Sexual abuse is a serious crime that has long-lasting impacts. Violent crime in Silver Spring, which includes rape and other sexual assault acts, is higher than the state and national average. [1]

If you find yourself a victim of sexual violence, you have rights, and Injury Lawyer Team can help. Our law firm is committed to supporting abuse survivors and helping them seek justice for the crimes against them in Silver Spring.

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Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

At Injury Lawyer Team, we fight relentlessly to help you recover the highest compensation, recouping costs for medical expenses, therapy bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Our compassionate legal team helps you navigate the legal process, acting as your advocate to help you achieve justice within the limitations of the law. We have a proven track record of success and want to help you financially recover as you prioritize your healing.

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Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault

In Maryland, sexual abuse and sexual assault fall under the broader category of sex crimes, which is any type of non-consensual sexual contact or behavior.

Sexual abuse is sexual activity with a minor or anyone unable to consent due to a physical or mental disability. Sexual assault is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.

Common Forms of Sexual Assault

Because the definition is broad, it may be challenging to know what constitutes sexual assault. Common forms include:

Rape: Forced sexual intercourse
Sexual Harassment: Unwanted sexual behaviors, whether verbal, physical, or visual, occurring in person or online
Voyeurism: Someone watching you in an intimate moment for sexual gratification
Exhibitionism: Someone exposing themselves sexually to you in public
Child sexual assault: Abuse against a minor or between minors
Clergy Sexual Assault: Sexual abuse committed by religious leaders, often involving an abuse of power and trust

Institutions Where Sexual Assault Is Most Likely to Occur

We cover sex abuse cases across all areas, including these institutions:

Workplace: Employees may be vulnerable to sexual harassment by supervisors, colleagues, or clients.
In-patient treatment facilities: Abuse at rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, etc, from staff and other in-patients.
Criminal justice system: Staff or other inmates may abuse others at prisons, juvenile detention facilities, and correctional facilities.
Foster care system: Individuals may face abuse at foster homes and other government facilities for children by adults or other minors.
Care facilities: Individuals can be abused at nursing homes, daycares, adult care centers, and other types of care facilities by staff or patients.
Educational institutions: Teachers, staff, or other students can abuse students of all ages in schools and universities.
Religious institutions: Many religious institutions, including the Catholic Church, have faced allegations of sexual misconduct spanning decades at churches, camps, and other spiritual programs.
Sports clubs: Members of sports clubs at school or private teams can be abused by their coaches or teammates.
Military institutions: Members of the U.S. armed forces can face military sexual trauma during their service, including rape and abuse.
Hospitality industry: Staff members and other guests can abuse guests at hotels and short-term rentals like Airbnb.
Shelters: Often, homeless shelters, domestic abuse shelters, etc., have cases of abuse between clients and staff.
Medical facilities: Medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and other staff members, can abuse patients.

Sexual assault can happen anywhere, so if you believe you have been a victim, Injury Lawyer Team can help you understand your rights and file a claim.

Steps to Take If You Are a Victim of Sexual Assault

Survivors of sexual assault can take these steps to help with any future cases they may want to pursue.

Get yourself to safety. Take immediate steps to ensure your safety and well-being, even if it means removing yourself from where the incident occurred.
Document the assault. Write everything down, including all relevant details. Make sure to note any witnesses to the abuse and take pictures if applicable. The more information you have, the better when it comes to making your case.
Seek legal representation. Our attorneys can help you navigate the process, working with you to build a case before you go to trial. We are your advocate and can help you get the best settlement possible.
Survivors in Silver Spring can access emotional support through local organizations, including the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Montgomery County Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program.

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Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you could be eligible for various types of compensation, including:

Medical expenses
Mental health expenses (therapy, counseling, depression, and other mental health treatment)
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and trauma
Lost wages
Punitive damages

These legal damages can include past, current, and future costs you may incur. How much survivors are eligible for depends on the following factors:

Severity of abuse
Length of abuse
Impact of the abuse
The age of the victim
Evidence of the abuse

Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases

Liability holds all parties responsible for a crime, including institutions and other third parties, on legal grounds such as:

Negligence in preventing abuse
Failure to report incidents
Inadequate response to complaints

Examples of these behaviors could include fostering an environment where abuse could occur, failure to run background checks, and insufficient supervision. Institutions can be held vicariously liable, meaning they may not have done the crime but are still responsible.

Additionally, you may be able to pursue a case under Title IX regulations if the institutions are federally funded. This legal principle prevents discrimination against protected characteristics, including sex.

Similarly, in religious communities, abuse of power can make institutions liable for the actions of their clergy.

How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case

As we look to establish liability in a sex abuse case, we will focus on three areas.

Evidence: We will gather information to prove the assault happened and who should be included in the filing.
Negligence or intentional misconduct: As we examine the details, we look for all the instances where the abuse could have been prevented and was not.
Link between abuse and harm: We establish a clear connection between the assault and the harm suffered. This link includes physical, emotional, or psychological damage supported by medical records, expert testimony, and personal accounts.
Our abuse lawyers and investigators are essential in building a strong case. They help gather and analyze evidence, interview witnesses, consult with specialists, and ensure all legal procedures are followed correctly.

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How Our Silver Spring Sexual Assault Lawyers Can Help

Injury Lawyer Team are here to support survivors of sexual assault. Our attorneys can help those who have faced sexual violence file a report and start legal proceedings.

We offer free and confidential consultation for assault survivors
We can help you navigate the legal system and understand what action to take to bring your abusers to justice.
We help you build your case, investigating your claims and proving how much you suffered as a result of the assault.
We advocate for you, representing you in court against your abusers to get the maximum compensation for your assault.

The Time Limits for Filing a Sexual Assault Claim in Silver Spring

There are different statutes of limitations depending on the type of assault that occurred and the victim’s age. Adult survivors who faced sexual assault have up to three years from the date of the crime to file a claim, regardless of their age.

There is no statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse, thanks to recent legislation. The state government abolished the statute of limitation in 2023 with the Child Victims Act. Now, you can file a claim regardless of how old you are if the attack happened long ago when you were a child.

Contact a Silver Spring Sexual Assault Lawyer Today!

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are committed to helping victims of sexual assault, including those who have suffered childhood sexual abuse, seek justice and the compensation they deserve. We understand the profound and lasting impact that childhood sexual abuse can have on your life, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Related Practice Areas

Baltimore Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Columbia Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Germantown Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Waldorf Sexual Abuse Lawyer

References: [1] NeighborhoodScout