Sexual abuse happens when someone uses threats, force, or takes advantage of someone in a vulnerable position to engage in unwanted sexual activity.
Unfortunately, some organizations and institutions have provided perpetrators the opportunity to groom and exploit victims in settings where they are regularly taught to respect and follow those in leadership roles, such as doctors, priests, teachers, or coaches.
When these types of authority figures abuse people sexually, it can be very harmful and traumatic for victims. They often have lasting physical, emotional, and psychological issues, from flashbacks and depression to eating disorders and self-harming behaviors, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.
If you or a loved one has been sexually abused, do not hesitate to contact Phillips Law Group for legal help. Our Phoenix, AZ sexual assault and abuse lawyers are committed to seeking compensation for the injuries you have suffered.
What Is Sexual Abuse?
According to Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1404, someone commits the criminal act of “sexual abuse” if they intentionally or knowingly engage in any type of non-consensual sexual contact with a person who is 15 years of age or older, or if they engage in sexual contact specifically with the female breast of someone younger than 15. The former variant of this offense is treated as a class 5 felony in the Grand Canyon state, whereas the latter variant is categorized as a class 3 felony and prosecuted as a “dangerous crime against children” in accordance with A.R.S. §13-705.
What Is Sexual Assault?
A.R.S. §13-1406v categorizes “sexual assault” as a class 2 felony offense and defines it as someone intentionally or knowingly engaging in non-consensual oral sexual contact or sexual intercourse with another person. First-time offenders are subject to a sentencing range of 5.25 to 14 years in prison with increased minimum and maximum sentences applicable to repeat offenders, and someone convicted of sexually assaulting a minor under the age of 15 will be sentenced in accordance with the guidelines for “dangerous crimes against children” laid out in A.R.S. §13-705.
The Impact of Sexual Assault and Abuse
Sexual assault and abuse have been in the news a great deal in recent years. This type of assault comes in an appalling variety of forms — sexual assault is not always forcible rape. And a survivor of this type of abuse could benefit from receiving assistance from a sexual assault lawyer in the Phoenix area for possible legal proceedings.
Whether it is rape, harassment, or simply unwanted advances, this type of experience can have a devastating effect on the victim’s life — and not just physically and emotionally. Sexual assault victims have difficulty dealing with daily life because of the trauma of the experience. Often, it is necessary to undergo expensive therapy and counseling for a long time afterward. And if there were physical injuries, there are medical expenses to consider, too.
A sexual predator can, and usually is, held accountable by the criminal justice system. However, criminal courts do not award damages, which is why it is important to retain counsel from an experienced lawyer.
What Should I Do if I Experience Sexual Abuse?
If you have experienced sexual abuse or assault of any kind, your first priority should be ensuring that you are safe from any further harm in the immediate future and that you receive appropriate medical care for any physical injuries you have sustained. After that, organizations like the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) can help connect you to counselors and other resources, and an experienced Phoenix, AZ sexual assault attorney can review your legal options with you during a confidential consultation.
Do I Qualify for a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
If you suffered a physical injury requiring any form of professional medical treatment directly because of someone else sexually abusing or assaulting you, you likely have grounds to file suit against them under standard personal injury law. If you suffered psychological harm but no serious physical injuries, a sexual assault lawyer in Phoenix, AZ may still be able to help you file suit over “intentional infliction of emotional distress.” This works slightly differently from a typical personal injury claim in ways your legal counsel can explain in more detail.
How Do I File a Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against a Company or Institution?
If someone uses a position of authority within a business, social organization, or religious group to facilitate their own acts of sexual assault and/or abuse, the organization which the abuser was part of may hold civil liability for the role they played in allowing the assault(s) to occur. Depending on the circumstances, this could involve holding a company or organization “vicariously liable” for the actions of their employee, or directly liable for intentional misconduct or egregious negligence—for example, because they knowingly allowed an abuser to remain in a position of authority, or failed to properly supervise them on the job.
How Long Do I Have to File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
In Arizona, adults who experience sexual assault or abuse are generally subject to the standard statute of limitations for personal injury claims codified in A.R.S. §12-542, which means they generally have two years to file suit after initially sustaining harm. However, you have until two years after your 18th birthday to file suit if you were assaulted or abused between the ages of 15 and 18, and there is no deadline whatsoever for lawsuits based on sexual assault and abuse that occurred before you turned 15.
Is it Worth it to Hire a Lawyer?
In virtually every situation, having support from a skilled Phoenix, AZ sexual assault and abuse attorney will dramatically improve your chances of securing a favorable result from your claim. In addition to helping you collect and make effective use of evidence needed to hold everyone who played a role in your mistreatment civilly liable for your actions, your dedicated attorney will also ensure you are demanding a fair amount of compensation for every form of harm you have experienced and will experience because of that mistreatment.
Work With a Caring Phoenix, AZ Sexual Assault and Abuse Attorney
We have helped many personal injury victims and their families throughout the Phoenix area by providing the strong, compassionate representation they deserve. Holding individuals or organizations accountable for the abuse they allowed can be an important part of the process of moving forward.
During a free consultation, our Phoenix, AZ sexual assault and abuse lawyers can review your case, discuss your legal options, and answer any questions you may have to help you make an informed decision about what to do. If you decide to move forward with the legal process, there are no upfront costs or attorney fees involved. You only pay us if you recover compensation.
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