It’s estimated that about 1 in 55 people are the victim of violent crime in Little Rock, AR, and that includes sexual assault like rape. However, that is only one type of sexual crime. If you have been the victim of any sexual violence, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to help.
Our law firm is committed to supporting abuse survivors, offering top-tier legal representation to help you seek justice, recover compensation, and begin the process of healing and moving forward.
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
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to taking legal action on behalf of our clients, helping each person obtain the maximum compensation. Our compassionate legal team will listen to you and build a strong case to achieve substantial settlements on your behalf under Little Rock law.
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As a sexual assault attorney of choice, we work hard to investigate each claim, ensuring all medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering are fully addressed in your settlement. Thanks to our deep expertise in handling sexual assault cases, we know what it takes to win and fight relentlessly to protect your rights.
Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault
Sexual abuse is a broad term that includes all nonconsensual sexual acts, regardless of the degree. Sexual assault is defined as sexual contact with another by forcible compulsion, with someone who is incapable of consent, or with a minor. Sexual assault includes, but is not limited to, penetration, intercourse, fondling, and other forms of forced sexual contact.
What helps define the action as sexual abuse and sexual assault is a lack of consent. You did not consent to the unwanted sexual activity, which often occurs in situations where there is an inherent power imbalance.
Common Forms of Sexual Abuse
Sexual assault and abuse can take different types of forms, and you may not even realize you are a victim. Common forms include:
- Rape: Nonconsensual penetration through force or coercion.
- Sexual Harassment: Unwanted verbal, physical, or visual sexual advances.
- Stalking: A pattern of behavior where someone follows and often harasses another person.
- Exhibitionism: Publicly exposing oneself sexually to others without their consent.
- Voyeurism: Watching someone in a sexual or private setting without their consent.
- Child Sexual Abuse: The assault of a minor by an adult or another minor.
- Incest: Sexual contact with a family member.
Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur
Sexual abuse can happen in various settings, particularly where individuals are vulnerable or dependent on others. Below are the institutions where sexual assault is most likely to occur, based on cases we handle:
- Professional settings: Sexual abuse can occur in various workplaces, often involving supervisors, colleagues, or clients exploiting their positions of power.
- Religious institutions: Clergy and other religious leaders may abuse their positions of authority, leading to sexual exploitation of congregants.
- Inpatient treatment facilities: Patients in mental health or rehabilitation centers may face abuse from caregivers or staff who take advantage of their vulnerable state.
- Short- and long-term care facilities: Both children in daycare facilities and elderly residents in nursing homes are at risk of abuse from caregivers, where dependence and trust are exploited.
- Criminal justice systems: Inmates in prisons, juvenile detention centers, and correction facilities may suffer abuse from other prisoners or correctional staff, often with little oversight or recourse.
- Child services system: Children in foster care may be sexually assaulted by their foster parents or other children in the home, particularly when proper monitoring is lacking.
- Homeless or domestic shelters: Individuals in shelters, particularly those seeking refuge from domestic violence or homelessness, may face abuse from staff or other residents.
- Educational institutions: Students may face abuse from teachers, coaches, or peers, with incidents occurring in schools, colleges, and universities.
- Sports Clubs: Athletes, particularly minors, may experience abuse from coaches, trainers, or other club members, exploiting their authority and influence.
- Armed forces: Service members, including enlisted officers and civilians, may suffer abuse from superiors or peers, often in environments where hierarchy and discipline can overshadow accountability.
- Hospitality industry, including hotels and short-term rentals
Steps to Take If You Are a Victim
If you find yourself sexually abused or assaulted, you should take immediate steps to ensure your safety.
- Remove yourself from the situation if you can. Find another place to stay or go home if it happened elsewhere. Take steps to protect yourself.
- Document everything; no detail is too small. Write down all that happened – who, what, where, when, why, and how. Include names of any witnesses.
- Connect with attorneys who specialize in sexual abuse in Little Rock, Arkansas. This will help ensure the most qualified professionals advocate for you in the justice system.
