How A Lawyer Can Help Support You As A Survivor of Sexual Abuse

April 11, 2022

By: Admin

How A Lawyer Can Help Support You As A Survivor of Sexual Abuse's article image

At Beckett, we stand with survivors. April is Sexual Abuse Awareness month, and this month, like every month, we want to ensure that survivors know that Beckett is there for them. Our team of experienced and compassionate lawyers will be by your side throughout the process if you choose to pursue legal action after being sexually abused or assaulted.


What Can I Do?

As a survivor of sexual abuse, you have the right to make a complaint to the police against the person who sexually abused or assaulted you. This complaint can be made by calling your local police station or by making a complaint in person at the station. In Canada there is no time limit on when you can make a criminal complaint against the person who assaulted or abused you.

In addition to making a police complaint, you may also have the right to bring a lawsuit to seek compensation for the personal injuries that you have suffered as a result of the sexual assault or abuse. When sexual abuse is involved, there are some circumstances in which people or institutions other than the perpetrator may also be held legally responsible. For example, the employer of the abuser may be held responsible in certain cases.

In any case, it’s best to contact a lawyer to help determine if there is the opportunity to pursue a viable lawsuit. In Ontario, along with many other provinces and territories, there is no longer a time limit on when you can bring a lawsuit for injuries caused by a sexual assault or abuse. A lawyer can help you figure out the best way forward for your unique case.


How Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Help?

It’s important to note that the general purpose of a lawsuit is based upon getting the plaintiff back to the place they would have been in had the wrongdoing not been committed. While there is clearly no amount of compensation that could undo the damage and pain caused by a sexual assault, it’s important to understand the basic principle of trying to make a person whole again, at least so far as our system can achieve that goal.

In terms of the compensation available, the most common areas that survivors of sexual assault seek out include:

  • - Pain and suffering
  • - Future income loss
  • - Diminution of earning capacity
  • - Punitive damages

If you are a survivor of sexual assault or abuse and think that you may want to seek compensation, it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help to outline the specific options that are available to you and the next steps to take for your unique situation. Our experienced team at Beckett includes compassionate lawyers who have the knowledge and expertise necessary to be by your side throughout your case and to help you find justice and healing.

If you're ready to take the next step, reach out to Beckett today. Visit our contact us form for a free case evaluation.

Published on April 11, 2022

Vulnerable Victims

October 11, 2024

Vulnerable Victims

Sexual abuse is unfortunately a plague which spans all corners of the globe, all sexes and all socio-economic classes. That being said, those who have a pre-existing vulnerability can often find themselves the target of a perpetrator more often than others. From the poor fatherless boy in the parish to the already anxiety ridden teenager at the high school, these represent “targets” to offenders. Even adults in difficult phases of their lives, such as martial breakdown or a health crisis, can be vulnerable to abuse.

Read More
Disgraced former Winnipeg football coach sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual assault

October 9, 2024

Disgraced former Winnipeg football coach sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual assault

A disgraced former Winnipeg high school football coach convicted of sexual assault and luring will spend 20 years behind bars. The 54-year-old man had pleaded guilty in July 2023 of nine counts of sexual assault and two counts of luring.

Read More
‘Done keeping it a secret’: Young woman speaks out about stepdad's sex abuse

October 7, 2024

‘Done keeping it a secret’: Young woman speaks out about stepdad's sex abuse

For more than a decade, Hope Jordan felt like she had duct tape covering her mouth. Amid fears of ripping her family apart and pressure from her mother to keep quiet, Jordan felt she couldn’t talk about the years of sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepdad, Ric Lahey, who was recently sentenced to seven years in prison.

Read More