Too many sexual abuse victims carry the burden of shame and guilt when they should not. While no amount of compensation can heal you, we will fight to ensure you and your loved ones obtain justice.
The law firm of Baron, Herskowitz, and Cohen has extensive experience handling the investigation and litigation of cases involving sexual abuse.
Don’t hesitate – to ask questions or to find out how we can help you, please call us at 305-670-0101 or fill out our online contact form for a free and confidential claim evaluation.
Sexual abuse is any unwanted, non-consensual sexual act. It occurs against a person’s will through force, the threat of force, coercion, or manipulation. It may include:
Anyone can be a victim of sexual abuse, though women, children, and some demographic groups are more frequently victimized than others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 women in the U.S. are raped or sexually assaulted at some point in their lives, often by someone they know and trust.
Based on the U.S. Census, projections for the Hispanic female population in the future, and the one-in-six victimization calculation, by the year 2050, the number of females of Hispanic origin who have experienced some form of sexual violence could reach 10.8 million.
Childhood sexual abuse refers to any sexual act that occurs between an adult and a child. It may include:
Children are especially vulnerable. Parents or guardians can file a civil action on behalf of their child, seeking compensation for the harm that was done.
Every survivor responds to traumatic events in their own way. The effects of the trauma can be short-term or last long after the sexual assault.
Survivors of sexual abuse often internalize their symptoms that may lead to long-term effects such as:
Marsy’s Law in Florida aims to provide victims with consistent and timely information about all public court procedures. The legislation guarantees that victims can be present and voice their perspectives in public hearings, be it pretrial releases, pleas, sentences, paroles, or any other judicial process. Victims also have the prerogative to discuss with the prosecutor about plea deals, pretrial diversions, release decisions, compensation, sentencing, and other case dispositions.
Furthermore, victims can share the effects of the offender’s actions on them and their families with those preparing presentence reports. This input must be taken into account when creating sentencing recommendations for the court. They are also entitled to access presentence reports and other relevant records, with certain confidential sections excluded. Victims should be informed about post-sentencing procedures and have the chance to be involved, share their views with the release authorities, and be informed of any decisions about the offender’s release.
The parole or early release authority shall extend the right to be heard to any person harmed by the offender. The right to be informed of clemency and expungement procedures, to provide information to the governor, the court, any clemency board, and other authority in these procedures, and to have that information considered before a clemency or expungement decision is made; and to be notified of such decision in advance of any release of the offender.
In essence, Marsy’s Law sets forth the specific rights of victims. An attorney representing a victim will ensure that these rights, as dictated by Marsy’s Law, are upheld by the court.
Restorative justice views “justice” as a “repair” of the harm caused by crime and conflict, unlike the conventional system that sees it as “punishment”. Central to restorative justice is addressing the needs of all parties and the community for a just outcome.
In the aftermath of a crime, there are universal human needs like safety, understanding, and apology, which are often overlooked by punitive justice systems primarily focused on guilt and punishment. Restorative justice, through facilitated dialogues, provides an avenue to meet these human needs. This method results in benefits like decreased recidivism and higher satisfaction levels, especially for the victims.
Its positive effects have led to its growing adoption in the US and globally. However, restorative justice isn’t always suitable. It’s voluntary, requiring both the victim and the offender to participate willingly. It’s also reliant on the offender acknowledging responsibility since it doesn’t determine guilt. To ensure success and avoid additional harm, processes should be led by trained facilitators who assess the situation before initiating dialogues.
If you have been the victim of sexual abuse, you may be able to take legal action against your assailant or anybody else who contributed to your injury.
We can help you seek compensation and closure. This can cover.
Any nonconsensual sexual act that does harm could be grounds for a lawsuit. Examples include:
If you or someone you know was the victim of sexual abuse, you should consult with an attorney regarding your rights and potential remedies. An experienced sexual abuse attorney can review the facts of your case and determine if you have a valid claim.
At Baron, Herskowitz, and Cohen we represent individuals who have been the victims of sexual abuse. Having the right attorney on your side can make a huge difference in the outcome of your sexual assault case. We represent people throughout Miami and across the state of Florida. To schedule, a consultation contact our firm today (305) 670-0101 or info@bhfloridalaw.com.
Sexual abuse is a serious crime with far-reaching consequences and long-term effects for victims. To learn more about the devastating crime of sexual abuse, consult the frequently asked questions in our blog post.
Society looks to religion for comfort and faith, especially during hard times. When a clergy member with authority preys on innocent victims, it undermines the public’s trust in the church. Clergy sexual abuse is when someone of power within the church sexually exploits, abuses, or harasses another person. The abuse may be perpetrated upon children or adults. Read more in our blog post.
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