Bracebridge Sexual Abuse Lawyer

No one should be forced to suffer the long-term consequences of sexual abuse. Unfortunately, the lived realities of countless adults are negatively influenced by the past actions of criminal abusers. 

According to information published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, there is a strong association between childhood sexual abuse and severe mental health conditions, including suicidal ideations and attempts. If you are in distress, call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-888-456-4566.

Anyone can be the victim of sexual violence. Regardless of gender, race, class, culture, socioeconomic background, or upbringing, children can fall prey to the whims of sexual abusers. No victim of sexual abuse is to blame for their experience, nor should they face the consequences of someone else’s crimes alone. 

In addition to seeking psychological counseling, hospital-based treatments, and social support from trusted friends, family members, and loved ones, survivors of sexual abuse may be eligible to pursue legal restitution. By working with our Bracebridge sexual assault lawyers, people who have survived sexual abuse may be able to pursue damages against the person who abused them and even against their employer (depending on the circumstances of their individual situation). 

To learn more about options that might be available to you, contact our sexual abuse lawyers serving Bracebridge for a free initial consultation. To speak with Preszler Injury Lawyers about your situation in a confidential, obligation-free first meeting, call 1-800-JUSTICE today.

What is Sexual Abuse?

Certain adults who hold positions of trust or authority as well as those upon whom children are dependent choose to exploit the power imbalance between themselves and the minors in their care for their own sexual gain. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the abuser is someone who is known to and trusted by the victim and their family.

Sexual abusers take advantage of the trust placed in them by their targets, the authority afforded to them by their age or occupation, or their victims’ dependency upon them in order to coerce, manipulate, threaten, bribe, or otherwise convince a child to participate in sexual acts against their will. Children are not legally able to provide consent for sexual activities, nor can teenagers consent to engaging in sexual activities with an adult in a position of power. Sexual exploitation is an indictable offence, and can be punishable by imprisonment. 

Common examples of adults who use their positions to exploit and/or abuse the children or vulnerable adults in their care often include:

• Teachers
• Religious leaders
• Sports coaches
• Camp counselors
• Juvenile detention centre guards
• Extra-curricular programme volunteers
• Foster parents
• Psychiatric hospital staff
• And more

Seeking Retribution for Sexual Abuse

Adults who were sexually abused as children have a higher prevalence for self-reported mental health conditions than those who were not exploited in their youth and are twice as likely to develop substance abuse problems than non-vicitms. Coping with the trauma of their past can be painful, stressful, and expensive. Many survivors of sexual abuse are unable to complete higher education or vocational training as a result of the trauma they endured. Still more find it impossible to retain steady employment. Had it not been for the actions of a predator, the quality of survivors’ lives would most certainly have been higher. 

Our Bracebridge sexual abuse lawyers work with eligible members of the local community to help re-balance the scales. By filing a civil claim against abusers and/or their employers, we strive to help their victims recover the compensation they deserve. Depending on the degree to which your life has been impacted by the actions of a criminal, our sexual abuse lawyers serving Bracebridge may be able to help you recover damages that include:

• Past and future costs of psychological treatments
• Failure to reach potential
• Lost wages
• Reduced future earning capacity 
• Loss of interdependent relationship
• Prescriptions
• Pain and suffering
• And possibly more

Contact Our Bracebridge Sexual Abuse Lawyers Today

If you are thinking about coming forward to speak out against the abuse to which you were subjected, many questions must be running through your mind. Our sexual abuse lawyers serving Bracebridge offer all prospective clients a free initial consultation, during which we can provide sensitive, confidential, and personalized legal advice about your case.

To learn more about how Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help you pursue the justice you deserve, call 1-800-JUSTICE today and speak with our Bracebridge sexual abuse lawyers.