New Waterford Sexual Abuse Lawyer
The victims of sexual abuse are often members of vulnerable communities, including children and adolescents. The perpetrators of sexual abuse often exploit their victims’ dependence on them, abuse the trust they have placed in them, or use the authority they have over them in order to engage in non-consensual sexual activity.
Children and minors are not capable of giving informed consent for sexual activity. Teenagers who have not yet reached the age of majority but have passed the age of consent are not considered capable of consenting to sexual activity with an adult in a position of authority or trust, or upon whom they are dependent. For example, if a high school teacher, religious leader, sports coach, foster parent, juvenile detention centre guard, or other authority figure in the teenager’s life exploits the imbalance of power between them to coerce, manipulate, threaten, or otherwise persuade their victim to engage in sexual activities with them, they have committed sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse often occurs within the framework of a larger organization or institution. Oftentimes, these organizations cater to the needs of young people or other members of vulnerable communities. Abusers exploit their positions within these institutions to prey upon the very people for whom they were hired to provide care. Common examples of these organizations include:
- Schools
- Religious institutions
- Sports leagues
- Extra-curricular programs
- Summer camps
- Juvenile correctional facilities
- Psychiatric hospitals
- Foster care
- And more
The leadership of these organizations are required to take immediate action upon learning of sexual abuse committed by members of its staff. They have an obligation to report sexual abuse to the police and remove perpetrators of this heinous crime from their positions. If an organization learns that one of its employees or volunteers has perpetrated sexual abuse but fails to take any measures, they may be considered contributorily negligent. As such, they may be liable for damages incurred by the victims of sexual abuse whom they failed to protect.
The survivors of sexual abuse often live with the trauma of the crime committed against them for years, or even decades following their abuse. Being victimized can have profound, far-reaching effects on a person’s overall quality of life, especially if they were abused as children. In addition to the emotional and psychological burden of the pain they have endured, survivors of sexual abuse often incur substantial financial losses as a result of being abused.
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our sexual abuse lawyers serving New Waterford may be able to help you pursue a civil claim against your abuser and, depending on the circumstances of your case, against the organization that employed them or introduced you to them. By doing so, our New Waterford sexual abuse lawyers may be able to help you recover damages you have incurred as a result of your traumatic experience.
Our sexual abuse lawyers serving New Waterford offer a free initial consultation to all prospective clients. To learn about options that may be available to you, call Preszler Injury Lawyers.
Free Consultation for New Waterford Residents – We Don’t Get Paid Unless We Win
During a free, no-obligation consultation with our New Waterford sexual abuse lawyers, you will have the opportunity to review the details of your case in a safe, considerate enviornment. Our sexual abuse lawyers serving New Waterford may be able to explain courses of action available to you, and provide personalized legal advice about your options.
To take advantage of your free initial consultation with our New Waterford sexual abuse lawyers, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers today.
