Arizona Sexual Abuse Lawyer 

Sexual abuse and sexual assault are all too common in the state of Arizona, leaving victims with lifelong emotional and physical scars. If you or someone you know have been victims of sexual abuse or assault, whether that’s clergy abuse or another form of assault, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you pursue compensation.

Our team is committed to supporting abuse survivors. Sexual abuse attorneys will work to build your case so the defendant is held liable and you receive compensation for your suffering.  

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Our Arizona sexual abuse attorneys have a proven track record of substantial settlements and verdicts in these sensitive cases. We will thoroughly investigate your abuse claim to assess damages, gather evidence, and protect your rights under Arizona law. 

As your sexual abuse lawyers, our deep expertise in handling sexual abuse cases allows us to fight relentlessly to protect your rights and fair settlement, prioritize your healing, and ensure your financial and emotional recovery.

Understanding Sexual Assault and Abuse

Terms like sexual abuse and sexual assault are often used interchangeably. Sexual assault is defined as a person intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with another person without their consent. It involves a direct violation of a person’s bodily autonomy and is a severe form of sexual violence.

Sex abuse is slightly more broad and occurs when a person intentionally or knowingly engages in sexual acts or contact with a person without their consent. This abuse can involve a range of non-consensual behaviors, from inappropriate touching to more severe forms of sexual exploitation.

Common Forms of Sexual Abuse

• Sexual intercourse – The perpetrator has penetrative sex with the victim without their consent.
• Unwanted touching – The perpetrator touches the victim in an inappropriate and undesirable way.
• Emotional/physical manipulation – The perpetrator makes threats of violence or coercion to force the victim to perform a sexual act.
• Sexual exposure – The victim is forced to look at or engage with sexual images.
• Object sexual assault – The perpetrator uses an object to penetrate or touch a victim inappropriately.
• Child Sexual Abuse – Any sexual activity with a child, including fondling, penetration, or exposing a child to sexual conduct, typically involving an adult in a position of authority or trust.
• Grooming – The process by which an abuser builds trust with a victim, often a minor, to manipulate and control them for future sexual abuse.

Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur

In 2019, there were 3,662 reported statutory rape cases across the state of Arizona [1]. This staggering number does not include all the unreported rapes, assaults, and other types of sexual abuse cases. 

Here are some of the most common institutions where sexual assault and abuse occur:

• Workplace – Hierarchies are standard in the workplace, and these power imbalances often lead to sexual assault among employees and employers. We handle cases where employees or employers misuse their authority, leading to sexual assault or harassment within the workplace.
• Inpatient treatment facilities – People who are sick or injured may be more vulnerable to abuse from healthcare workers or other individuals at inpatient facilities.
• Correctional facilities – Sexual assault cases are common in prisons and correctional facilities.
• Foster care – Though foster families are tasked with caring for children, parents, guardians, or others in the household may take advantage of foster children.
• Daycare facilities – Daycare staff are responsible for young children all day, and when the wrong people are hired, children are put in danger.
• Nursing homes – Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to emotional, physical, and financial nursing home abuse by others.
• Educational institutions – Institutions charged with teaching are common places for power imbalances between employees and students
• Religious institutions – Clergy sexual assault and abuse are more common than many think, so even religious organizations are not immune to these issues
• Military institutions – Some military organizations have numerous sexual abuse cases that go unreported to protect specific individuals in powerful positions
• Hotels and short-term rentals – People staying in accommodations could fall victim to other tenants or landlords with ulterior motives
• Shelters – Shelters are often poorly managed, and those who stay, volunteer, or work there could be at risk

Steps to Take If You Are a Victim of Sexual Assault

First, you must prioritize your safety and well-being, so get to a medical clinic to be examined. You should also contact law enforcement to report the sexual abuse and find out the next steps. Document everything you can related to the incident, such as text messages, phone calls, or other evidence. 

You should also reach out to a sexual assault attorney to discuss your options. It is possible to file a personal injury lawsuit even if there is a criminal case against the perpetrator for a sexual assault charge. 

When you contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, you get a free and confidential consultation where you can ask questions about the legal process. Expect us to handle all aspects of your case, from gathering evidence to representing you in the courtroom. 

You can also report the assault through the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which is 800-656-4673. There is also the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence and Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, which features resources for victims.  

Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims

Victims can pursue compensation with the help of a sexual assault attorney. Possible damages include both economic and non-economic damages, such as medical expenses, therapy bills, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering. 

Some factors that will affect this settlement include the extent of the damages, the available evidence, the defense of the perpetrator, and the ongoing costs of the abuse. 

Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases

In sexual abuse cases, liability refers to the legal responsibility of the individual perpetrators and, in some instances, the institutions that allowed or failed to prevent the abuse.

Proving liability is the primary objective if you plan to file claims. If the evidence supports that negligence was involved, both individuals and institutions can be held responsible for your damages. 

An institution may be liable for negligence in preventing abuse, failing to report incidents, or not responding to complaints. Insufficient background checks, negligent security, and unhealthy environments where abuse can occur could contribute to an institution’s liability. 

Several legal principles may impact a sexual abuse case. Vicarious liability means an entity can be held responsible for the actions of a separate entity depending on the relationship between them. Title IX regulations govern instances of treatment in educational institutions among different sexes. If your sexual assault or abuse occurred within a religious community, there are regulations based on these situations as well. 

How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case

Proving sex crimes and abuse can be challenging. In criminal cases, the burden of proof requires the state to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. The bar is slightly lower for a civil court case, though it is still substantial. 

To prove you’ve been sexually assaulted, you’ll need evidence such as documentation of the abuse, witness statements, and digital communications. This evidence must show that negligence or intentional misconduct occurred and demonstrate the link between the abuse and the harm it caused. 

Often, this is supported by medical and psychological testimony detailing the physical and emotional impact of the abuse, as well as any financial losses incurred. 

The Role of Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Sexual assault attorneys are essential to winning your case. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we offer free consultations and can investigate your case, collect strong evidence, assess the extent of your legal damages, negotiate for compensation, protect your legal rights under state law, and represent you in court if needed. 

The Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Arizona

Filing sexual assault charges against the defendant in a civil case must be done before the statute of limitations in Arizona ends. The statute of limitations for most sex crimes in a civil lawsuit is two years from the date of the incident. 

Under Arizona’s new law, sexual assault and abuse victims have until the age of 30, or within 12 years of discovering the abuse, whichever comes later, to file a civil claim. These extensions recognize the long-lasting impact of abuse and the time it may take for survivors to come forward.

Contact an Arizona Sexual Abuse Attorney Today!

Law enforcement is responsible for handling reports of sex abuse, assault, or misconduct, but the criminal system is only designed to punish the perpetrators. If you hope to receive compensation for damages suffered because of sexual misconduct, child abuse, or assault, then you must file a civil claim. 

Contact our firm today at 888-424-5757 or fill out this form.  

Resources: [1] World Population Review – Rape Statistics By State