Cape Breton Sexual Assault Lawyer
Sexual assault, or sexual battery, refers to any non-consensual sexual activity between adults. Consent is an active, evolving, clearly understood agreement between adults which can be revoked at any time during the sexual activity. If someone engages in any kind of sexual activity with another person without their consent, they have committed sexual assault. Sexual assault can take many forms, including attempted or completed rape, unwanted touching or grabbing, forced kissing, and other forms of harrassment. In many cases, the perpetrators of sexual assault use physical violence, threats, or other forms of intimidation in order to engage in non-consensual sexual activity.
Anyone can and may be the victim of sexual assault. Regardless of gender, race, class, or sexuality, a person may be assaulted sexually by another adult. However, in Cape Breton and across the world, women are over-represented among victims of sexual assault. While sexual assault may be perpetrated by strangers with no pre-existing connection to their victims, in most cases, victims of sexual assault have a personal relationship with their abusers. Just as anyone can be assaulted, anyone can commit sexual assault, including friends, family members, teachers, religious figures, sports coaches, and other trusted figures in a victim’s life.
For those who have been assaulted sexually, overcoming the psychological trauma can feel like an impossible challenge. In order to cope with the crime committed against them, survivors of sexual assault often engage in self-destructive behaviours, including alcohol and substance abuse. The destructive coping mechanisms adopted by sexual assault victims could have adverse effects on their overall quality of life, as well as their personal relationships. Being assaulted sexually can have lifelong emotional impacts, affecting a victim’s physical, psychological, and financial well-being for years following their assault.
If you have been the victim of sexual assault, you may feel as though you will never be able to find justice, accountability, and restitution for the crimes committed against you. However, by working with our sexual assault lawyers serving Cape Breton, you may be able to pursue a claim for damages you have incurred as a result of your assault. Our Cape Breton sexual assault lawyers appreciate that no amount of money will truly be able to make up for the wrongs you have suffered. By pursuing a civil claim against your abuser, though, you may be able to recover compensation for the financial losses you sustain because of your assault.
The financial losses acquired as a direct result of being sexually assaulted can be both economic and non-economic in nature. Economic damages refer to costs that can be easily calculated by tabulating financial losses. For example, if someone required psychiatric treatment after surviving sexual assault, the cost of their sessions would be considered an economic damage arising from their assault. Other economic damages in sexual assault claims often include:
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capability
- Failure to reach potential
- Loss of interdependent relationship
- Psychological counselling
- Prescription medication
- Mileage for medical appointments
- And possibly more
In addition to these economic damages, sexual assault survivors often bear the emotional burden of their assault for years, and even decades, following their assault. Depending on the circumstances of your case, our sexual assault lawyers serving Cape Breton may be able to pursue non-economic damages through civil action. Non-economic damages refer to losses upon which a price tag cannot easily be placed but, nevertheless, have a profound impact on a victim’s overall quality of life. These damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- And possibly more
In Cape Breton, there is no statute of limitations on sexual assault claims. That means, regardless of how far in the past your assault transpired, you still have the right to pursue civil action against the perpetrator. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our Cape Breton sexual assault lawyers know how much bravery it takes to discuss this sensitive subject. Our sexual assault lawyers serving Cape Breton offer a free initial consultation to all prospective clients. If you are ready to discuss your situation with our Cape Breton sexual assault lawyers and learn about the options that may be available to you, schedule your free initial consultation with Preszler Injury Lawyers.
Free Consultation for Cape Breton Residents – We Don’t Get Paid Unless We Win
At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we believe that no one should be forced to endure psychological pain, emotional stress, and financial instability because of a criminal’s actions. Our Cape Breton sexual assault lawyers are committed to fighting for the best interests of the clients we represent. We provide crucial legal assistance and advice to local community members to help them in their pursuit of justice and compensation.
To learn more about how Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help with your case, book a free, initial consultation with our sexual assault lawyers serving Cape Breton today.
