Victims of sexual abuse show tremendous courage in revealing that abuse. Some victims refrain from reporting out of fear, not just of retaliation, but because they do not know what happens after you report sexual abuse. After coming forward with sexual abuse allegations, an investigation will be conducted, potentially leading to criminal charges against the abuser.
Our firm has helped over 30,000 clients, and we have the experience needed to lead your fight for justice. Though we are aggressive in our efforts to hold abusers accountable, we will show you the utmost compassion and respect. If you have been abused but are not sure where to turn for help, reach out to a Michigan sexual abuse lawyer.
Move Toward Healing and Justice
The effects of the trauma caused by sexual violence do not just go away after you report sexual abuse. Reporting is an empowering act of courage and one that is important to your recovery. But it also opens the door to potential criminal and civil cases, requiring you to relive your experiences and revisit those traumas in detail.
There are resources providing support for victims of sexual assault, and your attorney can connect you with the options most beneficial to you. If law enforcement pursues criminal charges and if you pursue a civil case, therapy, support groups, or a listening ear at a hotline center can help you work through the emotional turmoil you may experience as you provide evidence and testimony. You deserve to find healing, and our full-service law firm will support you through that process.
While your abuser may be punished through the criminal justice system, you can get more personal justice by filing a personal injury claim against your abuser through the civil system. A Michigan sexual abuse lawyer from our team can manage your case from start to finish. We are committed to fighting for sexual abuse victims and have secured over $1.3 billion in settlements and trial awards.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Reasons to Pursue a Civil Claim After You Report Sexual Abuse
After reporting sexual abuse, victims can be overwhelmed, wondering if they have done the right thing or if pursuing a case will prevent them from putting the abuse behind them and moving on with their lives. Your attorney can put your mind at ease, explaining why sexual abuse victims should pursue personal injury claims.
By pursuing a case, you:
- Expose Abusers: Sexual abusers are cowards. They hide their disgraceful deeds behind secrecy and often maintain that secrecy by threatening or coercing their victims into silence. Through your case, you destroy your abuser’s ability to hide.
- Provide Hope: When you tell your story, you help other victims feel less isolated–they realize they are not alone. This realization may prompt them to report their own abuse and seek recovery.
- Prevent Abuse: Other potential abusers may think twice before hurting someone when they see your abuser facing the consequences of their actions. Additionally, by bringing your abuser’s identity and actions to light, you alert potential victims, giving them the knowledge they need to protect themselves and stay away.
- Can Get Justice: Through a favorable case outcome, you can see compensation for the losses you experienced because of the abuse. And even in a worst-case scenario, you still get to expose the truth about your abuser.
Understanding these effects can provide a sense of purpose and power. Reporting sexual abuse is a critical first step toward healing and justice. Your sexual abuse attorney in Michigan can help with every step that follows.
How a Michigan Sexual Abuse Attorney Will Handle Your Case
Once you report sexual abuse and partner with White Law PLLC, your attorney will tell you what to expect during a sexual abuse lawsuit. First, our team will investigate the situation thoroughly and file your complaint with the court. Then comes the discovery phase of the case, when each side shares information with the other.
Following discovery, your sexual abuse lawyer in Michigan will send a settlement demand to your abuser’s representatives, demanding substantial financial compensation for your losses. Typically, negotiations follow this initial offer. We are strategic, capable negotiators and will work to secure a favorable case outcome through these discussions.
If your abuser refuses to cooperate or make a fair offer, our team will be more than ready to fight for you at trial. We do not want you to get less than you deserve. Abusers must be held accountable, and victims have the right to true financial justice.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
The Fight for Damages
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) explains the comprehensive effects of sexual violence. Victims suffer physically, emotionally, and psychologically, and their suffering can last a lifetime if not treated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recognizes the financial impact of abuse.
Victims may be unable to pursue or keep gainful employment. The abuse may stop them from getting the training they need, cost them time away from work, and affect their job performance. These consequences, according to the CDC, “disrupt earning power and have a long-term effect on the economic well-being of survivors and their families.”
Your attorney will fight to secure damages that cover every loss. We will assess the consequences incurred by your abuse and calculate a just compensation amount. Though every case is different, compensation often covers:
- Related medical costs
- Counseling expenses
- Lost wages for time missed at work
- The value of lost opportunities
- Your physical and emotional suffering and diminished enjoyment of life
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
When You Report Sexual Abuse, We are Here to Help You Fight for Justice
The team at White Law PLLC admires your decision to report sexual abuse and is ready to help you fight for justice. We will lead your fight and stand alongside you for every step in your case’s progress–you can depend on us for personal support as well as exceptional legal representation. Our goal is to help you move closer to healing and get you justice by holding your abuser accountable for the pain they have caused.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
