Sexual Abuse Lawyer Tucson AZ

Sexual abuse occurs far too often in Tucson, Arizona. In 2018, Tucson experienced a rape rate of 93.79 per 100,000 population [1], which is a terrifying number. Sexual abuse survivors usually deal with the physical and emotional pain for years, if not their entire lives.

One of the ways to combat this troubling pattern is to hold the abusers responsible for their actions. You can do this with a civil lawsuit against them, which aims to recover compensation for damages you have suffered.

Injury Lawyer Team is a team of legal professionals who understand the importance of supporting survivors of sexual abuse and assault. When you work with a sexual abuse lawyer, you will stand a better chance of earning maximum compensation from your civil claim in Tucson, Arizona.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

Victims face an uphill battle with recovery after sexual assault or abuse. There may be physical damage and emotional trauma that will impact their lives for years. To help you focus on healing, your sexual abuse lawyer will work tirelessly to help you receive compensation to relieve any financial stress. We understand the importance of showing compassion and being sensitive to victims of sexual abuse.

We will thoroughly investigate your case to build a strong claim. This includes assessing all damages you have suffered and gathering as much evidence as possible. An experienced attorney with extensive knowledge of sexual abuse cases will make a massive difference in your claim.

Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault

It is essential to understand how sexual abuse and sexual assault are defined under Arizona law. Sexual abuse occurs when a person knowingly or intentionally engages in sexual contact with someone without their consent. Sexual assault occurs when a person knowingly or intentionally engages in sexual intercourse or sexual oral contact with someone without their consent.

In both scenarios, the lack of consent is a significant factor. Also, sexual abuse and sexual assault often happen because of a power imbalance between the two parties. If you are unsure whether your case fits these definitions, you can ask your sexual abuse lawyer during a free consultation.

Common Forms of Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse can take many forms in Tucson, AZ. Here are a few scenarios that would fall under this categorization.

• Unwanted sexual contact – Sexual abuse can occur if an individual touches another in a sexual manner, either with a body part or object.
• Sexual intercourse – Penetrative sex with an unwilling victim is considered rape and is one of the most severe forms of sexual assault.
• Sexual exploitation – If someone uses trust, power, or vulnerability for sexual purposes with another, it could be defined as sexual abuse.
• Sexual exposure – Forcing someone to be exposed to sexual imagery, such as watching videos or being flashed, is sexual abuse.
• Child sex abuse – The parameters for a child being sexually abused are much stricter because of their age and innocence.

Institutions Where Sex Crimes Are Most Likely to Occur

Many institutions in Tucson, AZ, may be the locations of sexual assault or abuse cases. Here are some common spaces where people are sexually abused or assaulted.

• Workplaces – Employee-employer relationships can quickly become inappropriate, especially considering the power imbalances in the workplace.
• Inpatient treatment facilities – In medical clinics where patients stay overnight for care, they could be vulnerable to abuse or assault by staff, visitors, or other patients.
• Correctional facilities – Sexual abuse and assault are widespread in correctional facilities, often because of power dynamics involving prisoners and guards.
• Foster care – If foster parents are improperly vetted, children could be put into harmful environments where abuse is common.
• Daycare facilities – Children are especially vulnerable to sexual abuse, so locations where they are supervised by adults could be dangerous.
• Educational institutions – Administrators and teachers are in positions of authority over students, and taking advantage of these dynamics can lead to abuse.
• Religious institutions – Abusive clergy sometimes use religion as a means to gain power over others and take advantage of them, especially minors.
• Nursing homes – Elderly individuals are vulnerable and may not be capable of advocating for themselves, making it easier for staff or other residents to abuse them.
• Youth sports clubs—The coach/mentor relationship in sports programs may lead to abuse.
• Military institutions – Military bases and organizations have strict hierarchies and internal unspoken rules that often prevent sexual abuse from being reported.
• Hotels and short-term rentals – Staying in specific accommodations could be dangerous if an abuser has access to a room key.
• Shelters – Places meant to be refuges for people who are struggling can turn into nightmares due to lack of supervision and protection against abusive individuals.

