Amherst Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Sexual abuse involves an exploitation of power. The perpetrators of sexual abuse prey upon their victims’ dependence upon them, take advantage of the the trust they have placed in them, or exploit their positions of authority within a larger institution in order to engage in non-consensual sexual activity.
Minors are not capable of giving consent for sexual activities. Even teenagers who have reached the age of consent but are still not legally considered adults cannot give informed consent to people in positions of trust, authority, or dependency. These figures may include:
- Teachers
- Religious figures
- Sports coaches
- Camp counsellors
- Foster parents
- Guards at correctional facilities
- Psychiatric hospital staff
- And more
Perpetrators of sexual abuse exploit the inherent power imbalance in their relationship with young or vulnerable people in their care. They do so in order to coerce, manipulate, threaten, or otherwise convince them to engage in non-consensual sexual activity.
The psychological toll of surviving sexual abuse can impacts important areas of a victim’s life, including their ability to develop and maintain romantic relationships. Some sexual abuse survivors develop addictive behaviours, engage in self-harm, and in many truly unfortunate circumstances, attempt or complete suicide.
If you are in distress, contact the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 833-456-4566.
In addition to developing severe mental health issues, survivors of sexual abuse often incur significant financial losses as a result of the trauma they have endured. If you were victimized in the past, no matter how long ago the abuse took place, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
By working with our sexual abuse lawyers serving Amherst, you may be able to recover damages you incurred or will incur in the future because of the abuse you endured. Our Amherst sexual abuse lawyers may be able to pursue a civil claim against your abuser and, depending on the circumstances of your case, against the organization that hired them or introduced you to them.
When an organization’s leadership learns that one of its staff members or volunteers has committed sexual abuse, they have a duty to report the crime to the proper authorities and remove the perpetrator from their staff. If an organization’s leadership fails to take appropriate actions and, instead, turn a blind eye to abuse within their institution, they put even more young or vulnerable people at risk of suffering the lifelong effects of being sexually abused. This contributory negligence is a form of sexual abuse known as systemic or institutional sexual abuse because, through the inaction of the organization’s leadership, the cycle of abuse is allowed to continue perpetuating itself in a consequence-free environment.
It is never easy to talk about traumatic events of the past. Our sexual abuse lawyers serving Amherst offer all prospective clients a free initial consultation, during which survivors of abuse can discuss their past in a safe environment, in addition to learning about legal options that may be available to them. To schedule your free initial consultation, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers.
Free Consultation for Amherst Residents – We Don’t Get Paid Unless We Win
During a no-obligation first meeting with our Amherst sexual abuse lawyers, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of our legal advice at no cost. If you are eligible to pursue a claim, our sexual abuse lawyers serving Amherst may be able to help you begin your pursuit of accountability and restitution.
To learn how Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help with your case, contact our Amherst sexual abuse lawyers and receive your free initial consultation.
