Sexual Assault Attorneys Who Fight Aggressively for Victims
We Are Sexual Assault Attorneys Who Fight Aggressively for Victims
What constitutes sexual assault or rape?
California civil law defines rape and sexual assault to include nonconsensual sexual contact involving:
- Forcible penetration or oral sex
- Coerced sex through use of weapons or other threat of harm
- Touching of private parts, under or over clothing
- Taking advantage of someone incapacitated by alcohol or drugs
- Use of date rape drugs
- Attempted sexual assault
Statistics of Victims of Sexual Violence
According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) and statistics taken by the U.S. Justice Dept., sexual violence affects millions of Americans. Specifically:
- On average, there are 321,500 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States. (Dept. of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2010-2014.)
- Ages 12-34 are the highest risk years for rape and sexual assault.
- 54% of sexual assault victims are of ages 18-34.
- 90% of adult rape victims are female.
- Women ages 18-24 who are college students are 3 times more likely than women in general to experience sexual violence. Females of the same age who are NOT enrolled in college are 4 times more likely.
- 1 out of every 10 rape victims are male.
- Transgender students are at a higher risk for sexual violence.
In most instances the victim knows the perpetrator, which creates a hostile and unbearable environment for the victim who suffers in the aftermath. Victims of rape are not only severely traumatized in the short term, but commonly suffer psychological and emotional effects for years after the trauma occurred. Sexual abuse victims may experience painful emotions and long term symptoms after the attack, including:
- Anxiety, fear, shock and disbelief
- Inability to sleep and post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression, withdrawal and despondency
- Disability that affects the ability to work or perform at school
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of interest in activities of daily life
- More likely to use drugs
- Attempt suicide
Sexual violence also affects victims’ relationships with their family, friends and co-workers.
Child Sexual Abuse or Sexual Assault
According to statistics taken by RAINN, about 15 percent of sexual abuse victims are under the age of 18. Most of these incidents take place where young adults and children are supposed to be protected by professionals in organizations such as churches, schools, sports activities and other community groups. When these organizations fail to safeguard our children or take advantage of persons who are unable to protect themselves, they need to be held liable.