Sexual abuse can be devastating, especially in a society that does not often show support to survivors. Our Waterford sexual abuse lawyer at White Law PLLC has dedicated years of education and experience to supporting survivors of sexual abuse in telling their stories while seeking justice and accountability for the person who abused them. Our Waterford personal injury lawyer and their team are prepared to support you when you feel ready to come forward.
We like to think of our team as lawyers and advocates. This shows in our practice in the way we prioritize client needs, including ease of communication and record-keeping, by being a paperless practice. From the start, you will know who your attorney is and work with them directly through your case.
Examining Sexual Abuse in Waterford
Sexual abuse happens in every community across Michigan. When we talk about sexual assault, it is critical to understand how prevalent the problem is in Waterford and any other city. The Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) reports that an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds, and out of the 10% of reported assaults, only about 2.5% of sexual abusers will end up in prison.
Conviction and incarceration rates are dishearteningly low, and this can often be attributed to how the justice system treats survivors and handles cases. It is not uncommon for survivors to report concerns they will not be believed. Additionally, you may not want to face additional traumatization from retelling your story or facing criticism from defense attorneys.
Survivors face countless social, emotional, and interpersonal challenges when they come forward. It is horrific to think that someone in your community is committing such a heinous act, and the discomfort others experience from this knowledge can lead to the survivor feeling distanced from their family, friends, and community. The strain this experience places on survivors and their relationships will often lead them to recant their disclosure or decide to drop charges.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Understanding Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse covers a broad range of behaviors. While most people think it refers explicitly to penetrative rape, survivors know that countless other behaviors can feel just as violating. An important note when we discuss what meets the legal definition of sexual abuse is that, in Michigan, minors are unable to consent, meaning any of the below examples will almost always apply to minors:
- Any form of sexual contact without consent is sexual assault or abuse whether the person withdrew consent, did not give consent, or was unable to due to incapacitation, inebriation, or legal standing
- Coerced sexual contact through persistent asking
- Coercion through abuse of power, a situation that our clergy abuse lawyer often sees
- Groping or fondling for sexual gratification
- Unwanted sexually explicit messages, statements, or videos
- Subjecting someone to self-stimulation for sexual gratification
Statutory Rape
The term ‘statutory rape’ essentially refers to sexual contact or intercourse where the younger or more vulnerable party technically consents but who is otherwise not legally able to do so. Examples of this in Michigan include individuals under the age of 16 as designated by Section 750.520d of Michigan Legislation.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Why You need a Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Many survivors tell us that their decision to pursue legal action against the person who abused them is a way to regain their power and ensure they are heard. Some say that they feel a sense of closure regardless of the outcome. When you choose to contact a sexual abuse attorney in Waterford, MI, there are many ways we can help, including:
- We act as a point of contact and buffer for all interactions regarding your case. This allows us to handle calls and needs up front and prepare you for anything you need to do before you are required to engage
- Legal literacy in sexual abuse cases
- Our firm knows what to look for while we investigate your abuse to build a case
- We may have referrals to resources like counseling, physical therapists, and medical providers who specialize in working with survivors of sexual abuse
- We attend meetings, depositions, or court when you are required to attend, providing legal guidance and moral support
Trauma-Informed Representation
At White Law PLLC, we understand the importance of trauma-informed representation in sexual abuse cases. We find that taking the time to train our team on how sexual trauma can affect a person allows us to tailor our approach to your needs as well as identify critical pieces of your case that those less informed may miss.
Engaging in a lawsuit for sexual abuse can be grueling, requiring you to bring up difficult memories and complicated, painful feelings. When you have the representation of a Waterford sexual abuse attorney, you have someone on your side. We know that the abuse you were forced to endure was not your fault.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Compensation in a Waterford Sexual Abuse Case
Your motivation for pursuing a civil lawsuit against the person who abused you may be for financial compensation or accountability and closure. Regarding compensation, many components of valuing and assessing damages in a sexual abuse case make it nearly impossible to value without thorough consideration. However, some of the more common considerations you may discuss with our sexual abuse attorney in Waterford, MI, include the following:
- Medical costs
- Mental health therapy costs
- Physical therapy costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income or earning potential
- Decreased quality of life
Some examples of qualifying medical and therapy costs may include treatment for STDs, injuries sustained during the abuse, or longer-term ramifications of what happened to you. These may include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, pelvic floor issues, or eating disorders. You can speak with your lawyer to determine the exact types of damages appropriate for your case.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Call a Sexual Abuse Lawyer in Waterford, MI, Today
If you have survived sexual abuse at any point in your life, you deserve to explore your options for legal recourse. When you call White Law PLLC, you can schedule a free case consultation. This meeting provides time to discuss the details of your case and determine your best legal option with no obligation to move forward.
The decision to come forward is personal and may take time following your abuse. However, our team is committed to supporting abuse survivors and the road to recovery. So call our sexual abuse lawyer in Waterford, MI, today.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
