People who suffer sexual abuse, particularly those who are victimized as children, can carry the physical and mental scars for their entire lives. This makes it especially important to get justice for victims of abuse, even when it happened years or decades prior. But who can be held legally responsible in a sexual abuse lawsuit?
What is Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse broadly refers to any form of sexual conduct perpetrated on someone who is either unable or unwilling to consent to the act. This includes sex acts perpetrated through violent coercion or the threat of violence, as well as sex acts against people who are intoxicated and unable to give their consent. It also applies to sexual conduct against children, and anyone else who is legally unable to consent to sexual activity.
How Does Sexual Abuse Happen?
Broadly speaking, sexual abuse can happen just about anywhere, but there are circumstances that can lead to victims being more likely to be abused. For example, schools, churches, businesses, and other institutions may have lax hiring standards that result in them hiring people who have records of violent or inappropriate conduct. Likewise, they may have inadequate training or supervision to identify and address potential victims of abuse.
Who Can You Hold Responsible?
While the primary responsibility for sexual abuse falls on the perpetrator themselves, you can also hold institutions responsible if their negligence led to victims being placed in harm’s way. A school may be held legally liable if they hire a teacher who abuses students, for example, while a hospital may be held responsible for a staff member that takes advantage of patients, and a church could be sued for failing to protect their congregation from a predatory priest. This is because these institutions have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of every person in their care, and to take measures to prevent this kind of abuse.
What Should You Do?
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual abuse, even if the abuse happened years ago, you may be able to seek justice through private litigation. However, to know what options you have available to you, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling sex abuse cases. They can review the facts surrounding your case, and help you come up with a legal strategy that suits your needs.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with sexual abuse, personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We specialize in assisting clients who have been injured due to exposure to environmental toxins, including veterans and their loved ones. If you need legal assistance due to toxic exposure or other related matters, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.