Sexual Assault Victims
If you were the victim of sexual assault, please do everything within your ability to remove yourself from any harmful environments and find a support network to help you through your situation.
If you are unable to reach out to family, friends, or peers for support – there are a number of groups and agencies (find below) that you can contact.
Although it can be difficult, try to report your assault as soon as possible.
It is important to initiate the criminal charging process against the assaulter.
By doing so, you may be preventing your assaulter from attempting to attack you or another individual.
If you are comfortable doing so, you can consider filing a civil sexual assault lawsuit against your assaulter after you have:
- Removed yourself from the harmful environment
- Reported the crime to authorities
- Found a support system to help you
Defining Sexual Assault
Sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the victim.
Unfortunately, sexual violence in the United States is more common than you might think.
This abhorrent type of crime affects people of all genders and ages.
Sexual assault defines a number of unwanted contact situations.
Some forms of sexual assault include:
- Fondling or unwanted sexual touching
- Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts
- Penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape
Sexual assault can and does happen to individuals who are in an intimate relationship.
This is a form of domestic violence.
What is Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse is any unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators:
- Using force
- Making threats
- Or taking advantage of victims who do not give consent
Sexual abuse can have devastating impacts on victims.
Immediate reactions include shock, fear, or disbelief.
Long-term implications may include anxiety, fear, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Understanding the emotions and normal responses that follow such a traumatic event can help you cope with your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors – and can help you on the path to recovery.
If you are a victim of sexual abuse, you should contact a sexual assault lawyer immediately after removing yourself from the environment where the abuse is taking place, if possible.
At TorHoerman Law, we offer free instant, no-obligation case consultation to any potential sexual assault victims.
We are available to answer any questions you might have about filing both criminal and civil sexual assault lawsuits, and what other legal options you may have.
Sexual Assault Statistics
Sexual violence affects hundreds of thousands of Americans each year.
Here are some sexual assault statistics that might shock you:
- Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, according to the latest RAINN data.
- 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of attempted or completed rape in her lifetime.
- 9 out of every 10 victims of rape are female.
- 55% of sexual assaults take place at or near the victim’s residence.
- On average, there are 433,648 victims of rape and sexual assault each year in the U.S.
- Females ages 16-19 are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of sexual assault.
- Approximately 3% of American men have experienced incomplete or completed sexual abuse.
- 94% of women who have been raped report experiencing symptoms of PTSD within the next two weeks after the crime.
Types of Sexual Assault Lawsuits
There are two different routes of legal action for sexual assault lawsuits.
There will either be a criminal lawsuit, a civil lawsuit, or both.
There are several differences between the two.
You should familiarize yourself with both types of sexual assault lawsuits and then discuss your best legal avenue with a sexual assault lawyer and the authorities.
The difference between the two (2) types of sexual assault lawsuits can be understood in the following way:
1. Criminal Sexual Assault Lawsuit
If criminal charges are filed, the state becomes responsible for holding the perpetrator accountable for their actions.
Criminal sexual assault lawsuits can lead to felony or misdemeanor charges as well as jail time.
However, this does not erase the option of pursuing a civil sexual assault lawsuit as well.
In a criminal case, the burden of proof is much higher than that of a civil lawsuit.
The prosecutor must prove the guilt of the attacker committing a crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
The victim is not heavily involved with the criminal lawsuit proceedings.
2. Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Civil lawsuits give more power to the plaintiff.
They allow you to decide whether the case goes to trial or if you are going to accept some sort of settlement.
Contrary to criminal cases, civil lawsuits do not focus on guilt.
A sexual assault lawyer will try to prove that the attacker is liable for any kind of loss or damages.
Liability is a focal point of most civil claims.
In civil lawsuits, sexual assault lawyers simply have to prove that the defendant is, more likely than not, the cause of any damages.
If you were the victim of any type of sexual assault – a sexual assault attorney from TorHoerman Law is here to help you.
