Omegle, a free website that allowed users to video chat anonymously, faced extensive challenges for being a haven for pedophiles and sexual abusers. The popular site randomly matched users in a video chat, but it did not restrict the matching based on age. Because of this, the website has been sued for exposing children to sexual predators.
If you believe that you or your child were abused, groomed, exploited, or in any way violated on Omegle, contact an Omegle Sexual Abuse Claims Lawyer at Dolman Law Group today for an immediate discussion about your case. We can file an Omegle sexual abuse claim on your behalf to help you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
What Is Omegle?
Omegle was a free website that allowed users to chat anonymously without registering. Users could decide whether they want to chat using text or video (video was their main product), and then they were randomly matched with another person. The two users were then immediately shown each others' live videos. A user could stay and chat, or they could click a button that immediately paired them with a new person.
The popular site had a “monitored” and “unmonitored” section. The latter was an “adults only” section that allowed nudity. Users were required by the website's terms to be 18 or older. However, there was no real mechanism to verify age.
Most people familiar with the website know it as a place where you could find unpredictable and shocking content. After all, its tagline was “Talk to Strangers”.
Why Is Omegle Making Headlines?
According to Semrush, Omegle nearly doubled its monthly visitors after the Covid pandemic began. In January 2020, the site had 34 million visits a month. In January 2021, that number had jumped to 65 million. One month even reported 70 million visitors.
One demographic that contributed to this rise is middle school-aged children. The website's popularity with young teens grew, in part because of the skyrocketing popularity of TikTok and a trend where people share their Omegle video chats on the app. This is where the controversy exists.
The website allowed users aged 13 and older to use the site, but it did not require a user to enter their age or even their name. There were also no systems in place to prevent children who were using the site from being matched with adults with sinister intentions.
According to a BBC article, adults, teens, and children were using the website to expose themself on video. During only 2 hours of investigation, the BBC reporter claims they were linked with multiple nude children.
What Is Being Done About Predators and Pedophiles on Omegle?
In addition to being a place where pedophiles and naive children expose themself, Omegle also gained a reputation for being a place where sexual predators and sex traffickers could find victims. One story that surfaced, thanks to a civil lawsuit, is that of 11-year-old victim “A.M.”
In 2014, A.M. was on Omegle when she was paired with 30-year-old Ryan Scott Fordyce. They continued to communicate for three years, during which time Fordyce coerced A.M. into recording herself masturbating, performing for his friends, and using the site to recruit other kids for him to abuse.
When asked for a response from Omegle itself, there isn't much to report. The founder of Omegle, Leif K Brooks, does not publicly talk about Omegle or any of the above claims very often. However, he did tell the BBC that the site was moderated and that his team blocked users who “appear to be under 13”. He also said that Omegle had expanded monitoring efforts in 2020.
As a result of the many lawsuits filed against Omegle, and especially based on the lawsuit brought by A.M., Brooks and his company settled A.M.'s claim for an undisclosed amount. Three days later, the Omegle platform was shut down.
Marsha's Law and What Can Be Done When a Child Is a Victim
Police forces and special task units are obtaining more access to online predators and websites like Omegle. Because of this, arrests are being made, sting operations are in use, and criminals are being held accountable. But what about the victims and their families? What are they supposed to do after their child has been victimized online?
Luckily, the law allows these victims to seek compensation for physical and emotional injuries so that they can get the medical and counseling help they need. Using the civil court system, victims and their families can sue for financial compensation to pay for any damages that they suffered. One law that helps victims greatly in this effort is called Marsha's Law.
Marsha's Law (18 U.S. Code § 2255) is a federal law that gives victims of child abuse the right to seek personal injury damages from anyone who produces, distributes, or possesses their child sex abuse images. The point of Marsha's Law is to reduce obstacles that prevent victims from getting financial compensation.
Filing Suit Under Marsha's Law
To file a successful civil lawsuit, the victim's attorney must first establish that the defendant committed a federal “child pornography” or child exploitation crime and that it has caused the victim to suffer personal injury as a result. This can easily be done if the defendant has a criminal conviction. If the defendant was not convicted of a crime, Marsha's Law outlines a way that a victim can still file a civil lawsuit against them.
Here are some important points in Marsha's Law:
- Victims can file a lawsuit up to 10 years after they turn 18 or 10 years after they reasonably discover the “violation” or “injury” that forms the basis for the claim.
