Vancouver Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Being sexually abused can have a significant impact on an individual, both in the short-term and long-term. Some immediate effects may include physical injuries, fear, shock, and confusion. In the long-term, survivors may experience a range of emotional and psychological effects, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as difficulty trusting others.
Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse may struggle with a range of issues related to their abuse. They may have difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships, struggle to find gainful employment, and experience a range of mental health issues. They may also struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, and self-blame.
Every person’s experience coping with the effects of sexual abuse is unique. Some may feel empowered to speak out against the perpetrator of this abuse immediately; many others feel the need to keep their experience a secret for numerous reasons. Survivors of sexual abuse may also have vastly different ways of coping with their trauma. While some may seek professional help, others might not be able to afford psychological counseling or may not be inclined to address their traumatic experiences. Instead, they may rely on self-destructive coping mechanisms. Sadly, sexual abuse survivors are 13 times more likely to develop alcoholism and 26 times more likely to suffer from substance use disorders than non-victims.
Seeking professional help such as counseling and therapy can be beneficial in addressing and managing the effects of the abuse, learning healthy coping skills, and improving overall well-being. Unfortunately, many people do not have the ability to pay out-of-pocket for these important resources, nor do they have access to adequate insurance to cover these expenses.
However, people who have survived sexual abuse may be able to recover compensation for financial losses related to their traumatic experiences by pursuing a civil claim against the person or parties responsible. Our sexual abuse lawyers serving Vancouver are committed to fighting for the rights of survivors and holding liable parties in the community to account.
There are many different types of individuals and organizations that can be held liable for sexual abuse. Abusers can include people in positions of trust, authority, or dependency, who take advantage of children, adolescents, or vulnerable community members in their care. Doing so is a form of abuse known as sexual exploitation.
Depending on the circumstances of the case, certain organizations and employers may also be held liable if they knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to take appropriate action to stop it. By turning a blind eye to sexual abuse within their organization, people in positions of power put future generations of targets directly in harm’s way.
Working with our Vancouver sexual abuse lawyers to pursue a civil claim can help survivors achieve a sense of closure and hold their abuser accountable for their actions. In addition, it can also help to prevent future abuse by holding contributorily negligent organizations and employers accountable for failing to protect vulnerable individuals.
In British Columbia, there is no statute of limitations on sexual abuse claims. This means that survivors can come forward at any time to speak out against their abuser.
To discuss options for compensation that might be available to you, contact us today. Our sexual abuse lawyers serving Vancouver are standing by to provide you with a free initial consultation.
You Don’t Pay Unless We Win
At Preszler Injury Lawyers, all prospective clients receive a free initial consultation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to speak with our Vancouver sexual abuse lawyers about your case and received personalized legal advice about courses of action that might be available to you.
To learn more about how our sexual abuse lawyers serving Vancouver might be able to help you hold your abuser accountable for their criminal actions, call us today.
