Sexual abuse is devasting, and the effects on the victim and their loved ones are far-ranging, lasting long after the abuse is over. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to supporting abuse survivors and helping them receive the justice they deserve.
WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING SEXUAL ABUSE CASES INVOLVING INSTITUTIONS.
IF YOU HAVE A MATTER INVOLVING A RELATIVE OR ACQUAINTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are committed to obtaining the highest compensation for our clients who have been victims of sexual abuse. Our experienced legal team treats our clients with compassion and care. We deeply understand our clients and the impact sexual abuse has had on their lives.
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Child sexual abuse lawsuit
Therapist sexual abuse settlement
Our goal is to achieve substantial settlements and verdicts in sexual abuse cases, and we have a proven track record of recovering costs for medical expenses, therapy costs, and lost wages, as well as compensation for pain and suffering. We have deep expertise in handling sexual abuse cases and fight relentlessly on your behalf to protect your rights.
Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault
In Arkansas, sexual assault is defined as sexual contact with another person by forcible compulsion, with another person who is incapable of consent, or with a minor under the age of 18.
This could include non-consensual contact, penetration, fondling, or intercourse. You did not ask for, invite, or welcome the sexual attention from the aggressor. Instead, they are trying to assert their power over you, especially if they are in a position of authority.
Common Forms of Sexual Abuse
Everyone can be a victim of sexual abuse, and it can come in different forms. They include:
- Child sexual abuse includes any sexual activity with a minor who is under the age of 18. It can also extend to unwanted sexual activity between minors.
- Rape is a form of sexual assault that involves nonconsensual penetration between parties, often achieved through force or coercion.
- Sexual harassment is unwelcome verbal, physical, or visual sexual advances.
- Stalking is a pattern of behavior that includes following and harassing another person.
- Voyeurism is when someone watches another person in a private or sexual context without them knowing it.
- Exhibitionism is when people expose themselves to another, often in public, without their consent.
- Incest is a form of child sexual abuse that includes sexual contact between family members.
Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur
While sexual abuse can happen anywhere, there are several institutions where they are most likely to occur due to the abuse of power. We handle cases in the following areas.
- Workplace or professional settings;
- Inpatient treatment facilities where constant care and supervision are needed for physical injuries, mental health, and more;
- Prisons, juvenile detention centers, and correctional facilities, which can be both from other inmates and staff members;
- Foster care, which can be from the foster families or their extended network;
- Shelters, which are temporary housing situations;
- Daycare facilities and nursing homes;
- Educational institutions, where child sexual abuse may occur between teachers, students, and peers;
- Religious institutions where people use the power imbalance to their advantage;
- Sports clubs and other activities for an exchange of sexual favors;
- Military institutions, where it is so prevalent, there is a term for military sexual trauma, which can lead to discharge;
- Hotels and short-term rentals, where people are less familiar with the surroundings and can become victims of sexual assault.
This only scratches the surface of the type of sexual assault cases we take at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, and we want to help Arkansas survivors seek justice.
Steps to Take If You Are a Victim
If you are a victim of sexual abuse as an adult or of childhood sexual abuse, you have rights. Consider the following steps to help protect yourself as you start the journey to seek justice.
- Take immediate steps to ensure your personal safety and well-being. If you can, remove yourself from the situation. If that’s not possible, try never to be alone with your abuser. Be in view of any cameras if possible.
- Next, document your abuse. This can be traumatic, but try to write down all the details you can. This includes the dates, times, details, witnesses, and any other pertinent details from when you were sexually abused.
- Call 911. You want to have a record of the sexual assault, even if you don’t want to press charges. As difficult as it may be, do not wash or change, and save any materials with fingerprints, fluids, or other DNA material.
- Contact an experienced sexual abuse attorney. The more documentation you have, the more likely your abuser will be held liable for their abuse. We will review everything to help build a case. Depending on the circumstances, we may file a civil claim or refer you to the police to pursue criminal charges.
