If you are here because you have been sexually assaulted, then we know you are going through an incredibly difficult time. There is no amount of compensation that will erase what has happened, but we want you to know that filing a civil suit can be your way of seeking justice from the person who assaulted you.
Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. has the experience you need to successfully pursue the compensation you deserve for all of the physical and emotional pain you have suffered from because of the assault. When you need a Manhattan sexual assault attorney, call us today.
In the state of New York, sexual assault charges are levied on perpetrators under Penal Code Sections 130.52 – 130.70, Forcible Touching and Sexual Abuse Offenses.
Sexual assault is a broad term used to describe many things that a perpetrator can do to a victim. Sexual assault can include:
Sexual assault can happen anywhere. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center tells us that:
You may wonder who commits sexual assault. In some cases, the perpetrator is a stranger. In most cases though, sexual assault is perpetrated by someone that the victim knows.
The effects of sexual assault are lifelong. Many people think that the only expense that a rape or sexual assault victim faces are medical costs in the immediate aftermath of an incident. However, we know that this is not the case.
Were You Assaulted in the Past?
The Manhattan sexual assault attorneys at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. understand the sensitive legal matters that arise following a sexually based attack. It can often take time for the victim in a sex assault case to feel comfortable enough to face their attacker in a court of law. Sometimes the criminal justice system fails victims of sexually-based offenses, leaving victims with only the civil courts to hold their abusers accountable.
In 2019, the state of New York enacted the Child Victim’s Act, an important piece of legislation that advances the rights of victims in their pursuit of accountability for the perpetrators that did them harm. This Act extends the time frame that sexual assault victims have to come forward and report their abusers to authorities. It applies not just to victims of sexual assault, but to sex abuse, molestation, and rape victims too, effectively extending the criminal statute of limitations by 5 years for victims.
The Child Victim’s Act offers the following help for victims of sexually based crimes:
It is important that victims of sexual assault understand that even if the criminal statute of limitations has expired in their case, they may still get justice—even if not in the traditional sense—by holding their abusers to account monetarily. In doing so, you not only receive some form of compensation for previous trauma due to the assault, but you also punish the perpetrator, calling attention to the abuser’s actions, which may thwart future attacks of other victims.
Remember, it isn’t just the perpetrator who may be held to account. In some instances, the institution for which the abuser works may also be liable. For example, if the attacker in your sexual assault case held a position of trust in your church, then the church may be held to account for your attack, especially if they covered up for the attacker. The same is true for attacks perpetrated by other employees or representatives of other institutions and entities.
We want you to know that you did not deserve to be sexually assaulted and that we will be by your side as you work to seek justice. Our Manhattan sexual assault attorneys at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. has the experience you need to go after compensation for all of the expenses you have or will encounter due to the assault.
When you need a Manhattan sexual assault attorney, our knowledgeable and experienced team will work to secure the following:
You can contact us by clicking here or calling us at 215-929-7216.