Hartford Sexual Assault Attorneys
Steadfast legal support for survivors of sexual assault in Hartford & Manchester, CT
Sexual assault is a devastating crime, both physically and emotionally. Whether it happens at the hands of a stranger, a date, a family member, a coach or a caregiver, the scars from a sexual assault can last forever. It’s crucial a perpetrator is brought to justice to ensure they’ll never harm another person again. Perpetrators and those who fail to take action against them must be held responsible for their reprehensible actions.
The personal injury attorneys at Barry, Barall, Taylor & Levesque, LLC represent victims of sexual assault in Hartford and the surrounding area. We have years of experience working with assault survivors and can provide knowledgeable and compassionate guidance on your legal options. We will fight tenaciously and aggressively for your rights.
Types of sexual assault and abuse
According to RAINN, someone in the United States is assaulted every 92 seconds, and 321,000 Americans over the age of 12 are sexually assaulted every year. Remember, these are only the assaults that are reported. Under Connecticut sexual assault laws (Sec. 53a-70 through Sec. 53a-74 to 53a-73a), assault is generally defined as any sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the victim’s consent.
This includes situations where the victim cannot willfully consent, including being unconscious, intoxicated or otherwise disabled. There are many different levels of sexual assault – but all are serious. Examples of sexual assault include:
- Any type of forced sexual act
- Rape or attempted rape
- Sexual abuse or exploitation
- Unwanted penetration
- Unwanted touching and groping
In cases of forced sexual acts, force isn’t just limited to physical threats, like a gun or a knife. Assaulters and perpetrators can also use psychological and emotional manipulation and intimidation to attack a victim.
Warning signs of sexual assault
As local attorneys in Hartford, we believe everyone should be able to recognize the signs of sexual assault and abuse, especially if you have school-aged children or elderly loved ones in nursing homes. However, unfortunately, nobody is immune to being a victim of sexual assault. If you notice sudden changes in behavior, mysterious injuries or medical problems, this could indicate your loved one may have experienced an assault or ongoing abuse.
Even more important is knowing how to protect both yourself and those close to you from potential sexual predators. Following are a few behaviors that should raise some red flags:
- Some people planning to commit sexual assault attempt to befriend their victims, or use gifts and compliments to lower their guard and make them feel safe.
- Some may ply their victims with alcohol or drugs to lower their resistance. If you notice someone focused on getting another person impaired or intoxicated, they may have the intent of incapacitating that person.
- Other perpetrators attempt to isolate their victims. This could be a rapist pulling a victim into an empty building and committing an assault, or a sexual abuser slowly isolating their victim from a support system over a matter of weeks or months.
- Finally, many sexual assaulters are master manipulators and gaslighters. Especially in cases of sexual assaults involving minors, perpetrators may coerce the victim into believing the abuse was a consensual act.
Our Hartford attorneys can provide knowledgeable and professional guidance during this difficult and emotional time.
What to do after a sexual assault in Hartford
We understand that the aftermath of a sexual assault can be confusing, frightening and maddening. However, one of the most important things you can do as a victim, or as the parent of a victim, is to report it to authorities immediately. It’s common to be wary of speaking up – you may fear retaliation, you may feel embarrassed or you may just want to put the entire situation behind you. Our attorneys are sympathetic to your situation, and we will fight the battle for you. Speaking out increases the chances of bringing your attacker to justice and collecting compensation for your losses.
One of the most crucial factors for a successful case is time. The more evidence you, as a victim, can provide, the better the chances of holding the sexual predator accountable for their actions. This means preserving as much evidence as you can by contacting authorities and receiving proper medical treatment. Then, the legal team at Barry, Barall, Taylor & Levesque, LLC can guide you through the next steps. You will not have to go through this alone with us on your side.
Pursuing compensation for your Hartford sexual assault claim
One way survivors of sexual assault can begin to achieve closure and hold their abusers accountable is via a civil claim. A victim of assault may file a civil suit against their attacker even if their attacker wasn’t convicted in criminal court. You may be eligible for financial compensation for your losses and damages, including:
- Medical expenses, including procedures and treatments related to the assault, psychological counseling, prescription medications, and other therapies.
- Lost income, if the assault prevents you from working, you can receive past and future wages.
- Pain and suffering, when abuse and trauma causes long-term trauma, you may receive compensation for emotional anguish and distress.
- Punitive damages, the courts may assign punitive damages in cases of egregious cases of assault to punish and deter the perpetrator from further acts of abuse.
In most cases, victims have three years to file a claim for damages.
Knowledgeable Hartford sexual assault attorneys
The honest and professional lawyers at Barry, Barall, Taylor & Levesque, LLC are dedicated to helping assault victims bring sexual predators to justice. We stand by your side and protect your rights throughout the legal process, giving you the support you need and helping you secure the compensation you deserve. Talk to us today. We’re located minutes off I-384 in Manchester. To schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers in Hartford or Manchester, please call 860-649-4400 or fill out our contact form.