Sexual assault and rape are devastating crimes that can leave victims with serious physical injuries and lasting emotional trauma involving years of medical treatment and expenses. In addition to criminal prosecution, a perpetrator of sexual assault may face justice in civil court as well. If you have been the victim of a sexual assault or rape, you may hold your attacker financially accountable for the harm you’ve suffered and your present and future medical expenses related to the assault.
Let a compassionate Athens sexual assault and rape lawyer at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC discuss your options. With almost 40 years of combined legal experience, our trusted attorneys advocate for the rights of victims of sexual assault and rape in Athens and across North Georgia. When you’ve suffered sexual assault or rape, you need a compassionate, dedicated attorney who will take the time to hear your story, answer your questions, and guide you through the process of pursuing compensation through the civil justice system.
If you’ve been a victim of sexual violence, contact our firm today for a free consultation with a caring and experienced Athens sexual assault and rape victim attorney. We’re here to help you understand your legal options for holding your attacker accountable. We’ll do everything we can to help you recover from the trauma you’ve suffered and move forward.
What Is Sexual Assault?
Contents
- 1 What Is Sexual Assault?
- 2 What Are the Sexual Assault Laws in Georgia?
- 3 What to Do If You Are a Victim of a Sex Crime in Athens, Georgia
- 4 Common Injuries Related to Sexual Assault
- 5 How to Know When You Need an Athens Sexual Assault and Rape Victim Attorney
- 6 Contact an Athens Sexual Assault Attorney Today
According to RAINN, one of the country’s largest anti-sexual violence advocacy organizations, a person is sexually assaulted in the U.S. every 73 seconds. However, only five out of every 1,000 perpetrators of sexual assault will end up incarcerated for their offenses.
Many assaults go unreported. Some victims choose not to report their assault due to embarrassment or fear of retribution if they file a report. Other assaults go unreported because the victim may not realize that they have been subjected to sexual assault.
Sexual assault can take on many forms, including behaviors such as:
- Unwanted sexual contact, including fondling, touching of private areas, or solicitation for sexual relations
- Unwanted sexual acts, including oral sex or penetration
- Exposing one’s intimate parts or nude body to someone against their will
- Taking intimate photos of someone without their consent for personal use or distribution
What Are the Sexual Assault Laws in Georgia?
The Georgia Code outlaws various forms of sexual assault. In particular, the law defines various forms of sexual assault as:
- Rape, or the forcible penetration of a female victim’s sex organ by a male sex organ
- Aggravated sodomy, or forcibly performing any sex act with a sex organ against the mouth or anus of another
- Sexual battery, or making physical contact with the intimate parts of a victim without their consent
- Aggravated sexual battery, or penetrating the sex organ or anus of a victim with a foreign object without the victim’s consent
- Public indecency, a lewd exposure of sex organs, a lewd appearance when partially or fully nude, or indecent fondling or a lewd caress of another person
In addition to being a crime, sexual assault also constitutes a basis under Georgia law for the victim to file a civil suit against the perpetrator of the assault. While a criminal prosecution can result in a sexual assault perpetrator facing prison time or fines, a civil claim allows the victim of the assault to recover financial compensation for their physical and emotional injuries and related economic losses. Contact our Athens sexual assault lawyer today.
What to Do If You Are a Victim of a Sex Crime in Athens, Georgia
If you believe you may have been the victim of a sex crime in Georgia, you can take the following steps to protect your rights and begin the process of seeking justice for the physical and emotional harm you’ve suffered:
- Consider reporting your assault to law enforcement, especially if you need services and protection from further acts of assault.
- If your assault took place at work or in a place of business, consider reporting your assault to your employer or the business owner.
- Seek medical attention if you’ve been physically injured or subjected to an act of penetration, touching of your intimate parts, or being touched by an assailant’s intimate parts.
- Speak to a sexual assault and rape victim attorney to discuss whether you may be entitled to pursue a civil claim against the individual who assaulted you or against other parties that can be held liable for the harm you’ve suffered.
Common Injuries Related to Sexual Assault
Sexual assault can result in a variety of physical and mental injuries, including:
- Abrasions and lacerations
- Bruising
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxiety and depression
How to Know When You Need an Athens Sexual Assault and Rape Victim Attorney
After you’ve suffered sexual assault or rape, you may need legal representation from an Athens sexual assault lawyer to assert your legal rights and interests in circumstances such as:
- You’ve suffered physical and/or emotional/mental injuries due to your assault.
- You’ve incurred medical bills or missed time from work due to your assault.
- Your assault took place at work, and you wish to file a legal claim against your employer for failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent the assault.
- Your assault took place at a commercial establishment, such as a hotel, spa, gym, or school, and you wish to pursue a claim for compensation against the property or business owner.
- You’ve been contacted by insurance companies or defense law firms looking to settle your sexual assault claim.
In these cases, a sexual assault and rape victim lawyer can help you evaluate your options and represent your interests in seeking a financial recovery. Contact our Athens rape lawyer today.
Contact an Athens Sexual Assault Attorney Today
If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you need compassionate, dedicated legal representation to help you secure the justice you deserve. While we know that no amount of money can erase the harm you’ve suffered, our victim litigation lawyers believe that holding the perpetrator accountable can help you heal and move forward.
Contact R. Alan Cleveland, LLC today for a free, confidential consultation with an Athens sexual assault victim attorney. Our firm will work to recover legal accountability and financial compensation for you.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or rape in Athens, Georgia, several organizations offer support and resources:
The Cottage: Sexual Assault Center & Children’s Advocacy Center
- Services: Provides support for survivors of sexual assault and child abuse, including a 24/7 crisis hotline, advocacy, counseling, and prevention education.
- Contact: 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 1-877-363-1912
- Website: northgeorgiacottage.org
Athens-Clarke County Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Program
- Services: Offers forensic medical examinations and evidence collection by specially trained nurses, ensuring compassionate care for survivors.
- Contact: Office: 706-613-3808
- Website: accsane.org
University of Georgia’s Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Program
- Services: Provides free advocacy and support for UGA students affected by sexual assault, relationship violence, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual harassment.
- Contact: Office: 706-542-8690
- Website: healthpromotion.uga.edu/rsvp/
Project Safe
- Services: Aims to end domestic violence through prevention and educational programs, crisis intervention, ongoing supportive services, and advocacy.
- Contact: 24-Hour Hotline: 706-543-3331
- Website: project-safe.org
Family Counseling Service of Athens, Inc.
- Services: Offers individual, marriage, and family counseling, including specialized programs addressing youth substance abuse, children’s adjustment to divorce, and anger management.
- Contact: Office: 706-549-7755
- Website: fcsathens.com
Athens-Clarke County Police Department’s Family Protection Center
- Services: Investigates domestic violence and sexual assault cases, utilizing the SANE program to ensure victims receive appropriate medical examinations and support.
- Contact: Office: 706-613-3330
- Website: accgov.com/872/Domestic-Violence-Sex-Crimes
These organizations are dedicated to supporting survivors and promoting healing within the community.