- You are not alone, and you can find many local support resources in Little Rock for sexual abuse survivors, including Women and Children First Arkansas, the Victim Services Program for the Little Rock Police Department, and the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Financial Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims
Just like sexual abuse is broad, so is the compensation you can receive in a civil lawsuit. Types of financial compensation you may receive for sexual assault and abuse include:
- Medical treatment: These expenses include hospital and doctor bills, testing, OBGYN treatments, and more
- Therapy and Counseling Costs: Funds to cover ongoing therapy and mental health support necessary for recovery.
- Lost wages: Reimbursement for any past, current, or future wages lost due to the inability to work as a result of the abuse.
- Emotional trauma: Compensation for the pain and suffering endured due to the abuse, including anxiety, depression, and trauma.
- Punitive damages: In extreme cases, additional compensation is awarded to punish wrongdoers and deter future misconduct.
The amount you receive and the type of compensation depends on the details of the sexual violence, including:
- Severity of abuse
- Length of abuse
- Impact of the abuse
- The age of the victim
- Evidence of the abuse
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’re more than just sexual assault lawyers; we’ve helped recover over $450 million across all areas of personal injury, including child abuse.
Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases
Liability is a legal term for responsibility. We work with sexually assaulted victims to prove liability in sex abuse cases, both on an individual and institutional basis. Institutions can be held liable for:
- Negligence, or failure to prevent the abuse
- Failure to report incidents
- Inadequate responses to complaints
Institutions can be held liable for sexual assault if they fail to conduct background checks or do not adequately supervise individuals. Ultimately, they can be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employees if those actions occur within the scope of their employment.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock and other federally funded institutions may also be liable under Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination and mandates the protection of students from sexual predators and abuse.
Religious institutions can be held accountable for abuse committed by clergy if they use their authority and influence to exploit vulnerable individuals.
How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case
As you and your attorney look to prove your sexual abuse case, you’ll focus on three different areas.
- Evidence: Collect as much evidence as possible to support your claim, such as medical records, witness statements, photographs, emails, and text messages. This documentation can help prove the abuse occurred.
- Negligence and/or intentional misconduct: Based on the evidence you have and our own investigation, we will work with you to build a case on negligence or intentional misconduct.
- Link between abuse and harm: In the end, we want to prove that the sexual assault had a significant impact on your well-being, and you deserve to be compensated for it. Your attorney will work with medical professionals, therapists, and other experts to demonstrate the impact of the assault, supporting your compensation claim.
The Role of Little Rock Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Your attorney knows the law better than anyone and can help file civil lawsuits and criminal penalties. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we take our role as your advocate seriously.
- We help you navigate the legal process and recommend legal action based on your case.
- We help you investigate your claims, examine the details of the sex crime, and gather additional documentation as needed.
- We represent you in court and act as your voice to make sure that sex offenders are held accountable for the physical and emotional trauma.
The Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Little Rock
Under a new law, victims of child sexual abuse have until the age of 55 to file criminal charges or a civil claim. This statute is a huge win for childhood sexual abuse victims in Little Rock.
Before the Justice for Vulnerable Victims Act in 2021, child sex abuse victims could only file a claim until the age of 21. An amendment passed in 2023 gave a two-year lookback period to allow sexually assaulted victims of any age to file a civil lawsuit and take legal action against the sex offender.
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Arkansas can now file legal claims against their abusers without any age limit, thanks to a recent amendment to state law. Previously, the statute of limitations was set at age 21, then extended to 55, but the new legislation removes these age restrictions entirely.
For other types of sexual abuse, the statute of limitations varies. Some claims must be filed within three years from when the abuse occurs, while others may have no limitation, particularly when DNA evidence is uncovered.
Contact a Little Rock Sexual Assault Attorney Today!
Victims of sexual assault in Little Rock can partner with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to recover compensation through a civil claim holding a party liable for what happened to them. Our law firm can help you navigate the devastating consequences of sex abuse and begin your healing journey.
Reach out to us to schedule your free consultation today with a sexual abuse lawyer by calling (888) 424-5757 or filling out the form on our website.
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