Sexual abuse is traumatizing. Legal abuse is pure hell.
Survivors of sexual abuse who enter the legal system without knowing what they’re doing, will likely be revictimized all over again.
What’s worse, they’re also unlikely to get the resources or healing they deserve.
Imagine being violated and re-victimized for the crime of not having a good lawyer!
Sounds dramatic? Think again.
Here’s the brutal reality:
- Only 310 out of 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police
- Of those, many survivors are left to fend for themselves in the legal process
- Survivors without legal representation suffer from revictimization and don’t get the healing and compensation they deserve
- The difference between a skilled sexual abuse attorney and no attorney could be the difference between getting justice and never healing
What you’ll discover:
- The Truth About Legal Representation
- Shocking Statistics About Sexual Abuse
- Criminal vs Civil: Where Can You Sue?
- The Difference A Good Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Make
- Case Results: How Lawyers Helped
The Truth About Legal Representation
Having a qualified legal representative doesn’t just improve your odds of winning, it can change your entire experience.
Sexual abuse cases are inherently complex, emotionally charged, and riddled with specific legal hurdles and unique considerations. While the justice system is designed to provide justice, it is not always easy to navigate. When survivors work with experienced sexual abuse attorneys, they get more than just legal advice.
They get:
- Secondary trauma protection
- Navigation of tricky statutes of limitation
- Maximum possible compensation
- Trauma-informed care and emotional support
Think about it.
Sexual abuse cases are different from other legal issues. They involve delicate testimony, sensitive subject matter, and, all too often, highly powerful and high-resource defendants.
You’re going up against all this without a weapon if you don’t have proper legal counsel. You’re going up against all this without a weapon if you don’t have proper legal counsel, which is why Kayla’s Survivors of St. Louis provides the specialized legal support that can make all the difference in achieving justice.
But there’s a reason experienced sexual abuse lawyers really set themselves apart.
They know exactly how to build these cases for maximum impact. They know how to pressure institutions to settle out of court, where to get expert witnesses, how to argue around tricky evidence issues, and how to pursue every dollar possible in damages. While you focus on healing, these lawyers do everything else.
Shocking Statistics About Sexual Abuse
Allow me to drop a few numbers on you that will leave you reeling…
The problem is staggering:
- There are over 433,000 cases of sexual assault annually in the U.S.
- In the United States, an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds
- In only 12% of child sexual abuse cases do victims report the abuse to the authorities
But when cases do end up in court?
- 99.2% of convicted sexual abuse offenders are sentenced to prison
What does this mean?
The justice system works when sexual abuse cases are properly presented with the correct legal counsel. The number of cases that make it to court is a tiny fraction of the abuse that is happening. The actual percentage that receives convictions is minuscule. But when survivors get the right support, and cases are filed in the right ways, we know the system works.
The gap between these statistics tells us all we need to know:
Most survivors never have the opportunity to pursue justice because they don’t understand their options or lack the right legal representation. That’s where specialized sexual abuse lawyers come in.
Civil vs Criminal: Where Can You Sue?
Here’s something you probably didn’t realize:
There are two completely separate legal paths to take when it comes to pursuing justice for sexual abuse.
Criminal Cases
Criminal cases work like this. The government prosecutes. The government wants to put the abuser in prison. The criminal court system is the system that prosecutes, in other words. Here are the pluses and minuses.
Pros
- Free to you
- Full imprisonment for the abuser
- Public record and thus holds perpetrator publicly accountable
Cons
- Requires a high burden of proof (reasonable doubt is very high)
- Victim has very little control over the case
- No compensation
Civil Cases
Civil cases are where sexual abuse lawyers shine. Here is where you sue the abuser for damages.
Pros
- Lower burden of proof (preponderance of the evidence)
- Control the process
- Financial damages
- Can sue institutions, not just individuals
In reality, most survivors file both criminal and civil lawsuits. The two act in tandem with each other to give survivors public justice (criminal), and personal justice with resources for healing (civil).
The Difference A Good Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Make
Not all lawyers are created equal. Sexual abuse cases require very specific types of attorneys with certain expertise:
- Trauma-informed approaches that keep survivors safe from further secondary trauma during the process
- Complex understanding of how statutes of limitations work that vary by state and situation
- Institution liability when institutions aided and abetted the abuse
- Expertise in the unique lifelong damages that these crimes cause
Here’s what differentiates the very best sexual abuse lawyers from the rest:
They see these cases as about more than legal technicalities. These attorneys focus on helping survivors regain power and resources so that they can heal. This means taking a holistic and integrated approach that treats these cases as more than just dollar amounts and technical legal arguments.
The very best sexual abuse lawyers have the resources to take on wealthy individual defendants, corporations, and major institutions. They know how to level the playing field.
Case Results: How Lawyers Helped
Here is what having the right legal representation looks like in the real world:
Recent Major Settlements and Verdicts
- $116 million settlement for over 100 women who reported being abused at a federal correctional facility
- $177 million verdict against Hyatt Corp. for failure to protect a guest
- $35 million jury verdict for a former high school student abused by her track coach
These cases, and many others like them, are important because they create change. Legal actions against abusers and institutions who allowed abuse force policy changes, better background checks, and new policies.
The ripple effects of these cases can protect future victims and incentivize real changes in the system. Plus, when one survivor takes action, it empowers others to do so.
What Can You Do Now?
Sexual abuse cases are unique. They have unique challenges, but also unique opportunities…
Laws are changing rapidly and, in many states, they’re changing in survivors’ favor. Statutes of limitations are being extended, and in some cases, eliminated. New legal theories open up novel ways for survivors to hold institutions responsible for their role in the abuse that, in many cases, were unavailable 20 or even 10 years ago.
The key is taking action now while evidence is available, witnesses can be interviewed, and legal time limits have not expired.
If you’re thinking of taking legal action, but don’t know where to start. It’s highly recommended calling for a confidential consultation. Most sexual abuse lawyers offer free consultations to understand your legal options and determine if you have a case with no obligation or commitment on your part.
Above all, remember that you are not alone. With the right legal team in your corner, what seems like an insurmountable challenge today can be transformed into a path toward justice and healing.
Wrapping It All Together
The impact of legal representation on sexual abuse cases is not just significant. It’s transformational.
With the right legal team, survivors can:
- Find accountability
- Obtain compensation for medical expenses, therapy, and more
- Force systemic change that protects future victims
- Reclaim their power through the legal process
Without it? Survivors are unlikely to get the justice they deserve. While only 310 out of 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police, those that make it through the legal system with proper representation achieve incredible results.
The choice is yours, but remember: you deserve justice. You deserve compensation. You deserve a legal team that knows the unique challenges and opportunities in sexual abuse cases.
Don’t let another day go by wondering “what if”. Take the first step toward justice and healing today.