Hamilton Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Among the most traumatic, devastating crimes, sexual abuse is an indictable offence under the Canadian Criminal Code, punishable with substantial time in prison. It is also disturbingly common in Canada. In a recent study, it was found that about 1 in 10 Canadians had been the targets of sexual abuse when they were minors. Despite this worrisome statistic, the vast majority of sexual abuse cases never reach the attention of police or social services.
There are many reasons why survivors of sexual abuse may not disclose the abuse while it is happening, or indeed for a long time after. The majority of abusers are close to the individuals they choose to target, be it through familial, professional, or social ties. The abuser may be a parent or guardian, for instance, or a trusted teacher that takes advantage of their position of authority in order to engage sexual activity with a minor. Victims are often dependent on their abuser in some way, thereby making it very challenging to come forward and speak out about their experience.
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, even if the crime took place many years ago, you may be eligible for compensation for the financial losses you have incurred as a result of your injuries. This may mean covering the costs of psychological counseling, prescription medication, medical bills, income you have lost as a result of your trauma, and more.
Each case is unique. Our team of Hamilton sexual abuse layers are dedicated to providing compassionate, transparent, detail-oriented service to our clients. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation and see how Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help you.
The Effects of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is a continued pattern of sexual violation. It can have profoundly life-altering adverse effects on a survivor. A common underpinning of sexual abuse is the abuser’s manipulation of power, typically by abusing their position of trust and authority in order to coerce their victim into participating in unwanted sexual activities. Targets of sexual abuse are often vulnerable members of society, such as children, the elderly, or individuals in positions of financial, professional, or physical dependence on the abuser.
Because sexual abuse typically involves a series of events in which the abuser “grooms” their target into accepting increasing sexual behaviour, there may be a wide range of actions that contribute to the crime. Among the most severe are:
- Sexual assault
- Physical assault
- Verbal harassment
- Stalking
- Voyeurism
- Threats
- Indecent exposure
- And more
It has been reported that survivors of sexual abuse have a higher likelihood of developing mental health conditions as a result of their trauma. This may include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In efforts to self-medicate or cope with the emotional burden of the crime wrought against them, survivors of sexual abuse show a higher rate of turning to addictive behaviours such as substance abuse. Likewise, high stress levels associated with the trauma, social stigma, and secrecy associated with surviving abuse can cause survivors to develop medical conditions like hypertension and heart disease.
Contact Our Hamilton Sexual Abuse Lawyers Today
At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we believe that survivors of sexual abuse deserve to understand their legal rights. We are committed to helping our clients recover the compensation they are legally owed, which may help replace a number of financial losses incurred as a result of a perpetrator’s criminal conduct.
To speak through the details of your case, and learn more about options available to you, contact us online or call us at 1-800-JUSTICE to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation, and see how our Hamilton sexual abuse lawyers may be of service to you.
