If you or someone you know suffered child sexual assault, a North Carolina child sexual assault lawyer can help. We assist victims by connecting them to care centers and support groups and can gather the evidence needed to file a civil claim for damages or a criminal case against the perpetrators accused of abusing them. With years of experience in this field, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you deal with past trauma and look forward to the future. Call us today at (800) 219-9622.
Types of Sexual Assault
Sexual assault comprises many types of actions. All types, however, hold one thing in common: They happen against the victim’s will or without their consent. Sexual assault also covers actions that occur when an individual is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, disabled, or below the age of consent in the state where the assault transpired.
The National Institute of Justice lists the following activities as forms of sexual assault when they happen in the above circumstances:
- Intentionally touching the victim’s genitals, breasts, groin, or anus
- Exposing the victim to exhibitionisms
- Exposing the victim to pornography
- Voyeurism
- Publicly displaying images taken of the victim in a “private context” or without their knowledge
These actions may or may not involve the use of actual force, weapons, threats of force, intimidation, coercion, or pressure.
Rape
Although in some states, sexual assault stops short of attempted rape or rape, other states use the terms interchangeably, and still others consider rape to be a form of sexual assault. In a situation of rape, the victim suffers nonconsensual penetration (vaginal, anal, or oral), either by objects or the perpetrator’s body parts. This type of assault involves physical force or threats of physical harm. Alternatively, the victim is considered a minor or was incapacitated at the time of the assault.
The Magnitude of the Issue
Child sexual abuse is a major public health concern. Many children either wait a long time to report instances of abuse or never report them at all. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Roughly 25% of all girls and 8% of all boys suffer some form of sexual abuse in childhood.
- Over 90% of all child sexual abuse cases are perpetrated by someone known to the child or his or her family.
- The economic burden of child sexual abuse in the United States is over $9 billion every year, and this is very likely a huge underestimation since child sexual abuse goes highly underreported.
For a free legal consultation with a North Carolina Child Sexual Assault Lawyer serving nationwide, call (800) 219-9622
Impacts on Victims
It is not uncommon for people who experienced child sexual abuse to say they suffered an adverse childhood experience, or ACE. According to Mayo Clinic, child abuse can lead to short- and long-term physical, emotional, and mental issues, including:
- Chronic conditions including heart disease and obesity
- Depression
- PTSD
- Substance abuse
- Unplanned pregnancies
- Bodily injuries
- Risky sexual behavior
- Heightened risk of suicide
- Revictimization in adulthood
Females who suffered sexual abuse in childhood are up to 13 times more likely to face sexual victimization once they attain adulthood than those who were not abused. Men and women who suffered childhood sexual abuse are between six and nine times more likely than those who were not abused to attempt suicide once they become adults.
Is it not only fair that you get–or at least have the opportunity to pursue–compensation and justice that is rightfully owed to you?
This is our commitment to you. A North Carolina child sexual assault lawyer will evaluate the circumstances surrounding your childhood sexual assault at no upfront cost and in total privacy and confidentiality. We will then walk you through your options, including how much you might be able to seek in awards, what kinds of evidence we need to gather, whether an out-of-court settlement might suit you better than a court trial, and what you need to do to begin the next chapter of your life. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free consultation.
North Carolina Child Sexual Assault Lawyer Near Me (800) 219-9622
Challenges for Victims of Child Sexual Assault
There are many gaps in the prevention of child sexual abuse, but adults in the community can work to ensure that children are provided with environments and relationships that are safe, stable, and nurturing. There are many government and private resources available for child sexual abuse that can help rehabilitate you and seek justice against your alleged perpetrators.
Legal services are an important part of this effort, and we aim to help every one of our clients recover financial awards, connect to treatment and care facilities, and demand justice–including punishment, when appropriate–for the violence, assault, mental intimidation, or sexual abuse of predators against children.
A major hurdle to the eradication of child abuse in society is the interrelated and overlapping nature of relationships and circles of violence that children often find themselves trapped in. A child may face sexual abuse at home but may not have a trusted adult to help with aid and prevention. Many forms of violence happen in public organizations such as churches and youth groups where peer pressure, intimidation, and bullying draw victims into a vicious circle of varying forms of violence.
Breaking free from any form of violence–especially sexual assault–can be very difficult, but we handle these types of interconnected sexual assault cases that involve parents, caretakers, teachers, faith leaders, and others. We will discreetly manage your case so that your privacy is protected as much as possible and that your abuser is brought to justice.
Click to contact our North Carolina Child Sexual Assault Lawyers today
Moving Forward
Revisiting past traumas is never easy, and many people shy away and hide from reopening past wounds. This is understandable, but unfortunately, it is what all too many abusers count on to stay under the radar and out of the law’s reach. Unless a victim or his or her legal guardian comes forward with a claim regarding sexual assault, violence, or illegal activity of any other type, there is not much that can be done in terms of seeking justice or compensation for your losses.
Only you can truly understand your goals and motives behind revisiting your traumatic assault experience. Perhaps it is a desire to see justice served or to receive compensation that the law entitles you to. In many cases, victims of sexual assault only come forward–at great expense and pain to themselves–so that future instances of abuse can be prevented and that serial abusers can be held accountable.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Call Today for a Free Case Review
We understand these motives and wholeheartedly accept your desires and believe in your ambitions. We will do everything in our power to make things right and to help you file and pursue a child sexual assault case until a settlement is reached with the accused or the case is decided by the court.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. Connect with a North Carolina child sexual assault lawyer for legal help. Please call (800) 219-9622 so we can get started on your case right away.
Call or text (800) 219-9622 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
