Arnprior Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Sexual abuse is a profoundly traumatic crime, punishable by significant prison time under the Canadian Criminal Code. In addition to physical injuries, survivors of sexual abuse frequently sustain profound psychological damage as a result of perpetrators’ insidious behaviour. Layers of manipulation are woven into the nature of this crime. Social stigmas and the potential lack of understanding from immediate family and community members may lead survivors of sexual abuse to suffer in silence without stepping forward about the abuse.
About 1 in 10 Canadians report having been abused as children, but only 7% of those cases were brought to police or social services at the time. Sexual abuse cases frequently depend on an imbalanced relationship between victim and perpetrator, in which the perpetrator manipulates a position of trust and authority in order to force sexual behaviour upon the victim. In cases of childhood sexual abuse, common examples of perpetrators include parents, teachers, sports coaches, members of the clergy, or other adults responsible for the care of the minors they target.
At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we believe that no survivor of sexual abuse should have to suffer in silence. There is no statute of limitations on sexual abuse cases in Ontario, which means a survivor may be able to pursue legal action against their perpetrator at any point in time, even if many years have passed since the crime was committed. Contact us today to see what options may be available to you, and see how our Arnprior sexual abuse lawyers might be able to help.
Financial Compensation for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is a criminal act. Therefore, survivors of this crime have the option of filing a criminal lawsuit against perpetrators. If convicted, the perpetrator may face substantial periods of incarceration. However, something many survivors of sexual abuse may not know is that they might be eligible to pursue a civil claim in an attempt to recover financial compensation.
Sexual abuse against both children and adults can have profoundly adverse effects on survivors. Social isolation, the stigmatization of this crime in particular, as well as the potentially complex contexts of the relationship between victim and perpetrator may compound to inflict further psychological injuries upon a survivor.
Common mental health conditions that survivors of sexual assault may experience as a result of their trauma include:
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- High stress levels
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Suicidal ideation
- Substance abuse
- Addiction
- And more.
Treatment, in the form of psychological counseling, rehabilitation work, prescription medications, and more can add up to very costly sums. As a result of their trauma, survivors of sexual abuse may need to take time away work, thereby losing income. The trauma may impact their very ability to retain work in their given field, or perhaps any field at all.
By filing a civil claim against the perpetrator and/or their employer, survivors of sexual abuse may be able to retrieve financial compensation to help cover costs incurred as a result of the injuries they sustained. Contact our Arnprior sexual abuse lawyers today to learn more, including what compensation may be available to you.
Call Our Arnprior Sexual Abuse Lawyers Today
It takes tremendous courage to step forward with a sexual abuse claim, and we at Preszler Injury Lawyers respect the sensitive nature of such cases. Our Arnprior sexual abuse lawyers are dedicated to serving our clients with compassion and diligence. Contact us online or call us at 1-800-JUSTICE today to schedule a free, no obligation, initial consultation and see how we might be of service to you.
