Being a victim of sexual assault comes with many difficulties. In addition to the trauma of the assault, you have to live with the mental anguish long after the event. You deserve justice. However, many victims don’t get the opportunity to watch justice occur. Some are too afraid to take action against their attacker. In other situations, the legal system fails the victims. If you want justice, then you need to look for a sexual assault lawyer. Find out how one can help you get justice.
Why is sexual assault such an issue in Rhode Island?
In every state, sexual assault is an issue. However, Rhode Island has a particular problem with assault. The issue is not with the state residents, but with the many college institutions throughout the state. On college campuses, drinking is a problem. And when students drink, they can do stupid things. Many sexual assaults occur at on or off-campus parties. Either the victim or the perpetrator drinks too much. In either case, the result is unwanted touching.
Unfortunately, many of the assaults on college campuses don’t ever result in criminal charges. The victims don’t report it. According to the ACLU, about 95% of college campus rapes in the US don’t get reported. If you report it, there is no guarantee that the police will take action. About 25% of reported assaults in the US end up with an arrest, according to RAINN.
Does the system protect victims?
Although the US legal system was designed to provide justice, it sometimes fails individuals. There are several reasons for this. First, there is a stigma attached to being a victim. Although most victims want justice, they fear sharing their story with the world. They don’t want others to accuse them of lying. Nor do they want others to treat them with pity. If someone chooses to file charges against her attacker, it takes courage. Speaking up about such a traumatic incident is difficult to do.
Unfortunately, those who are brave enough to file charges don’t always get results. The court system has a strict burden of proof. In some sexual assault cases, there is not enough evidence for a conviction. It becomes a case of he-said-she-said. Often, a judge or jury hesitate to convict the criminal.
Of course, there is also the issue of unfair sentencing. In many sexual assault cases, the criminal does not face serious penalties. In some cases, the criminal only gets a few months of prison time. When the criminal is a successful college athlete, the penalty tends to be minimal. Sometimes, he goes on to live a normal life. Meanwhile, the victim is left with the scars of the assault.
Recent Incidents
If you want examples of how sexual assault is unchecked, then look at Hollywood. After Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey faced public humiliation for their sexual assault against others, victims spoke up about assault in Hollywood. With public accusations, victims of actors like Dustin Hoffman and Ben Affleck came forward. In Hollywood, countless victims stayed silent for years. They only spoke up about it when they heard others do the same.
Of course, the entertainment industry isn’t the only industry with sexual assault. It happens everywhere. However, it is possible to change things by seeking justice.
What can a sexual assault lawyer do for you?
A sexual assault lawyer can help you in many ways. For one, she can advise you on how to take action against your attacker. After an assault, you might feel overwhelmed. It can be hard to know how to handle the situation. However, a lawyer can make your life easier. She can tell you what to do and how to handle the situation. If there is something that you can do to help your case, then she will tell you.
Another benefit of hiring a lawyer comes in the form of confidence. Your sexual assault lawyer may be able to give you the confidence to get justice. If she explains the process of filing sexual assault charges and walks you through the legal steps, then you might feel more confident. With her standing next to you, you might feel more willing to take action. Her words can give you the boost that you need to get justice.
Getting Aggressive
Once you decide to take action against your attacker, the difficult part begins. If you want a successful outcome, then you need a lawyer who can be aggressive. There have been too many cases that resulted in no convictions or convictions with minimal penalties. You deserve justice. In order to get it, you need a proactive lawyer. She can come up with a strategy that will get you the best results.
Your sexual assault lawyer is the key to making a change in the world. If you can get justice for your assault, then others might do the same. It is possible to make your attacker pay for his actions.