Sexual abuse or assault is a crime. Though it may bring you some satisfaction to see someone who hurt you charged criminally, you have the right to seek personal and financial justice by pursuing a case in civil court with help from a Farmington Hills personal injury lawyer from White Law PLLC.
Our team of civil litigators will fight for acknowledgment of the harm you have endured and hold the person and any complicit parties responsible for their actions or negligence. So far, we have secured over 1.4 billion in damages for deserving clients.
We understand the devastation of sexual abuse and fully realize how daunting the thought of pursuing a civil claim may seem. But we also know standing up to your abuser and demanding accountability can restore your sense of control and empowerment. Trust a strong, compassionate Farmington Hills sexual abuse lawyer from our team to handle your case with the utmost respect while fighting aggressively for justice.
The Facts About Sexual Abuse
Tragically, sexual abuse can affect people of any gender or age. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), every 68 seconds an American experiences sexual abuse, and every nine minutes, the victim is a child. More specific RAINN statistics show:
- Nationwide, there are approximately 463,634 rapes or sexual assaults of victims 12 years old or older
- Those aged 12-34 face the highest risk
- 82% of juvenile and 90% of adult victims are female
- Females aged 16-19 face the risk of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault at a rate four times higher than other populations
- Female college students aged 18-24 are three times more likely than women of other ages to experience sexual violence, and 18-24-year-old women not in college are four times more likely
- 3% of American males have been victims of sexual violence
- One in ten rape victims is male
- 21% of transgender, genderqueer, or nonconforming (TGQN) college students have experienced sexual assault. Assault of non-TGQN females is 18% and 4% for non-TBQN males
Though less likely than younger people to experience it, older adults in the country and in Michigan can be victims of sexual assault and abuse. As for children, RAINN reports one in nine girls and one in 20 boys under age 18 are victims.
According to research on Child Sexual Abuse and Neglect published by the National Institute of Health (NIH), 26% of girls and 5% of boys experience sexual abuse by the time they reach adulthood.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
How Sexual Abuse Happens
Unfortunately, sexual abuse can happen even in apparently “safe” environments. In recent years, news of sexual abuse by trusted clergy has increased significantly, and victims have sought help from a Farmington Hills clergy sex abuse lawyer from White Law PLLC. Other places or situations where abuse can occur include:
- On a “date,” if one partner refuses to stop sexual activity despite the other’s protests or acts without consent from that partner
- In the home, children can experience abuse at the hands of their own parents or caregivers, and adult victims by their partners
- In schools, daycares, or summer camps by other students, teachers, or counselors
- In professional situations, a colleague or boss can inflict abuse on an employee, or doctors can abuse patients, among other examples
- In nursing homes, older or more vulnerable adults can be preyed upon
- At Michigan colleges
Sexual assault can also happen at the hands of a stranger, though most often, victims know their abuser. According to RAINN’s statistics on perpetrators, in eight of every ten rapes, the victims know their rapist. Of the juvenile sexual abuse cases reported to law enforcement, 93% of victims knew their attacker.
We’re not just lawyers. We’re passionate advocates who will ensure that your voice is heard and your rights are protected.
Count on White Law PLLC to Fight Hard for You
A Farmington Hills sexual abuse attorney from our team will put the full power of our firm’s knowledge, experience, and resources into fighting for you. Your attorney and our team take each case personally. We recognize what your sexual abuser has cost you and want to facilitate as much healing as possible.
Your attorney will listen to you, offer support, and direct you to additional resources. After hearing your story, we will investigate your situation thoroughly to determine who bears liability. Sometimes, the perpetrator is the only person responsible, but other times, third parties hold culpability too–for example:
- School personnel or other mandatory reporters may not have reported signs of child sexual abuse
- Employers or companies may have failed to follow up on reports of abuse, failed to properly vet the perpetrator before hiring, or failed to create safe working environments
- Business or apartment complexes may not have instituted appropriate security measures to deter attacks
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Compensation for Sexual Abuse Survivors
There are a variety of reasons for sexual abuse victims to pursue a personal injury claim. By holding an accuser publicly accountable, you expose their appalling behavior and may prompt other potential abusers to rethink their abusive plans. You also warn others of the perpetrator’s capabilities, helping protect them from harm.
A settlement–or a favorable verdict, should your case go to trial–also gives you damages. This monetary sum can cover your financial losses and work to acknowledge the emotional injuries you have suffered. Each case is different, and while your sexual abuse attorney in Farmington Hills will attend to the specifics of your situation, you can expect your attorney to seek coverage of or recognition for:
- Medical costs for injuries or diseases incurred by the abuse
- Counseling costs
- Lost income if the abuse left you unable to work for a time–or permanently
- Psychological distress
- Lost quality of life
In addition to the above damages in a sex abuse case, you may be eligible for punitive damages. Punitive damage further punish abusers for their egregious acts. If your case warrants punitive damages, you can trust your Farmington Hills sexual abuse lawyer to seek them.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Our Team Is on Your Side
You can depend on empathy, loyalty, and fierce representation from the team at White Law PLLC. Our goal is to help you heal by holding your abuser accountable and making them pay for the harm they have caused.
A Farmington Hills sexual abuse lawyer is ready to help you retake control of your life and look toward the bright future ahead.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
