Richmond Hill Sexual Assault Lawyer
Sexual activity is only legal if all parties involved offer consent. Consent is a clearly understood, active, and– importantly– revocable agreement between two adults. While engaging in any kind of sexual activity, partners have the right to withdraw consent at any time if they no longer wish to proceed.
If a person engages in any form of sexual conduct without consent or after consent has been withdrawn by their partner, they have committed sexual assault. This simple fact is often contrary to commonly held misconceptions, false beliefs, and toxic “rape myths” that are still woefully prevalent throughout society at large. Dispelling myths about sexual assault is a crucial step towards its future prevention.
While sexual assault can be perpetrated against strangers by unknown assailants, the overwhelming majority of assault victims had a personal, pre-existing relationship with their abuser before the time of their attack. More than 80% of sexual assaults are committed by dating, married, and common-law partners.
Anyone can be the victim of sexual assault, regardless of gender identity, sexuality, race, culture, socieconomic status, or other distinguishing factor. Approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men throughout Canada have been the victims of sexual violence.
Unfortunately, many victims of sexual assault suffer in silence. For a number of understandable reasons, many people who have been abused or assaulted choose not to come forward and speak out about the trauma they have endured, especially if they were assaulted by a romantic partner, family members, or someone close to them.
Sadly, this often means that, in addition to enduring the emotional and psychological burden of their trauma alone, sexual assault victims who do not choose to pursue damages from their assailant often incur substantial financial losses. Since sexual assault survivors often require ongoing, long-term psychological counselling, psychiatric treatment, and other forms of guidance over lengthy periods of time, the costs they are often required to spend to fully heal from their traumatic experience can be significant.
It can take monumental courage to speak out about a past experience with sexual assault. Our Richmond Hill sexual assault lawyers fully appreciate the bravery and emotional fortitude required to begin speaking about these traumatizing experiences. Our sexual assault lawyers serving Richmond Hill have a reputation for listening to the clients we represent with compassion, sensitivity, patience, and understanding. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we are not only committed to helping the people we represent recover the compensation they deserve, but also to bringing perpetrators of sexual assault in our community to justice.
There is no statute of limitations on sexual assault claims in Ontario. That means that, even if your assault occurred years in the past, you may still be able to work with our Richmond Hill sexual assault lawyers. By pursuing a civil claim against the person who assaulted you, you may be able to recover compensation for damages you have incurred. These might include:
- Psychological counseling
- Psychiatric treatment
- Prescription medication
- Failure to reach potential
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Loss of interdependent relationship
- And possibly more
It is only natural to have questions about pursuing a civil claim. That is why our sexual assault lawyers serving Richmond Hill offer all prospective clients a free initial consultation. To receive personalized feedback about your case, call Preszler Injury Lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICE.
Book Your Free Initial Consultation Today
During a free initial consultation with our Richmond Hill sexual assault lawyers, you will have the opportunity to discuss your case with caring and compassionate legal professionals, receive personalized legal advice about options for financial recovery that might be available to you, and learn the ways in which Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to provide you with assistance.
To schedule your cost-free, no-obligation first consultation with our sexual assault lawyers serving Richmond Hill, contact us today.
