Sexual abuse is rampant in our society, whether we consider children who are abused or adults who have been assaulted or otherwise exploited in relationships through patterns of sexual abuse. Recovering from these situations is not an easy task, and it takes many survivors months or years to come forward. At White Law PLLC, our Pontiac personal injury lawyer and team stand beside survivors of sexual abuse and help them speak out and reclaim their narratives.
Our firm has a passion for helping survivors make their own decisions on how they want to pursue justice in their sexual abuse cases. We have decades of experience, and our founder James has focused much of that experience on class action lawsuits and sexual abuse cases. With a Pontiac sexual abuse lawyer on your side, you know you will get a person-first model of service.
Sexual Abuse in the United States
Sexual assault and abuse in the United States happens several times per hour. Someone is sexually assaulted in the United States every 68 seconds, according to the Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN). Even with the more than 1200 assaults per day, only about 25 of the perpetrators will see a conviction.
Understanding how we categorize and define sexual violence and sexual abuse is a large part of fully understanding how a case may be pursued or tried. When defining sexual assault, the state of Michigan considers the nuance of sexual assault and abuse and extends the definition beyond the standard penetrative assault. Michigan includes behaviors such as revenge porn and intimate partner violence in its understanding of sexual assault.
Regarding sexual abuse of children, the definition is slightly broader in that a child is not legally able to consent, so any type of sexual conversation or behavior with a child can be considered abuse. Regarding statistics of children and teens, RAINN reports that 93% of perpetrators are known to their victims.
Language Around Sexual Assault
A point we feel compelled to address regarding sexual abuse and the legal process is the language used when we refer to the person who was abused. In many ways, survivor is a more appropriate choice as it focuses on empowerment as the identity, instead of the helplessness sometimes perceived from the word victim. The legal process tends to use the label of victim, and therefore, the terminology is necessary at times.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Why Choose White Law as Your Sexual Abuse Representation
White Law PLLC has a long-standing history of fighting for survivors of sexual violence and abuse. Our clergy sexual abuse lawyer has aggressively pursued cases for survivors, and our firm recently received a case result of over $800 million in a global settlement regarding the sexual abuse from Larry Nassar. These victories are in addition to our efforts to end sexual assaults at colleges in Michigan and cases we have tried relating to campus assault.
Our Pontiac sexual abuse attorney is committed to giving a voice to survivors and helping them seek justice. As a firm, we are focused on ensuring survivors know their legal options and rights following the assault. This includes encouraging our clients to take the lead in their cases.
Our team has decades of combined experience seeking justice and compensation for survivors of sexual assault. This gives us a unique perspective and understanding of the challenges facing survivors who choose to pursue civil actions against their abusers. Our experience with these cases allows us to connect our clients with appropriate resources and providers to support the client and the case.
We’re not just lawyers. We’re passionate advocates who will ensure that your voice is heard and your rights are protected.
Rights of Sexual Abuse Survivors
If you have experienced an assault or ongoing sexual abuse, the state of Michigan has protections and recourse for survivors. The victim rights in Michigan are engrained in the Michigan constitution. These include a right to be treated with fairness and respect in addition to:
- Reasonable protection from the defendant during the criminal justice process
- Sexual assault medical forensic examinations
- Kit testing
- Notification of perpetrator arrest or release
- Information about the status of the case
- Right to kit testing results
It cannot be understated that in most cases, the victim has the choice regarding whether they cooperate with a criminal investigation. In some cases, specifically those regarding the sexual abuse of a minor or other vulnerable population, a report to police must be made. However, the survivor can choose to engage with the case. If you have questions regarding how a criminal case may affect your ability to recover compensation in civil court, you may benefit from speaking with our sexual abuse attorney in Pontiac.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Compensation After Michigan Sexual Abuse Claim
Compensation for a sexual abuse case can come from several types of loss. Our sexual abuse lawyer in Pontiac can work with you to determine the monetary costs of any necessary medical or psychological treatment you require from the abuse, as well as the damage to your quality of life. Some of the damages you may claim in a case like this include:
- Medical Bills
- Therapeutic services
- Lost wages during recovery
- Replacement of lost or damages property from the assault
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
The damages and losses of sexual abuse can be extensive. Some survivors will face lifelong consequences from these encounters, but something we feel strongly about at White Law PLLC is that the responsibility for the abuse is only on the perpetrator. Nothing about what happened is the victim’s fault.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
