If you have been in some way a victim of a sex crime, it is important to have the legal language to describe what happened to you so that you can fight the accused in court. Learning the difference between sexual assault and sexual abuse can be the difference between winning or losing a case. And, on the flip side, can be instrumental in making sure that the person you’re accusing gets the appropriate punishment administered by the court.
Definition of Sexual Abuse, Legally
While there are very few explicit definitions of sexual abuse legally, it has come to mean sexual crimes that are either continuous or have the intention of causing discomfort or pain, physically or emotionally. These cases often take place within a power dynamic of one person having more power over the other, such as adult and child or adult and elderly person. Trafficking could also feasibly be reported as abuse.
Definition of Sexual Assault, Legally
The Department of Justice defines sexual assault as “any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient.” That means if someone has performed any sex act on you that was not consensual, that is sexual assault. It can be either premeditated or unexpected, violent or non-violent. Rape, attempted rape, child molestation, forced penetration: all of this is sexual assault. It also includes acts where the individual was not able to consent for whatever reason. If they were asleep, drunk, or are disabled beyond the ability to consent clearly. Whatever the case is, it is traumatic to be sexually assaulted, and survivors of assault deserve justice from their assailants.
What Should Survivors Do?
If you or someone you love is a survivor of either sexual abuse or sexual assault, you have legal options. You should seek the advice and counsel of an experienced attorney in your area who specializes in prosecuting sex crimes. You may be entitled to compensation for your trauma, and be able to get justice.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