Steps to Take If You Are a Victim

Victims of sexual abuse and assault in Tucson, AZ, often feel lost. To prioritize your well-being after suffering abuse, there are several steps you should take in the immediate aftermath. First, consider your medical needs, such as contacting your doctor or going to the hospital. You should also notify law enforcement to report the incident or have medical personnel come to you.

Document everything you can remember about the lead-up to the incident, the incident itself, and what happened after. All this information could be crucial in helping your sexual abuse lawyer win your case. The claims process will involve an investigation, negotiations, and even a trial in some cases.

For your emotional well-being, you should seek out local support services. Calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-4673) is a way to both report your sexual assault and talk about it with someone who will listen. In Tucson, AZ, you can call the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (800-400-1001) as well.

Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims

A sexual abuse lawyer from our firm can help you recover compensation for various legal damages in a personal injury claim. You may be eligible for economic and non-economic damages, which include lost income, physical pain, medical expenses, therapy bills, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Our sexual abuse lawyers know what qualifies as a legal damage and how to assess them for a fair settlement. Some elements that may influence the amount of compensation include the abuser’s defense, the amount of available evidence, and the extent of your losses.

Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases

Establishing liability is the key to winning your claim. Under state law, both individuals and institutions can be liable for the pain suffered by an abuse victim. Grounds for liability for an institution could include negligence in preventing abuse, failing to report incidents, and inadequate responses to complaints.

These facilities may be complicit in the victim’s traumatic experience due to insufficient background checks on employees, poor supervision practices, or a poor environment for protection against abuse.

Several legal principles could play a role in your case. If the claim involves an educational institution, Title IX could factor in, which regulates the treatment of different sexes. Vicarious liability occurs when one entity is held liable for the actions of another entity with which they have a relationship. If you were abused or assaulted within a religious institution, there are specific legal precedents regarding those power dynamics.

How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case

Proving liability will be your biggest challenge throughout the entire process. Your sexual abuse lawyer will help you gather evidence that proves negligence or misconduct on the part of the defendant. This evidence must also demonstrate that the damages you suffered were the direct result of their actions.

Evidence your sexual assault lawyer may collect includes photographs of the physical injuries, eyewitness testimonies, surveillance footage, doctor’s notes, medical records, and therapy bills.

Building a solid case is essential to winning a fair settlement. If you have documented everything about the incident, your sexual assault lawyer will have an easier time gathering strong evidence to support your claim. Our team also understands what information will be relevant to your case.

The Role of a Tucson Sexual Assault Lawyer

Tucson sexual assault attorneys play a significant role in this legal process. First, we offer a free legal consultation upfront so you can ask questions about filing a claim. Next, we will investigate the incident to gather all available evidence.

We will discuss all the damages you have suffered, including emotional distress, medical expenses, therapy costs, physical pain, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. As we seek justice for your suffering, we will always fight for your best interests and protect your sensitive information.

We will negotiate to obtain a fair settlement. If the case advances to court, your attorney will prepare you for trial and represent your interests throughout the proceeding. Each of our attorneys works on a contingency fee basis, so you never have to worry about upfront costs.

The Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Tucson

The statute of limitations sets a deadline for when you can file a personal injury claim for sexual abuse or assault. In Arizona, this deadline is two years from the incident date, with few exceptions. However, this is not the case for a criminal trial. Rape and sexual abuse of a child do not have a statute of limitations for a criminal proceeding.

Other forms of assault or abuse have a deadline of seven years for the plaintiff to seek a criminal trial. If you are confused about these limitations in Arizona, you can ask an attorney from Injury Lawyer Team during your free consultation about the difference between a civil case and a criminal trial.

Contact a Tucson Sexual Abuse Attorney Today!

Call 866-757-6452 or complete the online form.

Related Practice Areas

Chandler Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Mesa Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Phoenix Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Scottsdale Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Resources: [1] Macrotrends – Tucson Rape Statistics,