Sexual Assault Victim Resources
There are a number of credible institutions, support groups, and victim networks dedicated to sexual assault victim support.
These are a few resources to help you find support:
What Should I Do If I Am a Victim of Sexual Abuse?
It is not easy to figure out what to do after a sexual assault.
Some sexual assault survivors say that reporting and seeking justice helped them recover and regain a sense of control over their lives.
Understanding how to report these traumatic experiences can help you feel more prepared.
Contact a sexual assault lawyer for more information regarding sexual assault victim resources and information about filing a sexual assault lawsuit.
In the meantime, if you are a victim of sexual abuse, follow the following four (4) steps:
1. Contact the Authorities
Dial 911 if you are in immediate danger.
Otherwise, you can call the direct line of your local police department or arrive at the station to report the assault in person.
If you do not feel comfortable going directly to the police, you can visit a medical center.
You can tell a medical professional that you would like to report the crime.
Additionally, you can choose to have a sexual assault forensic exam performed.
2. Remove Yourself from the Environment (If Possible)
Victims of sexual assault are not always in a position to leave a dangerous environment.
However, if you are able to get away from the area, you should do so immediately.
You should find somewhere safe to stay with family, friends, or any local support centers.
3. Seek Help
Some survivors find it helpful to speak to a counselor, therapist, or participate in a support group.
Seeking medical attention is also an important thing that victims can do to help themselves.
4. Contact a Sexual Assault Lawyer
After a sexual assault, you may not know what to do with yourself.
You may feel violated, hurt, confused, or overwhelmed – and rightly so.
TorHoerman Law is here to provide you with our undivided support through this rough time.
Our sexual assault law firm is well-versed in all the complexities of the legal system.
Let us take some stress off your hands and guide you in the right direction.
Hiring a Sexual Assault Lawyer
Finding the right attorney to represent you for a sexual assault lawsuit is a difficult task.
Every sexual assault lawyer wants to win compensation, but can they get the job done?
At TorHoerman Law we specialize in personal injury law, including intentional torts.
Our team of experienced lawyers has won more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
Furthermore, your sexual assault lawyer should have more than just compensation in mind.
TorHoerman Law fights for justice. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis.
This means that we do not receive any payments until you are appropriately compensated.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer to act as your sexual assault lawyer is a very important and sometimes difficult decision.
Be sure to ask your potential representatives as many questions as you deem necessary before making your choice.
Ask about their experience, the law firm’s litigation history, their expectations for the case, their pay structure, and any other questions you believe are important to your decision.
Filing a Sexual Assault Lawsuit
The civil lawsuit process can award you financial compensation that a criminal lawsuit cannot.
However, the civil process requires you to be more involved, so it is best to have an experienced sexual assault lawyer at your service.
Legal proceedings are very tedious and can an added unnecessary stressor to those who are already dealing with the trauma that comes along with sexual assault.
Your sexual assault lawyer will help you to gather any evidence that supports your claim.
Tangible evidence may include, but is not limited to, any:
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Photos
- Videos
Your attacker or attackers will hold liability for your suffering and losses – they are solely responsible for the damages that you incurred as a result of your attack.
Although we are unable to bring criminal charges against your attacker, we will fight to maximize the economic damages that they must pay to you for their actions.
Your sexual assault lawyer will work diligently to build a strong case against your attacker and keep you out of the courtroom by gaining compensation through a settlement.
If a settlement agreement is not reached, then your case will go to court as a civil sexual assault lawsuit trial.
TorHoerman Law: A Sexual Assault Law Firm That Fights For Victims
We are truly sorry for the trauma that you have been subjugated too because of the awful actions of another human being.
We know that this is a difficult time for you and we will do everything within our power to assist you in any way.
If you have any questions, even if they are just questions regarding a criminal sexual assault lawsuit – we would be more than happy to answer them to the best of our abilities.
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