Okabe & Haushalter
Call Today! 310-543-7708
Call Today! 310-543-7708
Okabe & Haushalter

Victims of Sexual Assault

Victims Of Sexual Assault

Call Our Dedicated Los Angeles Victims Representation Lawyers

When someone is the victim of a heinous crime, they may feel as if the only justice they can seek is via our criminal justice system. However, in many circumstances, this is not the case. Victims of sexual assault, for example, may have a viable civil claim against the parties responsible for the crime.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a sexual assault, then we invite you to contact us at Okabe & Haushalter today. Our firm is well-versed in the criminal defense arena, knows what criminal negligence looks like, and how to substantiate it both in and outside the courtroom. We have the experience, resources, and insight to ensure that the gravity of this matter is compellingly put forth before the law on your behalf.

Fight for the recognition and relief you deserve. Contact us today.

Defining Rape and Sexual Assault Laws in California

The sexual assault attorneys at Okabe & Haushalter are dedicated to helping survivors of rape and other sex crimes. We firmly believe that every survivor deserves to be heard on their own terms and in their own time.

Sexual assault is a general term that encompasses predatory sexual behavior, including:

  • Rape:

We can turn to California Penal Code 261 PC to see that rape is defined as non-consensual intercourse accomplished through threats, force, or fraud or when a victim is unconscious or incapable of consenting to the sexual activity.

Any person found guilty of committing rape in California will face significant penalties. Rape is a felony offense in this state and is punishable by three, six, or eight years in prison. If the survivor of the rape is a minor, the minimum punishment for a guilty conviction is seven years minimum in prison with a maximum of 13 years in prison.

  • Attempted rape:

Attempted rape is an unsuccessful attempt to complete the rape, as defined above.

If a person is convicted of attempted rape, the court will usually impose half the sentence they would have faced had they completed their crime.

  • Unwanted sexual touching and molestation:

Sexual battery is unwanted touching for the purpose of sexual gratification, abuse, or arousal. It can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony in criminal court and carry up to four years in prison.

  • Forcing victims to perform sexual acts (oral sex, penetration):

Using physical force or coercion to engage an unwilling participant in a sexual act.

Various Sexual Assault Crimes In Los Angeles

The attorneys at Okabe & Haushalter have extensive experience helping survivors of sexual assault throughout California. We understand the severity of these cases, and we also understand the sensitivity surrounding what happened. Our compassionate team helps those who have survived exploitation due to the following:

  • Chat Rooms
  • Online Messaging Apps
  • Child Sex Crimes
  • Indecent Exposure
  • Internet Sex Crimes
  • Lewd Conduct
  • Prostitution
  • Sexual Assault / Rape
  • Sexual Tourism

There May be Other Parties Liable in Sexual Assault Claims

Following a crime, it’s easy to assume that the one responsible party is the perpetrator who physically committed the offense. However, a third party may also bear responsibility. If there was a larger failing from an institution that allowed the crime to occur. , you may have an additional civil claim for liability.

Defendants in these suits can include:

  • Individuals:
    • Landlords
    • Employers
    • Security officers
  • Employers/businesses:
    • Security company
    • Ride-sharing corporation
  • School districts/educational institutions:
    • Colleges and Universities
    • Grade school
  • Religious institutions
    • Youth groups
    • Churches, synagogues, mosques
    • Religious
  • Government/public agencies
    • Law enforcement
    • Military
    • Public transit workers
  • Event venues:
    • Restaurants and bars
    • Night clubs
    • Hotels
    • Conference centers
    • Sports clubs
    • Stadiums and arenas

In the aftermath of a sexual assault, you shouldn’t have to burden yourself with the process of investigating the circumstances to identify all liable parties. However, you also shouldn’t have to worry that those responsible for allowing you to be victimized will not be held accountable.

This is one of many reasons to enlist the help of a Los Angeles sexual assault victims attorney. We can thoroughly investigate your case to determine who is liable.

Bringing the negligent and criminal parties to justice doesn’t just help you begin moving forward with life after a traumatic experience. It may also protect others from becoming victims in the future.