- Find a therapist or counselor who can help you process what happened to you. Sexual abuse survivors in Arkansas can access support through Arkansas ACASA, Northwest Arkansas Center for Sexual Assault, Southwest Arkansas Crisis and Resource Center, and other local groups within your area.
Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims
In addition to civil penalties, we help victims recover compensation for their abuse. This can include compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, STD tests and medication, pregnancy costs, and more;
- Emotional trauma, including therapy and counseling costs;
- Pain and suffering;
- Lost wages if your abuse impacted your ability to work
- Punitive damages to deter your abuser or others from doing something similar.
Many factors impact the amount of compensation victims can receive. They include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Abuse severity
- Length of abuse
- Abuse impact on victims
- Victim’s age
- Evidence against the perpetrator
Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases
When it comes to liability in sexual abuse cases, it needs to be shown that the perpetrator is responsible for the victim’s injuries as a result of the non-consensual sexual contact. This can be for both the individual or institutions, which can be held liable for:
- Negligence for not preventing the abuse;
- Failure to report incidents;
- Inadequate responses to complaints.
Institutions can be complicit in the sexual abuse, even if they aren’t the ones perpetuating it. This is because they may create the environments that make abuse possible, including insufficient background checks, poor supervision, and more.
In Arkansas, they can be held vicariously liable, which means they are responsible for another person’s harm, even if they didn’t directly cause it. Institutions can also face repercussions due to Title IX regulations, which include sexual discrimination in educational institutions or other programs that receive federal funding.
We hold all institutions, including religious communities, responsible for the abuse that occurred within their organizations. The unequal power dynamics within the system are partially responsible, and it is our job as attorneys to hold the correct party liable for your personal injuries.
How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case
Our qualified attorneys offer free consultations to help you decide if you would like to pursue legal action. As you consider your options, here’s an overview of how you can pursue a sexual abuse case.
- Gather your evidence, and be as specific as possible. Look for documents or video evidence to support your claims as much as possible.
- Work with your sexual abuse attorney to prove negligence or intentional misconduct, both for the individual and the professional setting. You will likely need to testify if it goes to court, so make sure you feel prepared to answer questions, as it can cause emotional trauma.
- Together, you and your attorneys will demonstrate a link between the abuse, the harm suffered, and the impact it had on your life.
The Role of Arkansas Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Our experienced attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you pursue compensation and get the justice you deserve. We advocate on your behalf and offer legal expertise as you navigate civil lawsuits or criminal proceedings.
We stay up to date on the latest laws and litigation to help protect victims of sexual abuse. Sexual assault is all too prevalent in Arkanasa, and our team of sexual abuse lawyers works hard to get our clients financial compensation for the sexual misconduct they have suffered.
As a sexual abuse survivor, you shouldn’t have to face your abuser alone, and we help vulnerable victims start the journey toward healing.
The Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Arkansas
Arkansas recently made changes to its civil lawsuit statute of limitations when it comes to child sexual abuse. Now, any sexual assault victims can pursue legal action against their abusers and relevant institutions through the age of 55.
This is a huge win. Under the previous statute, they only had until the age of 21 to disclose child sexual violence. As a result of the updated statute, Arkansas also put in place a three-year lookback window for any child abuse victims to file a claim that was previously denied. This window expired in January 2024.
The time limit to file a claim in Arkansas depends on many different factors, including the type of assault, the type of charges you’re pursuing, and more. For most sexual crimes, the statute of limitations can be three or six years, depending on the classification.
There are also exceptions for crimes committed against children. If DNA evidence is uncovered that proves the sexual assault in Arkansas, the statute does not apply.
Contact an Arkansas Sexual Abuse Attorney Today!
Rosenfeld Injury Attorneys are the law firm of choice when it comes to sexual abuse survivors. We help our clients file sexual abuse lawsuits, understand possible criminal penalties, and pursue all possible legal action against their abusers. To date, we have recovered more than $450 million in settlements across different cases involving personal injury and sexual abuse.
Contact us at (888) 424-5757 or fill out the form on our website to receive a free consultation today.
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