Halifax Sexual Assault Lawyer
Survivors of sexual assault often suffer in silence. When perpetrators of sexual abuse use force, make threats, or take advantage of vulnerable individuals in order to engage in unwanted sexual activity, the emotional toll it takes on victims may seem impossible to overcome. However, with the assistance of our Halifax sexual assault lawyers, victims may be able to bring their abuser to justice.
Any kind of sexual activity that takes place without consent is sexual assault. Consent is a clearly understood, ongoing, active, and revocable agreement between two adults. When one party engages in unwanted, non-consensual sexual activity, they have committed sexual assault.
Sexual assault is a broad definition for a number of reprehensible actions, including attempted or completed rape, forced kissing, grabbing, unwanted touching, sexual harassment, and more. These actions represent a power imbalance in a sexual dynamic, where one party takes control away from another. Perpetrators of sexual assault rob their victims of the right to control what happens to their body.
In the majority of cases, victims of sexual assault personally know their abuser. Most often, their abusers are friends, family members, neighbours, or people in positions of authority such as religious leaders, teachers, or sports coaches. Although anyone from any demographic can and may be the victim of sexual abuse, women are disproportionately over-represented among survivors of sexual assault. Young women, Aboriginal women, trans women, and women with disabilities are at a higher risk of being assaulted.
Speaking out against abusers is an incredibly brave and difficult act for any survivor of sexual assault. Many survivors fear that speaking out will mean facing unwarranted criticism, victim-blaming, public scrutiny, and– perhaps worst of all– disbelief. Furthermore, survivors of assault may worry that pursuing legal action against their abusers may be a costly and emotionally re-traumatizing experience.
However, survivors of sexual assault are entitled to pursue civil action against their abusers and, in certain situations, against their employer or other institutions responsible for introducing the abuser to the victim. In Halifax, there is no statute of limitations on filing civil charges for sexual assault. That means that, even if your assault took place years in the past, our sexual assault lawyers with experience in Halifax may be able to help you pursue accountability and financial compensation.
Free Consultation for Halifax Residents – We Don’t Get Paid Unless We Win
If you or someone you know has been assaulted, our sexual assault lawyers serving Halifax may be able to discuss your case in a free, initial consultation. During this cost-free, no-obligation, initial meeting, our sexual assault lawyers serving Halifax can sensitively discuss the circumstances of your assault and explain options that may be available in your pursuit of justice.
Even though no amount of money will be able to compensate the survivors of abuse, our sexual assault lawyers in Halifax may be able to pursue a civil claim against the perpetrator to recover damages they incurred as a result of their experience.
To book a free, initial consultation and learn more about how our sexual assault lawyers serving Halifax may be able to help, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers today.
