Coming forward with a sexual abuse claim can be intimidating. But you’re not alone. A sexual abuse lawyer from Van Law Firm is ready to help you get justice. We can identify all parties responsible for your or your loved one’s abuse, explore options for recovering compensation, and negotiate an out of court settlement or sue for damages. We’re here to protect you and take the steps you’re most comfortable with.
What Is Sexual Abuse?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), sexual abuse is unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent. Most victims and perpetrators know each other.
Some forms of sexual abuse include:
- Rape or attempted rape
- Fondling, groping, or other unwelcome sexual touching
- Being forced to touch another person sexually
- Forced sodomy or oral sex, either giving or receiving such acts
- Being forced or coerced into viewing or creating pornographic material
- Unwanted sexual conversation or advances, especially with a minor
For a free legal consultation with a sexual abuse lawyer serving Nationwide, call (725) 900-9000
Sexual Abuse vs. Sexual Assault
Sexual abuse can be understood as sexual assault by a person in a position of power in relation to the victim. It can be a one-time event or a series of abuse events.
This power may be literal, as in an authority figure like a parent, teacher, or caregiver, or it may be figurative based on the nature of the relationship. For example, romantic partnerships are typically understood as relationships between two equals. But in a relationship with sexual abuse, one party often has power over the other, either through emotional manipulation, physical abuse, or both.
Sexual assault is often characterized as a singular event of unwanted and nonconsensual sexual contact. Multiple instances of sexual assault may be considered sexual abuse, regardless of whether the perpetrator holds a literal position of power.
Nationwide Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near Me (725) 900-9000
Types of Sexual Abuse Claims We Handle
- Many people believe that sexual abuse is limited to the sexual abuse of a child. But sexual abuse can occur to any person, young or old, by another person who holds some type of power over them.We serve every type of sexual abuse victim, regardless of age or background. We’re proud to help these and other victims:
- Children
- The elderly
- Those with physical and/or intellectual disabilities
- Those who experience housing, economic, and employment insecurity
- Patients
- Students
- Employees and co-workers
- Spouses and partners
Some of the most common types of sexual abuse claims we handle at Van Law Firm include:
- Clergy abuse or abuse by a religious authority figure
- Abuse by a doctor or other medical professional
- Nursing home abuse
- Daycare or school abuse
- Incest
- Marital or partner abuse
- Sexual abuse by a co-worker or employer
- Sexual abuse by a teacher or professor
Your experience with sexual abuse may not fit into any of these categories — and that’s okay. We can still help. Our sexual abuse lawyers are ready to hear your story and help you pick the best course of action for seeking justice.
Click to contact our Practice Areas today
Seek Justice and Compensation Through a Civil Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse
Sexual assault and abuse are crimes. State justice systems pursue criminal charges against sexual abusers to punish them with prison time, fines, and more. But in many cases, victims and their families are still left with the physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial consequences of suffering sexual abuse.
A sexual abuse attorney from our law firm can help you file a civil claim against your abuser and any third parties that allowed the abuse to occur. You can recover compensation for damages related to:
- Medical bills and health insurance claims for abuse-related treatment
- Out-of-pocket costs for therapy or counseling
- Lost income and benefits due to being out of work while healing
- Impaired professional advancement due to work-related abuse
- Costs to repair or replace any property damaged during the abuse
- Pain and suffering
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and disability
- Loss of quality of life and inconvenience
Whether or not your sexual abuse case goes to criminal trial, you can still file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator and liable third parties. The outcome of your civil lawsuit doesn’t have any impact on whether the abuser is found guilty or not guilty. What matters in a civil lawsuit is that you get the justice you need.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
How We Fight for Victims of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse cases can be very complex, depending on the type of abuse, the duration of abuse, who the abuser is, and the power of the third parties liable for the abuse. That’s why it’s important to find a lawyer you trust. We create a safe space for all of our clients by protecting your identity where possible, listening to your needs, and prioritizing your emotional and physical well-being.
You don’t have to pursue a civil case against your or your loved one’s abuser alone. Let us help you by:
- Connecting you with survivor resources and medical treatment
- Working with law enforcement if you want to
- Gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses
- Identifying all liable parties
- Handling all communications with opposing legal representatives
- Calculating both economic and noneconomic damages you’ve suffered
- Navigating your state’s sexual abuse laws and statutes of limitations
- Filing a lawsuit against all parties
- Negotiating a settlement or representing you in court
Theories of Sexual Abuse We Can Use to Build a Strong Case for You
Theories are the foundational arguments upon which we build a case against a sexual abuser and the parties that allowed the abuse to occur. Here are some theories we can use in your case:
- Assault or battery, which refer to the action or threat of physically harming someone
- False imprisonment, which refers to being held against your will during sexual abuse, either physically or under coercion
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress, which means the abuser acted threateningly to cause you discomfort and fear
- Negligence, which refers to a failure to act reasonably in a situation to prevent harm, such as not doing background checks to reveal past history as an abuser, not implementing security measures that would have prevented sexual abuse, or failing to report sexual abuse
- Negligent supervision, which refers to a party failing to provide adequate supervision to prevent or catch sexual abuse of people in their care, such as in a daycare, school, or nursing home
Van Law Firm Is Here for You
If you or your loved one are ready to come forward about a sexual abuse claim, the team at Van Law Firm is ready to help. We offer free case evaluations for every potential client, and we don’t charge you a thing until we recover compensation for you. Contact our office to get started on your case today by calling (725) 900-9000.
No obligation consultations are always free.
Let us help you!Call Now: (360) 200-0000 We are available 24/7
No obligation consultations are always free.
Let Us Help You! Call Now: (725) 900-9000Client Testimonials
Related Videos
