Those who have been sexually abused face a lifetime of pain and suffering and often never receive justice for what has happened to them. If you or a loved one have been sexually abused, please seek legal assistance to take the first steps forward.
Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. is ready to step in and be your advocate. Our knowledgeable and experienced team understands these cases and will work to secure compensation for what has happened to you. When you need a Queens sexual abuse attorney, we are here for you.
Sometimes people need to see the cold hard reality of sexual abuse. It can happen to anyone and usually involved the perpetrator being in a position of trust or authority over the victim. This can include children being assaulted by teachers, clergy members, mentors, scout leaders, and even older children. It can also include the abuse of adults by doctors and abuse of the elderly by caregivers.
What does abuse look like?
Sexual abuse can include the following:
Who commits sexual abuse?
Sometimes sexual abuse is committed by a stranger to the victim, but that is rare. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 91% of abuse victims knew their abusers. In many cases, an abuser is a member of their victim’s family. Darkness to Light says that one in five girls and one in 25 boys will be sexually assaulted during their lifetimes.
The victims of abuse feel the effect of what happened to them long after the abuse has ended. In many cases, victims suffered abuse for years at the hands of their perpetrators before it stopped.
The majority of sexual abuse victims report suffering from emotional and psychological damages, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Victims may struggle to have healthy sexual relationships and, in the worst cases, could become abusers themselves.
Adults who are abused by someone they trust are just as likely to develop mental health disorders as minors who are abused.
Fear, shame, depression, embarrassment, withdrawal, isolation, denial, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The list of consequences of sexual abuse can go on. Some of these effects are short-term, while others linger for a lifetime.
One of the reasons why sexual abuse and assault survivors are unable to move on after the traumatizing event is because they have never found the justice they so desperately desired. Let our Queens sexual abuse lawyer at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., help you with the healing process by seeking justice and holding your abuser criminally liable for what happened.
While anyone can become a sexual abuser, approximately eight out of ten sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim. Even someone respectable and trustworthy can be an abuser.
In the vast majority of sexual abuse lawsuits in Queens and elsewhere in New York City, the following persons are often accused of committing the crime:
In Queens or elsewhere in New York City, any amount of unsolicited, unwanted, and non-consensual sexual contact, activity, or attention is considered “sexual abuse.”
The most common types of sexual abuse include:
More often than not, abusers take advantage of another person’s vulnerability or powerlessness to commit acts of sexual abuse or assault. That is why children, teenagers, and older people often become victims.
Under the New York Child Victims Act, signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in February 2019, all sexual abuse and assault survivors who were previously barred from filing a lawsuit can sue their abuser within a year from the Act’s effective date (August 14th, 2019).
A victim can file a sexual abuse lawsuit against the abuser or institution up until the victim reaches the age of 55. The Act is an exclusive exception to the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims in New York City.
Do not waste your chance, as the Act expires on August 14th, 2020. Consult with a Queens sexual abuse attorney to prepare for your criminal case.
Sexual abuse and assault can have life-long consequences and impact many aspects of the victim’s life, significantly diminishing the quality of their life, making them unable to find a romantic partner or get married, and taking a toll on their psychological and emotional wellbeing.
As a plaintiff in a sexual abuse suit in New York City, you may be able to get compensation for the following types of damages:
That is a non-exhaustive list of damages that can be recovered in your sexual abuse case. Speak to an experienced Queens sexual abuse lawyer at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., to identify the recoverable damages and seek compensation.
Gathering evidence is an important step when preparing to meet with a Queens sexual abuse attorney. This evidence will be used to build a strong case and increase the chances of a favorable outcome. Here are some tips on how to gather evidence when preparing to meet with a Queens sexual abuse attorney:
Gathering evidence is an important step when preparing to meet with a Queens sexual abuse attorney, but it is also essential to remember that the attorney will be there to guide you through the process and help you to understand what is required.
Sexual abuse is wrong and it can happen to anyone: children who trust a mentor, patients who trust doctors, and to the elderly in nursing homes. If you or someone you love has been sexually abused recently or in the past, we are here for you now.
Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. wants to help you secure the compensation you deserve. This can include:
Though we know that no amount of money will ever erase your pain, this can help bring a sense of justice and closure. When you need a Queen’s sexual abuse attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 215-929-7216.