Sexual abuse and other sex crimes are known to leave lasting impacts on the survivors. Whether the abuse happened in childhood or adulthood, the effects of this abuse extend past physical.
Our legal team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers understands how sexual abuse impacts a victim physically and emotionally. That’s why we provide compassionate legal representation to those in Fresno ready to bring their abuser to justice.
WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING SEXUAL ABUSE CASES INVOLVING INSTITUTIONS.
IF YOU HAVE A MATTER INVOLVING A RELATIVE OR ACQUAINTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
When dealing with the aftermath of adult or child sexual assault, having an attorney and legal team on your side that understands the sensitive nature of the case and a deep understanding of the law is key. Our lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers take a comprehensive approach to defending those who’ve experienced sexual abuse.
Hotel sexual assault case
Coach grooming and abuse
Cruise ship rape settlement
Negligent security assault
Child sexual abuse lawsuit
Therapist sexual abuse settlement
We combine legal expertise with guidance and resources to help survivors as they begin to heal. We thoroughly investigate your claim to build a solid case with evidence of sexual misconduct and abuse.
Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault
What makes sexual abuse cases challenging is that many things fall under this category. Some people don’t even realize what happened to them qualifies as sexual abuse or assault. Sexual abuse is any non-consensual sexual misconduct.
It can be anything from unwanted sexual touching or behavior to rape. Consent needs to be freely and ongoingly given. Even if someone consents because they’re being manipulated or under the influence, that’s not true consent.
Power imbalances tend to play a huge role in sexual assault and abuse. A person in a position of power will often try to coerce someone into sexual acts.
Common Forms of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse comes in many different forms. The most common forms are:
- Child Sexual Abuse: Any sexual conduct with a minor.
- Statutory Rape: Sex or any sexual activity with a minor, even if they say they’re okay with it. Their age makes them incapable of true consent.
- Rape: Non-consensual sex of any kind, regardless of the degree of force.
- Sexual Assault: Sexual touching or fondling that lacks consent.
- Sexual Harassment: Unwanted sexual advances, whether they’re physical or verbal.
- Incest: Sexual acts between blood-related family members.
- Voyeurism: The process of watching someone have sex, people in the nude, or disrobing without their knowledge or consent.
- Digital Sexual Abuse: Non-consensual sharing of intimate photos or videos.
- Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault: Using drugs or alcohol to incapacitate someone before sexually assaulting them.
- Sexual Exploitation: Coercing or manipulating someone into a sexual act.
Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur
Sexual abuse and assault can happen anywhere. We handle cases where sexual assault occurred in:
- Daycare Facilities: We’ll represent anyone who’s been sexually abused at a daycare facility.
- Educational Institutions: Schools with people of any age have many cases of sexual abuse.
- Foster Care: Many underage individuals are sexually exploited and abused in the foster care system, and we’re prepared to protect their rights.
- Hotels and Short-Term Rentals: These transient environments lead to an increase in sexual abuse victims.
- Inpatient Treatment Facilities: Patients in rehab centers, mental health facilities, and hospitals can be abused by trusted staff.
- Military Institutions: Our lawyers have the experience to defend survivors who have been sexually abused within the military.
- Nursing Homes: Short- and long-term care facilities where abuse can occur by those entrusted with the care of elderly individuals.
- Prisons and Correctional Facilities: Abuse within the criminal justice system, including prisons, juvenile detention centers, and correctional facilities.
- Religious Institutions: Clergy abuse is often swept under the rug, but we have the drive and experience to fight clergy abuse cases.
- Shelters: We’ve provided legal representation to vulnerable people who should’ve been safe in a shelter.
- Sports Clubs: Many athletes are subjected to sexual abuse by other athletes, coaches, and team doctors.
- Workplace: We help clients who have been sexually harassed or assaulted by a co-worker or employer.
Steps to Take If You Are a Victim of Sexual Assault
If you’ve experienced sexual abuse, it can feel daunting to try and figure out what to do afterward. That’s why we’ve provided some steps to take if you’ve been sexually assaulted:
- Get yourself to a safe place
- Go to the hospital for medical care
- Report the abuse to local law enforcement
- Document everything surrounding the incident(s)
- Preserve any evidence you have
- Seek support from those you trust and local support groups like the Rape Crisis Service (RCS) Fresno.
- Contact a sexual abuse attorney for legal guidance and counsel
Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims
When you seek compensation for what you’ve endured, you can get a settlement for things such as:
- Medical expenses
- Therapy expenses
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
The amount that you’ll receive in a settlement depends on:
- The duration of abuse
- The nature and severity of the abuse
- The strength of the evidence
- The degree of negligence from an institution
Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases
Liability in sexual abuse cases involves holding both individual perpetrators and institutions responsible for the harm caused. The perpetrator isn’t the only one who can be held liable in sexual abuse cases. The institution where the abuse occurred can also be held accountable due to the following:
- Negligent hiring
- Negligent retention
- Failure to train
- Failure to investigate or report sexual violence
- Inadequate supervision
If an institution is potentially liable for sexual abuse, we can use the following legal principles to help strengthen a case:
- Duty of Care: Institutions must work hard to protect individuals from harm.
- Title IX: Schools are required to address sexual assault; failure to do so makes them liable.
- Negligence: Liability arises from inadequate prevention, like poor supervision or lack of background checks.
- Vicarious Liability: Institutions are accountable for their employees’ actions by law.
Power dynamics, especially in religious communities, can also create conditions where abuse is more likely to occur, making those institutions responsible.
How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case
When you choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’ll work on your behalf to prove sexual assault and provide the best possible outcome for you by:
- Gathering evidence
- Establishing a timeline of the abuse
- Demonstrating negligence or intentional misconduct
- Providing a link between the abuse and the harm suffered
- Gathering expert testimony
- Investigating any institutions
- Representing you in court, if necessary
The Role of a Fresno Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help by:
- Providing a safe place for you to share your story
- Giving transparent feedback about your case
- Investigating your claim to build a strong case
- Working with experts and handling the opposing counsel
- Negotiating a settlement
The Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Fresno
In Fresno, CA, the statute of limitations for filing a sexual abuse claim is ten years from the date of the abuse. For cases of child sexual abuse, survivors have until they turn 40 years old to file a claim. Recent changes in California law have extended these time limits, providing more opportunities for survivors to seek justice.
Contact a Fresno Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today!
When you’re ready to bring your abuser(s) to justice, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is prepared to provide you with the expert legal support and guidance you deserve. While the impacts of sexual abuse are long-lasting, seeking compensation is a step in the right direction.
Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out the form to hear more about how we can help you with your sexual abuse case in Fresno, California.
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