Sexual Assault Against Disabled Or Impaired Victims
Sexual assault is one of the most vicious criminal offenses one can perpetrate, because unlike homicide, the victim survives the assault, and must live with the memory of violation. This is even more true when the victim is disabled or temporarily impaired, because they usually can neither consent nor defend themselves from attack.
If you or a loved one has been victimized in this way, know that it was not your fault, and that you have the right to seek justice for what you have experienced. The Birmingham sexual assault attorneys from Goldasich, Vick & Fulk can help you through the criminal process, or can help you bring a civil suit for damages against your alleged attacker. We are here to help.
Disabled People At “Significantly Higher” Risk
The statistics on sexual assault in the United States are grim: the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) estimates that 1 in every 6 women in the U.S. has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape. Some type of sexual assault, whether rape, statutory rape, or another act, is attempted every 68 seconds, and according to recent studies, disabled people are at “significantly higher” rates of victimization, regardless of age, gender, or locale.
These statistics may deter some from reporting the crime, but it is not necessary to report an alleged offense to law enforcement in order to bring a civil lawsuit against an alleged abuser. While money cannot, of course, bring back a survivor’s sense of safety, it can help pay medical bills and allow time to get back to a degree of normalcy.
A Civil Suit May Be Possible
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual assault, it can feel too tired, too overwhelming, too pointless to report the offense, particularly if the victim was disabled or impaired, but doing so can make a significant difference in a survivor’s well-being. Even if you choose not to make a criminal report, seeking money damages can give your family a sense of catharsis.
One important thing to keep in mind, if you are unsure whether or not to file in civil court, is that the standard of evidence is lower there. A person may be found liable in a civil lawsuit in Alabama if it is found “more likely than not” that they were negligent; this differs significantly from criminal court’s requirement of guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
You Do Not Have To Face This Alone
There are moments where a survivor of sexual assault can feel very alone and afraid, but you do not have to navigate the aftermath on your own. A Birmingham sexual abuse attorney from Goldasich, Vick & Fulk can help guide you through the legal process to try and get you the closure you deserve. We are ready and willing to try to help. Contact our office today at (205) 731-2566 to schedule a consultation.
Source:
rainn.org/facts-statistics-the-scope-of-the-problem/statistics-the-criminal-justice
