If you were sexually abused, the effects of that abuse may affect you in many ways—impacting your job performance, your enjoyment of life, your ability to have positive relationships, and your perspectives about a positive future.
The compassionate attorneys at Peterson Law Firm understand that it’s often difficult for victims of sexual abuse to discuss what happened to them. In fact, less than 50% of victims ever communicate their abuse to others, and some never report their abuse at all. Not discussing the abuse is common, and most abusers hope the victim keeps silent about the incident.
Our attorneys know that the criminal justice system can hold assailants accountable, but many abuse survivors don’t realize they have additional legal options that can provide compensation for their losses, a sense of empowerment, and possible closure. If you're a survivor wondering what steps to take next, learn how our experienced Kansas City attorneys can help you navigate the legal system while protecting your privacy and well-being. Here, we discuss these options and guide you through the process of seeking justice.
Legal Options Available to MO Sexual Abuse Survivors
The criminal justice system isn’t the only way sexual abuse survivors can deal with an assailant. Other legal options exist that can help you seek justice, potentially recover damages, and possibly reclaim your life. When you press charges, a criminal case is filed by the state against the assailant. If they’re convicted, they may be imprisoned, put on probation, and registered as a sex offender. The Kansas City prosecutor's office handles these cases, but we can help you communicate with the prosecutor and prepare for testimony.
Making an Impact Statement
During your court appearance, you’re allowed to explain to the court how the abuse affected your life. This is called a victim impact statement. It’s a significant tool that gives you a voice in the sentencing process and can help judges understand the full impact of the crime. Our Kansas City abuse attorneys can help you create a statement that effectively communicates your experience.
Applying for Financial Assistance
Missouri has victim compensation funds that provide financial assistance to crime victims. These state-administered programs can help cover medical expenses, therapy costs, and lost wages resulting from the abuse. Your attorney can explain the application process and help ensure you receive all benefits you're entitled to.
Filing a Civil Lawsuit
You can also file a personal injury claim against your assailant that can provide compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Unlike a criminal case, civil cases make it easier to hold the assailant accountable.
Making a Third-Party Liability Claim
You may also file a claim against organizations that enabled or failed to prevent abuse. Schools, churches, healthcare facilities, and employers can be held responsible if they negligently hired predators or ignored warning signs of abuse. Our Kansas City sexual abuse attorneys can help identify all potentially responsible parties.
Benefiting From Protective Measures
You can get a restraining order that provides you with legal protection. This order can prohibit your assailant from contacting or approaching you. Kansas City courts can issue these orders quickly, often on the same day you apply. Our attorneys can help you file the necessary paperwork and represent you at any hearings.
There are also privacy protections during legal proceedings that can help shield your identity, so there is no public disclosure of your name, address, or personal information. Our Kansas City sexual abuse attorneys can request that court records be sealed and advocate for limited media access to protect your privacy throughout the legal process.
How Our Kansas City Sexual Abuse Attorneys Provide Legal Help
Our attorneys provide more than just legal representation. They will become trusted advocates who understand the unique challenges sexual abuse survivors face and people you can rely on to treat your situation with dignity and respect.
We Create a Safe Environment
Our Kansas City sexual abuse attorneys understand how abuse affects a victim’s memory, decision-making, and communication. We create a safe environment for our clients, so they avoid unnecessary re-traumatization. We also pace our legal proceedings according to your comfort level. We work to validate your experiences and respect your autonomy throughout the legal process.
Many sexual abuse attorneys in Kansas City work with multidisciplinary teams that include therapists, victim advocates, and medical professionals. This holistic approach ensures you receive comprehensive support while pursuing legal action. Your attorney can refer you to trusted providers who understand both trauma and legal proceedings.
We also provide confidentiality protections that are more than standard attorney-client privilege. We will offer additional safeguards to protect your privacy, such as using private meeting spaces and limiting access to your case files even within our firm.
We Collect Critical Evidence to Build Your Case
Our skilled Kansas City sexual abuse attorneys know how to gather and preserve evidence that strengthens your case. This might include medical records, communication with the assailant, witness statements, and expert testimony about the psychological impact of sexual trauma. Your attorney handles these sensitive materials with discretion and purpose.
Expert witnesses can validate your experience and explain to judges and juries how trauma affects victims. These professionals include psychologists, medical doctors, and researchers specializing in sexual abuse. Your Kansas City attorney has relationships with credible experts who can support your case effectively.
When we calculate the damages you’ve suffered, we understand that those damages go beyond immediate medical bills and lost wages. It includes future therapy needs, lost earning potential, and compensation for emotional suffering. Our attorneys work with financial experts to help ensure all aspects of your harm are properly valued, preventing you from accepting settlements that don't adequately address long-term impacts.
We’ll Negotiate and Litigate
Most sexual abuse cases settle before trial, allowing survivors to avoid the stress of testifying. Our Kansas City attorneys will handle all negotiations, working to secure fair compensation while protecting you from direct interaction with your assailant or their representatives. They'll present all settlement offers to you with clear explanations, helping you make informed decisions.
If your case goes to trial, our attorneys will make sure you’re thoroughly preparation for testimony. They'll explain courtroom procedures, practice potential questions, and develop strategies for managing anxiety while testifying. Throughout the trial, they serve as your voice and shield, objecting to inappropriate questions and helping ensuring court rules regarding victim protection are enforced. Read our case results to learn how we’ve helped other abuse victims seek justice.