Marion, IL Sexual Abuse Lawyer

It’s not impossible to overcome the side effects of sexual abuse. Marion lawyers can guide you through the process of not only outlining the nature of your abuse but also fighting for the financial aid you need to recover from sexual abuse losses. Our efforts in civil court can help you name your abuser and hold them responsible for your recovery.

Morelli Law Firm’s personal injury lawyers in Marion have years of experience carefully navigating the complexity of Illinois’s sexual abuse cases. You can trust our team to address your losses with the care and compassion you deserve. Working with our team allows you to work with a stalwart advocate as you fight to get back on your feet.

Sexual Abuse Versus Sexual Harassment

Although the two terms cover some of the same territory, “sexual abuse” and “sexual harassment” describe different situations. What’s more, “sexual assault” also stands as an independent term. How, then, can you define sexual abuse without conflating it with harassment or assault?

Our team can break down your circumstances by referring to Illinois’s statutes describing assault, harassment, and abuse. We can then apply the label most appropriate to your case to your pursuit of loss-based compensation.

For example, Illinois recognizes sexual abuse as sexual assault suffered by someone under the age of 18. While older teenagers can enjoy certain freedoms, Illinois does not recognize these parties’ rights to consent to sexual conduct until they pass the age of consent.

As such, any party that makes a sexual advance toward someone who hasn’t passed the age of consent may engage in sexual abuse.

What Are Specific Instances of Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse can take on a range of forms, including the following:

• Unwanted touching
• Non-consensual verbal harassment
• Sharing pornographic images
• Blackmailing a person for pornographic images
• Rape

It’s important to remember that people can be abused sexually without being a child. Many adults suffer ongoing abuse of a sexual nature. However, the term “sexual abuse” applies mainly to children when encountered in a legal setting.

You Can Receive Damages After Filing a Sexual Abuse Claim

The compensation you can demand from the party responsible for your sexual abuse can cover losses like the following:

• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Physical losses and essential medical treatments
• Psychological treatment and/or therapy
• Physical therapy, if necessary
• Property damage, if applicable

A sexual abuse attorney in Marion can help you assign a dollar value to intangible losses like emotional distress.

Civil Sexual Abuse Claims Do Not Put Liable Parties in Prison

Unfortunately, a personal injury claim will not put the party liable for your abuse in prison.

If the state of Illinois opens a criminal investigation into a liable party’s behavior, that case may see your abuser face criminal consequences for their behavior. A civil claim solely entitles you to the right to request financial support based on the losses you endured due to an abuser’s negligence.

We Can Find the Evidence You Need to Hold Someone Financially Accountable for Sexual Abuse

When the time comes to file your sexual abuse case, you can work with a Marion sexual abuse attorney to bring together the evidence of negligence needed to prove that a liable party owes you support. This evidence can take on several different forms, including the following:

• Statements from expert witnesses
• Your testimony
• Physical evidence elaborating on the nature of the abuse
• The results from a rape kit or similar abuse test
• Electronic evidence of mistreatment

Our team can go into detail about the forms of evidence that may have the greatest impact on your case. At the same time, if compromising images or videos of your abuse are available, we can work with both you and other professionals to integrate those materials into your case without compromising you further.

Our Team Can Protect You From Retaliation

So many people find themselves reluctant to report sexual abuse because they’re afraid of how their report may impact their future. Some victims believe that a liable party may retaliate against them by either escalating their abuse, sabotaging their career, or making their personal life a living hell.

This does not have to be the case. If you work with an experienced attorney, our team can step in to stand between you and a liable party’s attempts to retaliate against you. Our efforts can help protect your future while also defending your right to hold an abuser accountable for the mistreatment you endured.

We Make Sure You Get a Say in How Your Case Progresses

Traditionally, filing a civil claim allows you to either negotiate with a liable party for a settlement or take your case to trial. Our sexual abuse attorneys in Marion understand, however, that victims of sexual abuse may not feel comfortable sitting in the same room as their abuser.

That’s why we make the option to negotiate for a sexual abuse settlement available to injured parties without forcing the issue. You do not have to be face-to-face with the party liable for your suffering if you don’t want to meet with them. Our team can step in and manage negotiations on your behalf or take your case straight to a judge.

Morelli Law Firm prioritizes your comfort in the face of the suffering you and your family endured. You can discuss how you want your case to proceed when you first meet with our team for a free consultation.

Let’s Work Together to File Your Sexual Abuse Claim

Morelli Law Firm does not balk from complicated cases. We understand how difficult it can be to address sexual abuse in or out of civil court. That’s why our attorneys make an effort to carefully address the severity of your losses without exposing you to additional trauma. Connecting with a sexual abuse lawyer in Marion, IL, allows you to get the support you need.

You can contact our team today to learn more about the services that we offer to sexual abuse survivors like you. Your initial case evaluation comes free of charge and does not obligate you to pursue a civil case against the party responsible for your losses. Let’s sit down and discuss how you can recover today.