Morelli Law Firm brings decades of combined legal experience to survivors’ pursuit of financial support after an instance of abuse. We can work directly with survivors and their families to identify a liable party and act against them without compromising a survivor’s well-being. To learn more, you can book a free case evaluation with our personal injury lawyers in Belleville.
Breaking Down Sexual Abuse in Illinois
How do you define sexual abuse in Illinois? Moreover, is sexual abuse distinct from sexual assault or sexual harassment?
Sexual abuse stands in parallel with both assault and harassment, but Illinois’s statutes consider it an independent criminal offense. The state claims that any adult who coerces, blackmails, forces, or otherwise wrongfully engages someone under 17 years old in a sexual encounter can face accusations of sexual abuse.
In other words, Illinois’s civil courts most often use the term “sexual abuse” to refer to sexual misconduct involving a minor. This doesn’t mean you have to be a minor or their representative to reach out to a sexual abuse lawyer in Belleville, though. Any party who believes they’ve endured abuse of a sexual nature can meet with our team for a free case evaluation.
Have You Been Injured In An Accident? Contact Morelli Law
877-751-9800Recovering From Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse has a different effect on each survivor. How you recover varies depending on your reaction to the abuse, the parties involved in your case, and what steps you decide to take to reclaim your life.
Morelli Law Firm does recommend a few concrete means toward recovery that all parties can take advantage of. These include the following:
Address Any Medical Concerns Related to the Incident
Instances of sexual abuse can leave survivors with complicated medical concerns, including but not limited to unwanted pregnancies. It’s in your best interest, either as a survivor or a survivor’s family member, to reach out to medical professionals and request a health assessment as soon as you can after your incident.
Working with medical professionals following sexual abuse serves two purposes. First and foremost, medical professionals can work with you to outline a recovery plan and address any injuries or other concerns you may have. Secondly, medical professionals can make a record of your losses that you may later submit as evidence of abuse to a civil judge.
The notes that medical professionals take about your injuries constitute expert witness testimony and can lend to the credibility of your case when you move to fight for loss-based support.
Contact the Police
It can be frightening to bring information about alleged sexual abuse forward to law enforcement. There are recorded incidences wherein officers have disregarded information about sexual abuse or even re-traumatized a victim.
However, sexual abuse stands as a criminal offense in Illinois. You, as a survivor or a survivor’s representative, have the right to request that the state initiate a criminal investigation into your case. Officers who take your claim seriously can open an investigation into a liable party and eventually hold that party accountable for their violations of criminal law.
If the state initiates a criminal case against the party you have named liable in your civil case, make sure you inform your sexual abuse attorney as such. Our team can keep an ear out for developments in that criminal case. Should a criminal judge convict the party you have named liable in your claim, that conviction can help you win compensation for your losses.
Contact a Sexual Abuse Lawyer in Belleville
Regardless of what officers do with the information you submit to them, you retain the right to accuse someone of sexual abuse in civil court. You must, however, meet Illinois’ burden of proof if you want to move your case forward. This is easiest to do when you have a Belleville sexual abuse attorney on your side.
What do attorneys do that specifically make your investigation simpler? First and foremost, we create a barrier between you and your case. You will not have to re-traumatize yourself to hold someone accountable for your losses. Our team can investigate the misconduct that led to your mistreatment and interview appropriate parties accordingly.
Moreover, we can help you meet your case filing deadline. You must bring your claim forward within Illinois’s personal injury statute of limitations if you want to retain the right to fight for damages based on your losses.
Discuss the Damages You Deserve
The purpose of a personal injury claim filed against a sexual abuser is to help you, a survivor, recover the financial aid you need to contend with emotional, financial, and physical losses. You must calculate the value of your claim before you bring it to a civil judge, though, if you want to fight for maximized abuse compensation.
The losses you integrate into your calculations can address the following:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD and psychological therapy
- Emergency medical care
- Lost wages or time spent away from work
- Property damage
Morelli Law Firm Supports Survivors
Morelli Law Firm’s team of experienced sexual abuse lawyers in Belleville, IL, wants to reassure survivors throughout the state: you are not alone. You have a team of people around you, including loved ones and professionals, who have tools they’re ready to put to use on your behalf.
Connecting with our personal injury lawyers allows you to secure the financial aid you need to fund your post-abuse recovery. You can contact us ASAP to secure consummate representation and discuss how our team can help you take back control of your life.
Call or text 877-751-9800 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
