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Sexual Assault Victims
Content Warning: The page below discusses sexual assault, including the sexual abuse of children. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can contact emergency services or the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
Many millions of Americans have been the victim of sexual assault, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. RAINN states that many victims of sexual abuse and sexual assault are minors, who are usually abused by someone they (and their families) know and trust.
Sexual assault is a term that covers a range of unwanted sexual behaviors directed at a victim by a perpetrator. This may involve actions such as kissing, touching, or groping without consent. Rape, or nonconsensual sexual intercourse, is one form of sexual assault. Child sexual abuse involves the sexual assault of a minor.
Many survivors of sexual assault and parents of sexually abused children assume that seeking financial recovery for the damage caused by an abuser requires that the abuser have significant personal wealth or assets. However, in certain circumstances, other parties can also be held legally accountable if they had a duty to prevent the sexual abuse but did not. These types of claims may allow victims to pursue civil damages from multiple responsible parties, such as a negligent employer, church, or school.
Sexual Assault Victims Lawyer Tracy Paulsen represents those who have been sexually abused in Massachusetts, including in the Boston area, Bristol County, Plymouth County, and Norfolk County. Attorney Paulsen is the managing attorney of Rightful Legal. Her team has fought fearlessly against perpetrators who have harmed innocent children and victims. While no amount of money can erase the horrible pain of sexual assault, we know that fair compensation can provide sexual abuse victims with the stability and resources they need to reclaim their lives. With over 15 years of experience, Attorney Paulsen is prepared to fight for justice against your sexual abuser, and any organization which turned a blind eye,, and help you obtain the maximum possible compensation for the harm they have caused you.
If you or your child was the victim of sexual assault, contact Attorney Tracy Paulsen and her Rightful Legal team today for a free, confidential case consultation. We listen with compassion and empathy and hope to assist you with your courageous decision to seek justice. There is no obligation to retain us for attending a consultation. If you do select Rightful Legal for your sexual assault lawsuit, we will stand with you, fighting for justice and just compensation for the sexual abuse you never should have endured.
Were You Sexually Abused?
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Where Can You Find Help After a Sexual Assault?
An attorney can help protect your legal rights after a sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted and need other support, the following organizations may be able to help:
- RAINN is a national nonprofit fighting sexual violence. They maintain a 24/7 sexual assault hotline online or at 800-656-HOPE.
- Massachusetts has a number of rape crisis centers across the Commonwealth providing free, confidential support to adolescent and adult survivors of sexual assault.
- The Massachusetts Children’s Alliance maintains a number of Child Advocacy Centers, where a multidisciplinary team of social workers, law enforcement officers, medical providers, and victim advocates provide assistance to children who have experienced abuse, including sexual abuse.
What Is a Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit?
A sexual assault civil lawsuit is a legal action brought by the victim of a sexual assault and/or sexual abuse. It is an attempt to recover monetary compensation for the mental and physical injuries caused by sexual assault from the perpetrator or their employer.
While sexual assault is a crime, a sexual assault civil lawsuit is completely separate from any criminal prosecution of the person who sexually assaulted you or your child. The appropriate prosecutor will make decisions about any criminal case against the perpetrator.
You as the sexual assault survivor make the decision to bring a civil lawsuit against your abuser and/or the institution that exposed you to your abuser, such as your church, school, or sports team.
Who May Be Able to Bring a Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit?
Rightful Legal is currently accepting clients who are seeking to bring civil actions for sexual assault. You should reach out to a sexual assault victim attorney like Tracy Paulsen if any of the following apply to you:
- You are under 21 and were sexually assaulted as a minor
- By an adult, who was connected to you through an institution, such as
- A church
- A school (public or private)
- The foster care system
- A doctor’s office
- A camp
- A sports team
- Another large organization including both you and the abuser
- By an adult, who was connected to you through an institution, such as
- You are under 21 and were physically sexually assaulted as a minor
- By another minor, who was connected to you through an institution, such as those listed above.
- You were sexually assaulted as an adult
- By another adult, connected to you by a corporation, such as
- A bank
- A large company
- A hospital or other large healthcare facility
- A university
- A large charity
- By another adult, connected to you by a corporation, such as
If you or your child have experienced one of these types of sexual assault, reach out to speak to one of our compassionate sexual assault victims attorneys today.
How Much Time Do You Have to Bring Your Sexual Assault Case?
For victims of child sexual assault, Massacusetts provides a deadline, or statute of limitations, of 35 years from when the abuse took place or 7 years from when the survivor knew or should have reasonably known that the abuse caused emotional or psychological injuries. This deadline does not begin to run until the victim turns 18. This deadline also applies to lawsuits against the institution who negligently exposed a victim to their abuser.
For adult victims of sexual assault, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, including those involving sexual assault, is three years from the date of the assault or the date the victim knew or should have known of their injuries.
Statutes of limitation can be complicated, and Attorney Paulsen and her team understand that it is difficult to face these questions on your own as you seek justice for your sexual assault. You do not have to face your abuser or their facilitator alone. An experienced sexual assault lawyer can guide you, calculating deadlines and helping you meet them so you do not lose your one chance to obtain fair compensation.
Are You a Survivor of Sexual Assault?
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Why Choose Rightful Legal to Fight for You or Your Child in a Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
Have you experienced sexual assault? Was your child sexually abused by an adult or another child? You may have the right to bring a civil sexual assault claim against the perpetrator or the organization the perpetrator works for.
At Rightful Legal, we treat each of our clients with compassion, empathy and respect and take specific care in cases of sexual assault. We recognize how difficult it is for you or your child to come forward after surviving sexual abuse, and we are here to stand up against your abuser or the institution that exposed you or your child to harm. We are a local law firm, deeply rooted in Massachusetts communities across the state, including Bristol County, Norfolk County and the Boston area.
Attorney Tracy Paulsen has been representing sexual assault victims and their families for over fifteen years, using her personal injury background to advocate for those who have suffered sexual abuse. Her team at Rightful Legal combines local knowledge with proven experience holding powerful institutions and abusers accountable for their heinous actions. Unlike the experience with large, nationwide personal injury firms, where clients can easily feel overlooked, clients of Rightful Legal receive personal attention and tailored legal guidance throughout their entire case. Clients always have access to their attorney and they can reach Attorney Paulsen anytime on her personal line. Attorney Paulsen has dedicated her career to securing justice for people harmed in Massachusetts, including sexual assault victims and their families.
Why Rightful Legal is the Compassionate Firm You Need to Support You
Sexual assault civil lawsuits are often emotionally difficult, and defendants can employ cruel tactics to avoid their responsibilities to survivors. Seeking justice for the harm you suffered due to sexual abuse is a courageous act, and you do not have to stand alone. Attorney Paulsen of Rightful Legal is here to stand with you and support you through this difficult time and moment of bravery and courage. We work closely with experienced, compassionate medical and psychological professionals so you are surrounded by empathy and understanding in our fight to bring you justice. There is no fee to fight, You only pay if we win for you.
Rightful Legal is committed to making the process of seeking justice from your sexual abuser and their institution as straightforward as possible. We offer victims of sexual assault free, confidential consultations with no obligation. This is your opportunity to share as much of your story as you feel comfortable, learn about your rights as a survivor of sexual assault, and discuss options for moving forward. Attorney Paulsen and her team are here to listen, advise, and support you as you recover from sexual assault and seek the justice you so deserve.
Call or Text Rightful Legal Now at 617-821-5856 or Contact our Compassionate Massachusetts Sexual Assault Victim Attorneys Online Today.
