Virginia Sexual Abuse Victims Attorney
An incident or pattern of sexual abuse can bring life to a standstill. For a survivor of sexual trauma, the necessities of day to day existence often take an immediate back seat to the uphill road towards physical and emotional recovery. If you’re a victim of sexual abuse or assault, the task of getting your life back on track—whether professionally, personally, or otherwise—can understandably be overwhelming. An experienced Virginia sexual abuse victims lawyer can help protect your rights as a victim of sexual abuse and can get to work ensuring that your abuser is held financially responsible for the physical, psychological and emotional pain inflicted.
Pursuing financial compensation from a person or person responsible for sexual abuse can be a painful process for the victim and the victim’s family. Sensitive, hurtful, and embarrassing private information can come to light during a sexual abuse civil claim. In addition to fighting for a victim’s rights and emotional, physical, and financial well-being, an experienced Virginia sexual abuse victims attorney can make sure a victim’s privacy is respected as much as possible during the legal process. If you are a victim of sexual abuse or assault, and you are struggling to pick up the pieces, reach out to an experienced Virginia sexual abuse victims lawyer at our firm for a free consultation.
Sexual Assault in Virginia
Every year in Virginia, thousands of sexual assault cases are reported to authorities. Unfortunately, thousands more go unreported. According to RAINN, the country’s largest anti-sexual violence advocacy group, “approximately 2/3 of rapes were committed by someone known to the victim.” If you are the victim of sexual abuse or assault in Virginia, do not be silenced. Speak up and make sure your abuser is brought to justice and held accountable for his wrongdoing. Our Virginia injury attorneys work hard to make sure you get the financial compensation you need to keep your life intact and pay the bills while you recover. If you or a loved one have been the victim of any of the following types of sexual abuse in Virginia, make sure you speak to an attorney who will fight for your best interests:
- Sexual abuse
- Child sexual abuse
- Sexual abuse at school
- Foster care abuse
- Boy scout abuse
- Sports sexual abuse
- Government sexual abuse
- Sexual hazing
- Workplace sexual harassment
- Rape
- Sexual assault
- Internet sex crimes
- Clergy sexual abuse
- Sex with a Minor
The Aftermath of Sexual Assault
The emotional wounds left behind by sexual assault are never small. The victim may be scared to leave the house and have difficulty holding down a job. Routines like walking to the store or taking the bus home from work can become foreign, even intimidating. The path towards emotional and physical well-being may require consultation with physical therapists, primary care physicians, mental health professionals, and others.
While much attention is paid to the emotional toll sexual abuse and assault can have on a victim, a large portion of abuse instances also result in physical symptoms and illness, including, but not limited to:
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Gastrointestinal disorders (ex: irritable bowel syndrome)
- Chronic pain
- Migraines
- Back pain
- Facial pain
When this is the case, a victim often needs not only the support of friends, family, and loved ones, but the trusted advice of an attorney well-practiced in sexual abuse cases. A Virginia sexual abuse victims lawyer can work to earn you financial compensation for this traumatic event, compensation that can help mitigate the lasting physical and emotional damage, as well as the costs of recovery.
Filing a Sexual Assault Injury Claim in Court
Most people are aware of the process of bringing sexual abusers to justice through the criminal justice system. But fewer are aware that a civil claim can also be brought against sexual abusers, holding them financially responsible for the damage they’ve inflicted on another’s life. Even if the perpetrator is brought to justice in the court, the emotional drain of an investigation and trial can leave one feeling depleted. The support of an attorney can make sure you don’t go through this process alone, and can fight for your rights as a victim.
It is important to speak to an attorney about your sexual assault experiences as soon possible, as there is a statute of limitations dictating how long after an alleged assault that a civil suit can be brought forward. In Virginia, the statute of limitations on sexual abuse is 20 years, beginning when the victim either turns 18 or remembers the abuse (if the memories were repressed). If you are the unfortunate victim of sexual abuse, the sooner you seek the council of an experienced Virginia sexual abuse victims lawyer the higher the chance you have of a successful outcome. A lawyer needs time to collect evidence and interview potential witnesses and involved parties in order to mount a successful case against the abuser.