- Victims can seek $150,000 in damages even if the actual damage is less than that amount, as long as the tort is proven.
- The statute also allows victims to seek punitive damages and compensation for other reasonable litigation costs.
Pain and Suffering Damages You Can Claim as Part of Your Lawsuit
As part of the lawsuit you file under Marsha's Law, you can include a request for damages related to pain and suffering. Many people believe pain and suffering relate to physical (bodily) damage, but this is not necessarily true. Pain and suffering can also be the emotional damage your child has suffered as a result of using the Omegle website
In a case like this, you may also be entitled to something known as “punitive damages.” The point of punitive damages is to punish the accused for their actions to dissuade them from doing something similar in the future. A case against the Omegle website would certainly qualify for punitive damages under the law.
Sexual Abuse Can Cause Long-Term Damage
Sexual abuse can cause long-term damage to someone of any age, especially children. Children who have suffered from this type of trauma will display a variety of behavioral reactions. This could include withdrawn behavior, nightmares, sleeping difficulties, anxiety, depression, or angry outbursts.
Research indicates that sexual abuse can have severe negative impacts on someone's physical and mental health. If someone was sexually abused and did not receive adequate support, it is more likely they will have long-term effects. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been associated with those who have been sexually abused.
Interventions for Those Who Have Suffered From Sexual Abuse
Effective treatments can be crucial to lowering the severity of the long-term effects sexual abuse causes. When choosing to intervene, look for the following in a program:
- The type of treatment is well described in a treatment manual or book. These manuals need to provide detailed therapist training and have procedures in place to ensure the therapists are practicing these interventions properly.
- The interventions need to be developmentally appropriate for the age of the victim going through the treatment program.
- There are reliable and appropriate instruments to assess the outcomes of the treatment.
The cost of treatments and interventions for sexual abuse victims can be expensive. Depending on the type and length of time you need treatments, the costs can add up and lead to financial hardships. The abuser should have to pay for the damage they caused you or your child. An Omegle sexual abuse claim can help you and your family recover the justice you need.
How a Lawyer Can Assist You in Your Omegle Lawsuit
Consulting with a lawyer can be a valuable tool in an Omegle lawsuit. For one thing, a lawyer can review your case to ensure you are filing for every damage to which you are entitled and that you leave no stone unturned. Further, a lawyer well-versed in cases such as these can best guide you on what your next steps should be and how similar cases in the past have been resolved.
While there is no “average” settlement in a case like this, our Omegle sexual abuse attorneys will strive to get the maximum damages possible for you and your child.
How Dolman Law Group Is Different From Other Law Firms
At our firm, we understand our clients may have trauma because of incidents that have occurred on Omegle. We will advocate for our clients so they can be compensated for the pain and suffering they have gone through.
Our attorneys get big firm results while still giving our clients the attention a small firm allows. If you choose our firm for an Omegle sexual abuse claim, you can expect the following:
- Free consultations: During the consultation, we want to hear what happened and the evidence you have to support your claim. We will give you an honest assessment of your claim and determine if we will move forward. Any questions you have will be answered during this meeting.
- 24/7 support: If you have an immediate need, we have attorneys available 24/7 to answer your questions or give you status updates on your case.
- Extensive resources: We have the financial resources to fight against some of the largest companies. Our attorneys are known for aggressively advocating for clients to reach fair settlements. If we are unable to reach a fair settlement, we are prepared to fight for you in a trial.
Our goal is to maximize the compensation you receive and never settle for less than you deserve. We will work tirelessly to make sure your claim is given the care and attention needed to recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Team About Your Family's Omegle Sexual Abuse Claim
If your child or teen was abused, groomed, exploited, or in any way violated on Omegle, contact Dolman Law Group today. We are an experienced, award-winning team of lawyers with extensive experience protecting clients from some of the biggest companies in the world.
Dolman Law Group has fought against companies like 3M, Johnson & Johnson, Geico, Unilever, Pfizer, and many more. To take on such large companies, a law firm needs extensive resources and experience – we have both.
We understand that sexual abuse cases are sensitive, and as such, we strive to be compassionate, caring and focused on our client's needs. Let us prove that to you. Give us a call today at (866) 826-1298 and speak to one of our attorneys about your case.