Carleton Sexual Abuse Lawyer

An insidious crime whose impacts often continue to cause damage to the lives of survivors for the rest of their lives, sexual abuse affects an average of 1 in 10 Canadians. Often perpetrated within the context of a relationship where one party is dependent on another, such as a parent to a child, a teacher to a student, or a member of the clergy to a vulnerable community member, the imbalance of power frequently prevents the victim from stepping forward or even disclosing the truth of the abuse.

There are many reasons that a survivor of sexual abuse may not report it. Societal norms continue to cast shame upon the subjects touching on sex or sexuality, which in many cases makes a survivor reluctant to step forward. Additionally, in many cases, the abuser is somebody close to the survivor, known to them through family connections or community or social bonds. The context of the relationship may deter an individual from stepping forward because of the likelihood of criminal charges being imposed upon the abuser. Moreover, the vulnerable position of the survivor may pose an impassable obstacle to seeking justice.

Even if many decades have passed since their abuse took place, survivors of sexual abuse may be able to seek out justice and retribution. Survivors might wish to report the crime to the police, which could result in the Crown pursuing criminal charges against the perpetrator. Doing so could eventually lead to harsh punishments for the perpetrator, if they are found guilty in a criminal court. In addition to criminal proceedings, survivors of sexual abuse may decide to file a civil claim against the perpetrator and/or other liable parties in an attempt to recover financial compensation for damages they incurred as a result of the abuse they endured. 

Each individual case is different, and our team of Carleton Place sexual abuse lawyers are committed to helping survivors of sexual abuse recover the compensation they deserve. This may help cover the costs of medical treatments, psychological counseling, and more. Contact us today to discuss what options may be available to you.

What is Sexual Abuse?

When an adult in a position of trust and authority uses their power to coerce a child or other vulnerable member of society to participate in sexual activity, they have committed sexual abuse. Individual instances of abuse might involve physical contact, such as touching or forcing a child to touch in a sexual manner. It may also involve non-physical abuse such as threats, voyeurism, exposure to sexual imagery, verbal harrassment, and more. It is an enactment of sexual assault, a profound betrayal of trust, and an exploitation of power that can inflict extensive damage upon the life of a survivor.

Lasting Impacts of Sexual Abuse

While each case is unique and each survivor’s story different, studies show a consistent link between childhood sexual abuse and a survivor’s likelihood of developing mental health disorders as a result of their trauma. The impacts of one’s mental health conditions frequently intersect with physical conditions, and the two may exacerbate each other to life-altering adverse effects. 

Examples of adverse effects the trauma of sexual abuse may have on a survivor include:

• Feelings of shame and isolation
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Dissociative thinking
• Depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Suicide attempts
• Self-harm
• High stress levels
• High blood pressure (often caused by high stress levels)
• Substance abuse and addiction
• And more

The costs of treatment, including medical care, rehabilitative services, and psychological counseling, can be substantial. A survivor of sexual abuse can go into debt simply by trying to improve their quality of life. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we believe that survivors deserve to pursue the compensation to which they are entitled by law. By filing a civil claim, a survivor of sexual abuse may be able to recover costs associated with medical care, physical and psychological treatments, and more.

Contact Our Carleton Place Sexual Abuse Lawyers Today

If you have been the target of sexual abuse at any point in time, you may be entitled to financial compensation to recover damages incurred as a result of your trauma. Our Carleton Place sexual abuse lawyers are here to address your questions in a free, no-obligation, confidential initial consultation. Call Preszler Injury Lawyers today at 1-800-JUSTICE, or contact us online through our case evaluation form, and see how we may be able to help you.