What is Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse is any type of nonconsensual or unwanted sexual act that occurs against another. Coercing, intimidating, pressuring, or forcing someone into doing something of a sexual nature that they don’t want to do is considered sexual abuse. Sexual abuse can exist between strangers, coworkers, family members, spouses, or friends. Several different nonphysical and physical acts can be considered sexual abuse, including:

  • Kissing, hugging, or touching without consent
  • Unwanted violent sexual activity
  • Sexual contact with someone unconscious, drugged, or under the influence
  • Physical molestation or sexual assault
  • Statutory rape, rape, or attempted rape

Sexual abusers can target both adults and children. Abusive acts can be nonverbal or verbal. Sexual harassment or discrimination against another is a form of sexual abuse. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse of any kind, a qualified Queens sexual abuse attorney at Parker Waichman LLP can meet with you to discuss your case and how they can help hold your abuser accountable for the harm you have suffered.

Do I Need to Hire a Sexual Abuse Lawyer?

If you or a loved one suffered sexual abuse, you need the assistance of an experienced Queens sexual abuse lawyer who knows how to handle these types of complex cases. At Parker Waichman LLP, our legal team is ready to fight for you.
We have a track record of success that comes from our legal team tailoring each solution to the needs of each client. Our sexual abuse attorneys have several years of negotiation and litigation experience that they will bring to your case.

What Are Common Signs Of Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse is a deeply traumatic experience and may manifest in a variety of signs and symptoms. These signs and symptoms can vary from person to person. It’s important to note that on their own, these signs and symptoms don’t necessarily indicate sexual abuse. However, they can be a potential indicator that someone has experienced abuse.

Common signs include:

  • Unexplained and sudden changes in personality, mood, or behavior
  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Increased aggression
  • Regressive behaviors, such as excessive clinging, thumbsucking, or bedwetting
  • Age-inappropriate knowledge regarding sexual language or anatomy
  • Increased fear and anxiety
  • Nightmares
  • Panic attacks or generalized anxiety
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Insomnia
  • Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
  • Self-harming behavior
  • Difficulty trusting others
  • Engaging in risky behaviors
  • Fear of physical contact

What Compensation Can Victims of Sexual Abuse Recover?

The amount you’ll receive from a settlement or award can vary based on the facts of a case. The long-term impact on the victim’s emotional and mental health, the extent of trauma suffered, and other variables will come into play when negotiating a settlement or when pursuing compensation and justice in court.

The victim of sexual abuse may be entitled to the following types of damages:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Past and future medical bills
  • Past and future lost income
  • Costs of therapy
  • Mental anguish

And other economic and non-economic damages.

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If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or have been injured by another party in some other way, we are here to stand up for your rights. Our personal injury attorneys have been representing injury victims and their families in Long Island and throughout the nation since the early 1980s.

How Can a Queens Sexual Abuse Attorney Help?

As a survivor of sexual abuse, you may not know where to turn or how to hold your abuser accountable for the harm you have suffered. During this painful time, you don’t have to go through the legal process alone. At Parker Waichman LLP, our sexual abuse attorneys can give you the support you need throughout the legal process, guiding and advising you, every step of the way.

During this time, your attorney can also help by:

  • Consulting with experts to determine the compensation you’re entitled to
  • Conducting an investigation
  • Gathering evidence
  • Filing paperwork
  • Interviewing witnesses
  • Negotiating with the proper parties
  • Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to court, if necessary

Criminal Cases vs. Civil Cases for Sexual Abuse

The trauma of sexual abuse can remain with the survivor for many years after the abuse took place, leaving them with mental, emotional, and physical wounds and heavy financial debt.

There are major differences between criminal and civil court proceedings regarding sexual abuse and both types can play a role in the survivor’s healing process.
When criminal charges are filed, they are meant to punish the abuser for the crimes they committed. The abuser may serve time in jail or prison and be required to pay steep fines.

When a survivor files a civil suit, the case is focused on the survivor and the emotional, physical, and financial harm they suffered as a result of the abuse. In civil suits, the survivor can obtain compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages they suffered as a result of the abuse.

Civil trials for sexual abuse are held separately from criminal trials. Even if the abuser is not convicted of sexual abuse in their criminal trial you can still file a civil lawsuit and have your sexual abuse lawyer present your case before a judge and jury. Additionally, the abuser being convicted of sexual abuse in a criminal trial does not guarantee the survivor will win their civil case.

At Parker Waichman LLP, our trial-tested attorneys will aggressively fight for you in court, presenting vital evidence and a compelling argument that will help you obtain the justice and compensation you deserve for the harm you have suffered.

Contact Us Today

The court system can be intimidating and confusing. Having an experienced Queens sexual abuse lawyer can help make the entire process as low-stress as possible. At Parker Waichman LLP, our attorneys can help you report the abuse to authorities so criminal charges can be brought, and they can also assist you with filing a civil lawsuit against the abuser. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced sexual abuse lawyer on our legal team to learn more.
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