Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact obtained without consent and done through the use of force, threat of force, intimidation, or coercion (meaning that the victim was manipulated, tricked, or forced into participating). That includes rape (oral, anal, or vaginal penetration without consent), fondling (the touching of the private parts of another for sexual gratification, usually through clothing), incest (sexual contact between family members), and statutory rape (sexual contact with someone below the legal age of consent). Sexual assault can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, religion, wealth, or other demographics.
How To Get Legal Help
What can a sex assault lawyer do for you? There are several essential things that you should know. A sexual assault lawyer can provide you with the legal advice and guidance to help resolve your case for good if ever you find yourself in an unfortunate situation involving sexual violence or abuse.
The first thing that a sexual assault lawyer will do is assess your situation to determine whether filing charges against the perpetrator is viable. If your case is viable, there are several processes that you will have to go through, including the gathering of evidence and the filing of appropriate charges. It may also involve seeking appropriate mental support if you do decide to press charges against the perpetrator.
Sex assault lawyers can help file appropriate complaints with the relevant authorities such as schools, homeowners associations, legal associations, and other applicable governing bodies. The aim here is to help enforce the law if you cannot enforce it yourself since there are situations where you can’t do so.
Sexual assault lawyers also take cases involving personal injury related to sexual violence or abuse. That means that they can provide you with legal support if you need compensation for your injuries, lost wages due to time off work, pain, and suffering, medical bills incurred during operation or treatment, emotional distress damages, including stress-related illnesses.
When it comes to sex assault cases involving children, there are several processes that the lawyer will do, including filing appropriate complaints with the relevant authorities. They can also help file charges against the perpetrator and provide you with the necessary support during legal processes. Also check sexual harassment attorney in Kansas City.
Violent Crimes
Sexual assault lawyers are generally on the same page regarding sexual violence crimes, especially because there is a universal understanding of what constitutes sexual violence. That includes rape, child abuse, molestation, harassment, and other forms of unwanted physical or verbal conduct that are sexual in nature. The law understands that any unwanted physical contact or behaviour of a sexual nature can have adverse psychological effects on the victim, hence why the court takes these cases seriously.
It is good to have a prior consultation from experienced people about your sexual assault experience. So that you can determine whether you should file charges with your local police department against the perpetrator, it is vital to discuss your case with a sexual assault lawyer first. The lawyer will be able to advise and guide you on your next step.
Time Limitations On Pressing Charges
A limitation period is the time limit for filing a court action after the assault occurred. For most charges in Alberta, the limitation period is two years; fortunately, there is something called the elimination of the limitation period.
Elimination of the limitation period means that the injured party can file their action at any time without restriction. The same legislation also removed limitation periods for “a claim that relates to any misconduct of a sexual nature, other than sexual assault or battery, if at the time of the misconduct,
- the person with the claim was a minor,
- the person with the claim was in an intimate relationship, with the person who committed the misconduct, or
- the person with the claim was dependent, whether financially, emotionally, physically or otherwise, on the person who committed the misconduct.”
All that means is if you’re in one of the above groups, the legislation removed limitation periods for situations involving sexual harassment, sexting, posting of photographs of a sexual nature and many other similar situations.
Summary
In conclusion, a sexual assault lawyer can help you resolve your legal issues related to sexual violence or abuse in a manner that best suits your situation. The knowledge and experience of these lawyers are essential for helping victims get through their cases.