Clear your browser history when it is safe

• Use a neutral site for a quick exit, for example, a weather page, if you need to leave a page in a hurry

FAQs

Do we have to report to law enforcement or child protective services
Some professionals must report by law. Families often choose to report as part of a safety plan. We explain your options and help you make an informed choice.

Can we pursue a civil case if there is no criminal conviction
Yes. The civil standard of proof is different. Many civil cases move forward regardless of a criminal outcome.

How is my child’s identity protected
Courts and rules vary. Options can include using initials for minors in filings and sealing certain records. We explain what is available for your case and request the strongest protections the law allows.

What compensation is available
Compensation can help pay for therapy and medical care, support education needs where appropriate, and address pain and suffering. Punitive damages can be available when the law allows. Every case is different.

How long will a case take
Timelines vary by facts, defendants, and court calendars. We push for efficient resolutions without sacrificing thorough preparation.

Talk it through with us

If you are worried about a child, you do not have to figure it out alone. Start with a private conversation, no cost, no pressure. We will listen, explain your choices, and help you plan the next safe step.

• Call 866-GOT-PAIN

• Ask for a safe time to call back

• Or contact us online for a confidential message

If you are a teacher, coach, or counselor, we can walk you through reporting duties and privacy options. If you are a teen reading this, you can ask a trusted adult to contact us for you.