Sexual Assault And Abuse
You’re not alone, and you didn’t do anything wrong. Being a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse is devastating in ways that most people cannot comprehend. There are, however, many others who understand what you’re going through: According to data from the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), one person in America is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds. One out of every six women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime, as have one out of every 33 men.
While the rate of sexual violence has dropped by more than half since 1993, according to RAINN’s data, it is still a significant problem, with many victims who remain silent – which can make even the most diligent research unreliable. Are you a victim?
The majority of people will think this is a criminal issue, but there’s more to it. You should be aware that civil litigation – in other words, a lawsuit – may be an option for you.
Texas Personal Injury Lawyers may be able to assist you. For a free and confidential case evaluation, call us at (888) 997-2148 immediately. We’ll give you an honest assessment of your situation and if we think we can assist you, fight for you tooth and nail.
Anyone Can Be A victim Of sexual violence
The following is a breakdown of the number of individuals who are sexually assaulted in the United States each year:
- 60,000 children are the victims of some form of sexual abuse
- 433,648 Americans are the victims of sexual assault or rape
- 80,600 Americans incarcerated are victims of rape or sexual assault
- 18,900 U.S. military are victims of unwanted or forced sexual contact
What Should I Do If I’ve Been Sexually Assaulted in Texas?
The first step after a sexual assault is to place your safety first. The most essential thing to accomplish is to get yourself out of danger. Once you’ve reached a secure location, the following are crucial actions to take:
Get medical care from a doctor
Like your safety, your health comes first. Most medical institutions have nurses, physicians, and other staff that are properly trained to collect evidence from sexual assault victims. While you may not know if you want to pursue charges following a sexual assault, it is critical to let medics gather any evidence before it is lost so that if you do choose to go after your attacker, you have the highest probability of obtaining justice.
Report your attack
It’s possible you’ll feel confused or in denial. You may still be in a state of shock or disbelief. It’s critical to realize that you did nothing wrong, and even if you’re embarrassed or ashamed, talking about your feelings might help. If you are uncomfortable talking to the police, you may always contact RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673). Your calls to them are completely anonymous, and they will not ask for your name or address, so you can obtain the assistance, counseling, and information you need.
Keep the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault
This is critical evidence, even if you do not report the assault or seek medical treatment right away. In the event that you do wish to file a complaint, your clothes and any other potential evidence should be kept safe.
Contact us When you’re ready to take your abuser accountable, contact our Sex Abuse Victims Lawyers at Texas Personal Injury Lawyers to get help with your civil case. In order to pursue a sexual assault lawsuit, you don’t need to file a police report against your attacker. Although this isn’t always the case, law enforcement involvement is frequently observed in successful cases. We have a lot of experience with these sorts of situations and want you to know that we are fully dedicated to assisting you in regaining your voice and strength.
What Are My Options If I Have Been Sexually Assaulted In Texas?
In the United States, there are two different types of justice: criminal and civil. The criminal justice system refers to a process in which a prosecutor decides whether or not to charge someone with a sex offense. If they are charged and convicted, they may be incarcerated or sent to prison, as well as suffer additional legal consequences. On the other hand, the civil justice system allows survivors of sex crimes to file claims against their attackers for financial compensation. If you can show that the individual who sexually assaulted you was convicted in a court of law, this may help your case; even if they were not, you may be able to hold your attacker responsible for certain things like medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and all other damages resulting from your assault.
Texas Personal Injury Lawyers is a law firm that specializes in Texas sexual assault cases. We can walk you through what to anticipate from your civil lawsuit against your attacker and ensure that you are fully informed about your legal rights. We will always be upfront and honest with you about the expectations of your case.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations On A Sexual Assault Claim In Texas?
In Texas, the criminal statute of limitations for rape and other sexual assault offenses involving a victim who is 18 or older is 10 years after the day the crime was committed. The civil statute of limitations for sex offenses against adults is 5 years after the date the crime was committed.
However, there are limits:
For example, in Texas, there is no criminal statute of limitation for rape or aggravated rape charges where no suspect has been identified, and there isn’t even a statute of limitations for cases involving a serial rapist.
Statute of limitations on sex crimes against children
The Texas legislature has chosen to toughen its position on crimes against children by extending the statute of limitations in both criminal and civil cases.
If the victim of a sexual offense is a kid, Texas statutes of limitations for molestation and other sex offences are longer. When calculating the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against minors, the state legislature took into account the victim’s age.
The statute of limitations in Texas for civil claims involving a minor range from 10 to 20 years after the victim’s 18th birthday, according to the legal system. The following crimes have a statute of limitations of 20 years after the victim’s 18th birthday:
- Sexual performance by a child
- Aggravated kidnapping (if committed with the intent to violate or sexually abuse the victim)
- Burglary (if committed with the intent to sexually assault a child, commit the continuous assault of a child, or commit aggravated kidnapping)
Some sex crimes against children have no statute of limitations for state prosecution. These crimes include sexual assault against a child and indecency with a child.
For certain crimes, the civil court statute of limitations is ten years after the victim’s 18th birthday. In 2011, the Texas State Legislature established this category of sex offenses. Non-sexual crimes such as human trafficking for non-sexual labor and services and compelling prostitution of children are included in this group.
Sex Crime Cases That Involve Unknown Perpetrators
In some instances, the person who committed a sex offense against them may not be known. In these situations, the victim can file a “John Doe” lawsuit. The victim must change the complaint to identify the individual’s name within 30 days of becoming aware of his or her identity.
What Can I Do If My Child Has Been Sexually Assaulted?
Parents do everything possible to keep their children safe. It’s terrible to discover that your kid has been the victim of sex abuse. You’re probably experiencing a range of emotions, including fury, helplessness, and guilt. When you find out that your kid has been sexually assaulted or abused by someone you know or trust, it’s easy to feel as if you’re suffocating. We, too, are parents. At Texas Personal Injury Lawyers, We realize how devastated you are and want to provide you with a way to express your rage and sadness. We are committed to giving your child the best chance possible at achieving a full and happy life. While we can’t reverse what happened to your kid, we will fight hard to ensure that he or she has the finest possible future. We welcome you to contact us right away so that we may discuss your options for filing a claim against:
- Teachers, administrators, school volunteers, and other staff members
- The school district
- Foster parents
- Child Protective Services
- Church or Clergy members and staff
- Sports coaches
- Boy Scouts of America or other child organizations
- Other children or students
- Daycare centers and staff members
- Any other mandated reporters who failed your child
Do I Need A Sexual Assault And Abuse Lawyer?
It’s a common question, and the simple answer is yes. The State will handle all criminal charges against a sexual assault offender, but victims will require legal assistance to develop their civil case. The criminal case will concentrate on sentencing, while the civil lawsuit will seek reimbursement for the victim’s financial losses as a result of the abuse they endured.
If you have been sexually assaulted, an experienced and aggressive lawyer can make a big difference in your Texas sexual assault or abuse case. Texas Sexual Assault and Abuse Lawyers will arrange for support services and other resources so that you may obtain the psychological treatment that you require to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally.
We are a full-service law firm located in Texas. We provide clients with individualized legal representation based on their unique needs. We want to use our legal expertise to help you in your sexual assault and abuse lawsuit case.
Call us at (888) 997-2148 now for you free consultation.
We take cases on a contingency fee basis and there are no costs unless we win, and the consultation is completely FREE. Contact us to learn what Texas Personal Injury Lawyers can accomplish for you.