For example, maybe you were a victim of a sexual assault committed at a university campus. Perhaps it can be demonstrated that you might not have been assaulted had security measures been in place.

If the university is forced to pay the price for its failure to keep you safe, the administration will hopefully address these weaknesses to prevent other such events from happening.

Nothing can change the past. Sadly, it’s impossible to prevent an assault that’s already occurred. However, by taking legal action with the help of our Los Angeles sexual assault victims firm, you can know you’re doing your part to guard against others experiencing what you’ve had to endure.

How Prevalent Are Sexual Assault Crimes?

Sexual assault is life-changing. Brave survivors have shared their stories to bring greater awareness to the problem in society. However, many other instances likely go unreported.

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), every 9 minutes a child is sexually assaulted. Every 68 seconds, an adult is sexually assaulted. Each year, sexual assault effects:

  • 80,600 inmates
  • 18,900 military members
  • 433,648 American citizens age 12 and older
  • 60,000 children

Approximately 3% of men will experience attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. A figure RAINN experts believe is grossly underreported due to societal pressure.

Women suffer a disproportionate amount of sex crimes. 1 out of every 6 women will experience either attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. Overwhelmingly, 90% of sexual assault survivors are women.

Compensation Available for Victims of Sexual Assault in California

Don’t trust a lawyer who promises you will recover a specific amount of money when your case is resolved. It’s unethical for an attorney to make such guarantees.

That said, your odds of securing compensation in these circumstances will typically be greater if you seek representation from a Los Angeles sexual assault victims lawyer who has experience working with clients who’ve had experiences similar to yours.

A lawyer will carefully review your case to determine the full extent of your compensable losses. They can then gather evidence showing you incurred these losses as a result of your abuser’s actions. Depending on the scenario, they might also show you incurred these losses in part because negligent parties failed to ensure your safety.

Some examples of losses you might potentially recover compensation for when filing a sexual assault claim or lawsuit in Los Angeles include:

  • The cost of any medical care you may have received for injuries resulting from your assault, including psychological/mental injuries
  • Lost wages, if the trauma you experienced interfered with your ability to work
  • Punitive damages, which serve to punish those responsible for harming you or allowing you to be harmed

What Is The Time Frame For These Cases In California?

At Okabe & Haushalter, we want to help distinguish between the civil statute of limitations for a rape case and a criminal statute of limitations for rape. In this state, prosecutors can bring charges for rape regardless of how much time has passed from when the offense occurred. When California lifted the statute of limitations for criminal rape charges in 2016, this was widely seen as a victory for survivors of rape. However, the civil statute of limitations has not changed.

The civil statute of limitations refers to the amount of time that survivors of rape have to file a lawsuit against the person who allegedly committed the offense. Survivors still need to follow strict statutes of limitation when working to obtain closure and compensation for their case. Under California law, survivors of sexual abuse generally have two years from the date of the alleged incident to file a lawsuit against the perpetrator.

For minor victims of rape, this statute of limitation begins when they reach the age of majority (18) and allows for eight years from that day to file a lawsuit. In general, this means that a rape survivor has until they are 26 years old to file a civil claim against the alleged perpetrator.

There are some exceptions to this statute of limitations, particularly when a child survivor of rape does not discover that the incident occurred until after the statute of limitations has expired. In these cases, the state of California will allow three additional years from the date of discovery for the survivor to file a civil lawsuit against the alleged perpetrator.

Contact A Compassionate Survivors’ Attorney Today

If you believe that one of the above parties played a role in your sexual assault, then the time to start exploring your civil suit options is now. Our industry-recognized team of legal advocates is ready to bring aggressive, decisive action against these negligent parties and pursue every legal avenue towards securing you the compensation you deserve.

The Los Angeles sexual assault attorneys of Okabe & Haushalter will work tirelessly to hold your assailant and other responsible parties accountable. You deserve justice.

While no amount of financial compensation can give back what you have lost, pursuing civil action can offer much-needed closure. Let our dedicated legal team give you the support you need to protect your rights. Schedule a case evaluation today by clicking here or calling 310-430-7799.

It is possible to have the final say in this matter. Fill out our online form to request a free case evaluation with us today.