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Sexual Abuse Lawyers in North Carolina
Providing Compassionate Victim Advocacy Since 1997
Sexual abuse and assault are wretched, awful, grievous, terrible, reprehensible and dreadful. At Lanier Law Group, P.A., we are proud to represent victims of sexual abuse in civil proceedings. Separate from any criminal action against an abuser, civil proceedings allow victims to seek financial compensation from the perpetrator for the damages they have suffered.
Our North Carolina sexual abuse attorneys understand that no amount of financial recovery can ever undo the immense suffering you have endured. However, by taking action against the abuser or the institution that allowed the abuse to take place, you can potentially obtain fair compensation for any medical bills you incurred as a result of the abuse/attack, as well as for pain and suffering and emotional trauma.
Perhaps most importantly, a civil sexual abuse claim can provide you with a much-needed sense of justice and help prevent similar acts from occurring in the future.
If you or someone you love was the victim of sexual abuse, reach out to Lanier Law Group, P.A. We offer free, confidential consultations during which we can discuss your legal rights and options. Our attorneys and staff understand what you have been through, as well as the challenges you still face.
We are here to provide compassionate, personalized, and attentive legal services every step of the way. During legal proceedings, we will remain your staunch and aggressive advocate from start to finish.
Call 919-342-1368 or submit an online contact form to get started.
What Is Sexual Abuse?
In North Carolina, sexual abuse and assault are crimes punishable by jail or prison time, fines, mandatory sex offender registration, and other penalties. The law clearly defines sexual abuse as any sexual act performed against another person without his or her consent.
This ranges from inappropriate touching to child molestation to rape. In addition to criminal penalties, abusers can also face civil legal action and be forced to pay—literally—for their crimes.
Some examples of sexual abuse include:
- Inappropriate touching: This includes things like fondling, groping, or touching another person in a sexual manner against his or her will.
- Sexual harassment: Unwanted sexual comments, advances, touching, and indirect actions leading to a hostile work environment can all be considered sexual harassment.
- Molestation/child molestation: This involves sexual advances/touching; child molestation in North Carolina is defined as engaging in sexual activity with a minor under the age of 14.
- Sexual assault: In North Carolina, anyone who engages in sexual activity with another person through force (including the use of a deadly weapon) or the threat of force has committed sexual assault.
- Sexual battery: Making sexual contact with another person through force/threat of force, by using a deadly weapon, or when the victim is mentally disabled is considered sexual battery.
- Rape: North Carolina law still defines rape as sexual intercourse without the consent of the other person; this includes when the victim is unable to give consent.
- Statutory rape: Sexual intercourse without consent when the victim is under the age of 16 is considered statutory rape, though some exceptions to the law may apply.
At Lanier Law Group, P.A., we understand the law and know how to pursue sexual abuse and assault cases. In fact, our firm has earned a reputation for having handled more sexual abuse cases than any other injury law firm in North Carolina. Our founding attorney, Lisa Lanier, has obtained a seven-figure settlement in a sexual abuse case against a local university. We are not afraid to take on large, powerful defendants and their attorneys.
Understanding & Protecting Your Rights
Sexual abuse and assault can be a one-time violent event, a long-term abusive situation, or anything in between. In most cases, it is immensely traumatic and leaves victims feeling powerless. If you are the victim of sexual abuse or assault, know that you have rights.
Among these is the right to file a civil lawsuit against your abuser/attacker and the entity or organization that allowed the abuse to happen. Additionally, if another party acted negligently and this led to the abuse or assault, you may be able to take legal action against that party as well.
Some examples of this include:
- If an individual is attacked in a dark parking lot at a shopping mall where there was little lighting and no on-duty security guards despite a history of crime in the area, the victim may pursue a claim against the owner/operator of the parking lot/mall for negligent security.
- If a student is walking back to their dorm and is sexually assaulted on campus, he/she may be able to prove that the university was negligent in protecting its students from acts of sexual assault.
- If an elderly individual with mental disabilities is repeatedly sexually abused by a caretaker at their nursing home, family members may take action against the abuser and/or the nursing home if the facility was negligent.
- After school care
- Club – like boy scouts
- Therapist
- Church
- Doctor
- School
These represent just some examples of how sexual abuse and assault can take place and who may be liable. The best thing you can do after reporting the abuse/attack to local law enforcement is to reach out to an attorney who can help you understand your rights and ensure they are protected.
Contact us online or call 919-342-1368 to request your free initial consultation. Se habla español.
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Sexual Abuse
Put an Experienced Advocate in Your Corner
The idea of standing up to your abuser may be intimidating or even downright frightening. At Lanier Law Group, P.A., we understand this. When you put our experienced, aggressive, and powerful North Carolina sexual abuse attorneys on your side, you have an entire team of dedicated advocates fighting for you.
Our goal is to make sure you feel safe and secure with our team, as well as confident in our attorneys’ ability to effectively protect your rights and help you secure rightful compensation for your damages. Most of all, we strive to help our clients rebuild their lives so they can continue in the healing process.
Furthermore, our commitment to sexual abuse survivors goes beyond our legal work. We are regularly involved in community efforts to raise awareness about the unfortunate commonality of sexual assault in our society. For instance, we are a proud sponsor of CHILD USA.
As the leading nonprofit organization advocating against child abuse in the United States, CHILD USA combines research and legal analysis to design effective public policy to mitigate and end child abuse.
With multiple offices located throughout North Carolina, Lanier Law Group, P.A. is ready to serve you. We offer contingency fee services, meaning there are no upfront costs for you, and in the event that we do not recover compensation in your case, you do not owe us a dime.
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