At our law firm, we specialize in supporting survivors of sexual abuse through their journey towards justice. We understand the intense emotional trauma associated with such experiences and are committed to providing empathetic and comprehensive legal advice.
Our team of experienced lawyers is dedicated to holding perpetrators accountable and will tirelessly fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.
At Marrone Law Firm, we will ensure that you are fully aware of your rights and provide the necessary support to help you assert them. If liable parties are involved, our Philadelphia sexual abuse and assault lawyers can initiate a civil suit on your behalf to seek compensation for the losses you have suffered in the past, present, and future. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for the support and guidance you deserve.
Determining the true extent of child sexual abuse is a challenge due to significant underreporting. Experts agree that only around 30 percent of sexual assault cases are actually reported to authorities, as stated by the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) of the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2012 alone, there were 62,939 reported cases of child sexual abuse.
According to the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), sexual assault occurs every 98 seconds in the United States, with a significant proportion of victims being children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 17 percent of boys and 25 percent of girls experience sexual abuse before the age of 18.
While no words can fully alleviate the suffering endured by victims of sexual abuse, bringing their perpetrators to justice can initiate the healing process and prevent others from falling victim to their actions.
Hazing is a form of sexual abuse that typically happens in group settings like sports teams, fraternities, and sororities. It involves harassment, abuse, or humiliation with a sexual component as part of an initiation process into a group or society. More than just harmless pranks or rites of passage, sexual hazing often has significant physical and emotional impacts on the victims and is illegal in many jurisdictions.
Our lawyers at Marrone Law Firm can provide invaluable assistance in such cases. They can guide victims through the often complex legal process, ensuring they understand their rights and options. With their extensive knowledge of the law and experience in handling similar cases, our lawyers can help victims build a compelling case, gathering and presenting evidence to prove sexual hazing.
Furthermore, our lawyers can effectively negotiate with the opposing party, or represent the victim in court if necessary, seeking justice and compensation for the physical, emotional, and psychological harm caused by the incident.
In Pennsylvania, individuals under the age of 16 are unable to provide consent for sexual intercourse or conduct, irrespective of whether the act was consensual.
The age of consent in Pennsylvania is 16, with an exception commonly referred to as the “Romeo and Juliet” exception. This exception allows the accused to potentially avoid conviction for statutory rape if they were engaged in a sexual relationship with a person within a four-year age difference.
Not all forms of sexual assault or rape involve vaginal penetration. In Pennsylvania, there is a law that recognizes other acts, known as “deviate” acts, which can result in criminal accountability for the perpetrator.
Common examples of “deviate sexual intercourse” include oral and anal penetration, as well as fellatio and cunnilingus. According to Pennsylvania law, it is considered sexual abuse when a sex act or “deviate sexual intercourse” includes the perpetrator inserting their penis into the victim’s mouth, or when the perpetrator forces the victim’s penis into their own mouth.
There are two different statutes of limitations to consider: those for minors and those for adults. When an adult experiences sexual assault or abuse, they have a two-year window from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit.
For children and minors, the deadline extends until their 30th birthday to file a civil lawsuit. It is crucial to take legal action as soon as possible, as gathering evidence becomes more challenging over time, and navigating these cases in court can be complex. However, with proper preservation of evidence, it is possible to secure a conviction.
It is also important to note that you have the option to sue both individuals and institutions. Institutions can be held accountable for protecting offenders and concealing allegations, even if they failed to report these crimes to protect their reputation. Your Philadelphia sexual abuse and assault lawyer will work diligently to ensure that all parties involved are held responsible for these reprehensible actions.
To secure a conviction in these cases, substantial evidence is required. You may be wondering what evidence should be collected and preserved. The following evidence can be crucial to your case:
– Videos
– Eyewitness testimony
– Detailed police reports of the assault or rape
– Medical records showing harm and signs of abuse
– Financial statements demonstrating costs associated with the assault, such as medical treatment and psychiatric help
– Admission of guilt from the perpetrator
In the process of building a strong case, it’s important to note that while some evidence may be readily accessible, certain pieces of evidence may require the expertise and legal know-how of a lawyer to be obtained.
Regardless of whether you are pursuing a criminal or civil lawsuit, the accumulation of substantial evidence is crucial. It is worth emphasizing that the outcome of your case can be significantly influenced by the weight and relevance of this evidence in supporting your claims and arguments.
THE MARRONE LAW BUILDING
532 Marlton Pike West
2nd Floor, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Local: 856-489-7757
Fax: 856-489-7758
THE BELLEVUE
200 South Broad Street, Suite 610
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Local: 215-732-6700
Fax: 215-732-7660
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