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Rochester Sexual Abuse Lawyers

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★★★★★

We absolutely can’t thank you enough.

Powers & Santola was so knowledgeable and caring. I was so very fortunate to find such a great law firm.

- John

New York Sexual Abuse Attorney Handling Claims In Rochester

When a person is sexually abused or sexually assaulted, it can be extremely difficult to come forward and tell the police or anyone about what happened.  Indeed, much sexual abuse and assault victims question whether they should report the crime at all due to a wide range of emotions from fear and anxiety to anger and embarrassment. It is important to know that the person who abused or assaulted you can face civil penalties in addition to criminal penalties. By reporting the abuse to law enforcement, officials can begin conducting a criminal investigation. In addition to a criminal action,  read below to learn more about how Rochester sexual abuse claims allow survivors to seek financial compensation.

Rochester sexual assault lawyer can get started on your case today.

What Is A Sexual Abuse
Claim In Rochester?

Sexual abuse and sexual assault are terms often used in New York criminal law, but it is important to know that there can also be successful civil claims for money damages. Sexual abuse and assault are crimes that are committed against both children and adults. The laws that permit civil claims can vary depending upon the specific facts of the case, but under the right circumstances, victims of sexual abuse or assault can bring a civil action for damages whether the abuse happened to them when they were a child or an adult.

The Child Victims Act (CVA) allows survivors of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits against the alleged perpetrator and potentially others, including institutions. In August 2019, this law took effect, permitting victims of child sexual abuse in New York to seek compensation from responsible parties, regardless of the victim’s age at the time of the filing. This law is aimed specifically at adults who survived child sexual abuse when they were minors and for whom a civil claim may have been previously time-barred. The CVA revives those actions. Now, under the CVA, people who were victims of child sexual abuse can file a claim within one year from the date that the new law took effect. This gives child sexual abuse victims of any age until mid-August 2020 to file a claim.

As an update: On August 3, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed additional legislation extending the look-back window for victims to file claims under the Child Victims Act by a full year and claims can now be filed under the Child Victims Act until the end of the day on August 13, 2021.

Learning More About
Rochester Sexual Abuse & Assault

Both children and adults can become victims of sexual abuse and assault. According to the Crimes Against Children Research Center:

  • Approximately 1 out of every 5 girls or sexually abused
  • Approximately 1 out of every 5 boys will become a victim of child sexual abuse
  • Nearly 30 percent of kids between the ages of 14 and 17 have been sexually victimized at some point in their lives
  • hildren between the ages of 7 and 13 are those most likely to become victims of sexual abuse

Yet sexual violence does not just affect children. To be sure, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) reports that hundreds of people in the U.S. are affected by sexual violence each day, with an average of one American becoming a victim of sexual assault every 92 seconds. On average, a child becomes the victim of sexual abuse every 9 minutes in the U.S.

Contact A Rochester Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Making the decision to file a sexual abuse claim in New York can be a complex and difficult one, but it is important to know that a dedicated and compassionate advocate at our firm can help with your case. Do not hesitate to get in touch with a Rochester sexual abuse lawyer at Powers & Santola, LLP. We have years of experience assisting clients with a wide variety of civil claims, and we can begin working on your case today. Contact Powers & Santola, LLP to learn more.

Call Today! (518) 465-5995

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