Shelburne Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Sexual abuse often occurs within the larger framework of an established organization or institution with a hierarchical power structure. Abusers thrive in these types of institutions because they can use their positions of authority over others to their advantage. These reprehensible criminals often use their positions of power over more vulnerable people within the institution to threaten, coerce, manipulate, or otherwise persuade their victims to engage in non-consensual sexual activity. Furthermore, abusers often exploit the trust placed in them by the very people they have been hired to serve and protect to convince them to participate in unwanted sexual activity. This being the case, victims of sexual abuse are often children, teenagers, or members of vulnerable populations.
Examples of organizations in which sexual predators may use their trusted positions of authority to prey upon young or vulnerable people include:
- Schools
- Religious institutions
- Sports leagues
- Extra-curricular programs
- Summer camps
- Detention centres
- Psychiatric facilities
- Foster care
- And more
If an organization’s leadership becomes aware that one of its employees or volunteers has used their position to perpetrate sexual abuse, they have a legal obligation to report the crime to the police and immediately dismiss the abuser from their position. Unfortunately, the leadership of certain organizations may choose to protect the reputations of both their institution and their employees, rather than protecting the people in their care from enduring sexual abuse. If an organization turns a blind eye to serious crimes occurring within the framework of their institution, they essentially allow the cycle of abuse to continue perpetuating itself, putting more and more young and vulnerable people in harm’s way. This is a type of a contributory negligence referred to as “systemic sexual abuse,” or “institutional sexual abuse.”
Both sexual predators and the organizations that let them carry out abuse in a consequence-free setting may be liable for damages incurred by victims of the unspeakable crimes they have committed. Sexual abuse survivors often develop overwhelming, disabling mental health issues that could prevent them from living normal, productive lives and reaching their full potential. As a direct result of the trauma they endured, people who were sexually abused often incur financial losses related to:
- Psychological counselling
- Psychiatric treatment
- Prescription medications
- Failure to reach potential
- Reduced earning capabilities
- Lost wages
- And more
No matter how far in the past your abuse took place, our sexual abuse lawyers serving Shelburne may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve. There is no time limitation on sexual abuse claims in this province. That means, even if your abuse occurred many years ago, our Shelburne sexual abuse lawyers may be able to help you pursue civil action against your abuser and, depending on the circumstances of your case, against the organization that employed them. By doing so, our sexual abuse lawyers serving Shelburne may be able to help you recover the compensation you are rightfully owed.
To review the details of your case, schedule a free initial consultation with our sexual abuse lawyers serving Shelburne by calling Preszler Injury Lawyers.
Free Consultation for Shelburne Residents – We Don’t Get Paid Unless We Win
Our Shelburne sexual abuse lawyers are committed to helping the victims of sexual abuse find the justice and compensation they are deservedly owed. To learn how Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help in your pursuit of accountability and restitution, schedule your free initial consultation with our sexual abuse lawyers serving Shelburne.
