Virginia Child Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Are you seeking more information about civil claims for a sexual assault? If so, please call MartinWren, P.C to speak with one of our Virginia child sexual abuse attorneys who can provide you with free advice on whether or not you can recover compensation.
Sexual assault is a traumatizing experiencing and can only be truly understood by someone who has had it happen to them. Unfortunately, a majority of victims never come forward, which means the perpetrator walks free. When victims do build the courage to speak up, criminal charges might be filed and the perpetrator may be punished by the state. What many victims don’t realize is that their legal feat doesn’t have to stop there. In fact, it may be possible to take civil action too. This would mean that monetary compensation could be received by the victim.
To pursue this type of case, it is advisable to have experienced Virginia child sexual abuse attorneys on your side. Call MartinWren, P.C now.
Understanding Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is considered to be any kind of advancement, contact, or coercion that is unwanted and sexual in nature. Furthermore, it happens without the consent of the other person. Examples of sexual abuse include, but are not limited to:
- Molestation
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Indecent exposure
- Child pornography
- Rape
- Attempted rape
- Groping
- Sexual harassment
- Forcible sodomy or intercourse
- + More
People of every age can be sexually assaulted. Many victims are children and elderly who might feel as if they don’t have a voice. All too often victims are fearful in reporting the assault because of:
- Uncomfortable talking about the incident
- Embarrassment
- Denial about what happened
- Extreme trauma and anguish
- Fear of reprisal or vengeance
- Fear that they won’t be taken seriously
Any survivor of a sexual assault has the right to take criminal and civil action against the perpetrator. The Virginia child sexual abuse attorneys at MartinWren, P.C understand how difficult it is to stand up and come forward. Rest assured, we will work with your best interests in mind. Furthermore, we will give you the respect you deserve and seek to make this process as easy and comfortable as possible.
Compensation for Victims
The criminal justice system is known to fail victims of a sexual assault. Even when perpetrators are convicted, there is very little emphasis or attention put on the needs of victims. These acts cause extreme damage which is often long-lasting if not life long. Our Virginia child sexual abuse attorneys will be prepared to seek damages for:
- Medical bills
- Therapy or counseling
- Lost wages due to the inability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and mental anguish
MartinWren, P.C: We Are Here for You
While we cannot change the past, we may be able to make the healing process easier. Our firm is committed to holding perpetrators, and any institutions who may be protecting them, responsible for their wrongdoings.
If you or a family member has been sexually assaulted, we would like to help you seek justice. For a consultation with one of our Virginia child sexual abuse attorneys, please call MartinWren, P.C to confidentially discuss your rights and options.
Nothing is more heinous for a victim, a family, and even a community than the sexual abuse of a child. Sexual abuse of children can create lifelong emotional, physical, and psychological injuries, and these can create enduring complications for children with their relationships and their view of themselves.
Virginia has strengthened its laws in favor of civil plaintiffs in child sex abuse claims. To begin with, Virginia’s General Assembly recently expanded the time that a victim of sexual abuse has to file a sexual abuse claim against their attacker. Under Virginia’s current statute of limitations, a victim of sexual abuse may have decades after the abuse occurs to file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator.
In addition to suing the person who committed the sexual abuse against a child, the circumstances of the abuse may permit a lawsuit to proceed against the defendant’s employer or the owner of the property where the abuse occurred. Such claims against parties other than the attacker typically arise against schools, churches, childcare centers, or other institutions due to abuse committed by teachers, coaches, priests, clergy members, or other employees. There may also be claims against employers or other parties who owed a special duty to the victim but failed to take reasonable steps to protect the victim from the abuse.
Additionally, in cases where abuse occurred over a prolonged period of time due to repeated or multiple instances of abuse, it may be the case that someone associated with or close to the attacker was aware of the abuse, or should have been aware of the abuse, but failed to take steps to stop it from occurring. In these situations, it may be possible to proceed with a lawsuit against that party for failure to take steps to prevent or stop the abuse from occurring.
Claims against the abuser may proceed on a number of legal theories, including assault and battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED). Similarly, the victim of sexual abuse may have claims against employers and other institutional defendants for a variety of negligence-based causes of action, including negligent hiring, negligent supervision, or negligent retention.
The Virginia child sexual abuse attorneys of MartinWren, P.C. are particularly sensitive when pursuing childhood sexual abuse claims, especially when the victim of the abuse is currently a small child. Our lawyers take special steps to prevent additional harms or injuries from occurring to the sex abuse victim, and we seek, to the greatest extent possible, to minimize the involvement of the child and cooperate with close family members, police, prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and other individuals who are able to provide necessary evidence and information to pursue a civil complaint against wrongdoers.
If you, one of your children or family members, or a close family friend have been a victim of childhood sexual abuse, it is important that understand and preserve the rights that are available to you. To learn about your rights and to see if you have a civil claim for sexual abuse that has occurred, please contact Robert E. Byrne, Jr. or Jonathan T. Wren, MartinWren, P.C.’s Virginia child sex abuse attorneys. Our representations are free, are highly confidential, and will inform you of your options for proceeding.
You will not owe any legal fees unless we recover money for you.