Sexual assault and abuse are much more common than many people realize. According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual abuse organization, one American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. Nine out of every ten victims of rape are women. Nearly one out of every six American women will be the victim of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. A majority of the victims of sexual abuse are minors. Indeed, Child Protective Services estimates that between 2009 – 2013, 63,000 children per year were the victims of sexual abuse.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of sexual abuse, there are a number of laws designed to help you. The perpetrators of sexual crimes can be held accountable through both criminal and civil claims. The New York sexual abuse lawyers at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. are here for you. They understand how traumatizing and life-altering it can be to survive sexual abuse. Nothing will stop them from holding perpetrators accountable and getting justice for their clients. Please know that you can reach out to them for a free and confidential case evaluation. Whether you just have legal questions or need someone to speak to about your situation we are here for you at 800-529-9997.
Sexual abuse is a wide-ranging term that can cover a variety of different behaviors. Generally speaking, sexual abuse refers to unwanted sexual activity through threats, coercion, or the use of force. Most victims of sexual abuse know their assailants. It is very common for victims to experience shock, fear or disbelief in the aftermath of the assault. Sexual abuse can manifest in a variety of ways including:
All people should understand risk factors that can make them more vulnerable to sexual exploitation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, This can include alcohol and drug use, prior sexual victimization, a family history of conflict or violence, poverty, and a lack of employment opportunities. Still, it’s important to understand that anyone can become the victim of sexual abuse.
Depending on the specific facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for sexual abuse that takes place in New York. In most cases, the perpetrator can be held accountable through both a criminal and civil claim. Individuals are not able to bring criminal charges against perpetrators themselves. Instead, victims should talk to the police or the District Attorney and they can file charges. For a civil case, victims will need to contact a lawyer who can bring a lawsuit against the sexual abuser or a third party.
Children are among the most vulnerable groups when it comes to sexual abuse. Many will not speak up about what is happening to them out of fear, guilt, or a sense of shame. It is important that doctors, healthcare providers, and parents are able to recognize potential signs that a child is being abused. A child may undergo sudden changes in their behavior through mood swings. This can manifest through fear, withdrawal, insecurity, or rage. Other children may develop fears of intimacy and will avoid being touched.
If you or someone that you love has been the victim of sexual abuse, there are many resources at your disposal. You don’t have to go through your situation alone. Our team of highly experienced and compassionate New York sex abuse lawyers are here to help in any way that we can. We are committed to getting abuse victims the support and care that they are entitled to under the law.
The attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. understand how difficult and traumatizing it can be to go through sexual abuse. The decision to hire an attorney is extremely personal and one that we respect. You can rest assured that if you do call us everything that you share will be kept confidential. There is a reason that so many people across New York have chosen to hire us to advocate for them in their darkest hour. We do everything in our power to win for our clients and have recovered nearly $1 billion for them. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 800-529-9997.