What is sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse is any form of sexual activity that occurs without your consent. This can include assault, violence and any form of unwanted sexual contact, such as touching, molestation, forced oral sex and rape.

All forms of sexual abuse can lead to profound levels of shock, fear, depression and anxiety. Personal support is available from qualified, experienced and compassionate staff at Ison Harrison. We can talk to you confidentially to help relieve your burden, seek medical help where required and to secure financial compensation for your ordeal.

If you have, or suspect you have, been the victim of sexual abuse, you can receive discreet and confidential advice from our personal injury solicitors, with expert help in processing a sexual abuse claim.

What defines sexual assault?

The definition of sexual or indecent assault is an act of physical, psychological and emotional violation, in the form of a sexual act and inflicted without consent. It also involves forcing or manipulating someone to witness or participate in any sexual acts, suffered during childhood or adulthood.

An increasingly common form of sexual assault involves spiking someone’s drink with alcohol or drugs, or injecting them with an unknown substance. This can be with the intention of carrying out a sexual assault, and the victim therefore has no recollection of it and can’t be sure if it happened. In this and other such cases, experienced sexual assault solicitors can help you in reporting the offence to the relevant authorities and claim compensation for the assault and harm caused.

Rape Crisis England and Wales estimates that nearly half a million adults are sexually assaulted in England and Wales each year, with only 15% of those who experience sexual violence choosing to report it to the police. As experienced sexual assault solicitors we have successfully processed claims for many victims of sexual assault who were initially ashamed and reluctant to pursue a claim.

Ison Harrison solicitors believe all victims have a right to pursue a sexual assault claim and we are here to carefully and sympathetically pursue your right to justice and bring a positive end to this ordeal, so contact us today.

Types of damages resulting from sexual abuse claims

If a sexual abuse or sexual assault case is taken to a criminal or civil court, no compensation will be given to the victim.  A victim will be required to file a personal injury claim to attain compensation. A personal injury claim for sexual assault could result in:

  • General damages: For pain, suffering, and loss of amenity
  • Special damages: For past and future losses such as costs for specialist psychological treatment.
  • Aggravated damages: Depending on case circumstances, a victim may be liable to request that compensation be given for an injury to the victim’s emotional state being aggravated by the circumstances when the injury was caused, or the conduct of the defendant after the act was committed.

Experienced sexual abuse solicitors

If you are a victim of any form of sexual abuse, or have strong suspicions that sexual abuse has taken place which you have not consented to, you can contact Ison Harrison for free confidential legal advice.

Our free, initial consultation can be over the telephone or in person at our office or any location of your choice. We will advise you on all the legal options available to you in a professional but easy to understand way, at all times using the very best legal expertise who will also be trained and qualified to be compassionate and sympathetic to the nature of your ordeal. In such traumatic circumstances you need professional assistance to ensure the correct procedures are followed, the right authorities are notified of the events and that forensic evidence and witness statements are obtained in the right way and as soon as possible.

Our Personal Injury team here at Ison Harrison Solicitors have extensive expertise in many different abuse cases. With experience comes our dedication to treating clients with utmost respect. We understand how harrowing and challenging it can be to come forward with sexual or physical abuse claims. Our sexual abuse lawyers handle such cases with complete sensitivity and understanding, and we recognise it is vital for your wellbeing to resolve such issues and relieve the burden from you to aid your rehabilitation.

Contact Ison Harrison to pursue your sexual abuse claim

We have gained a trusted reputation as the Yorkshire Law Firm for dealing with sexual abuse cases with correct levels of understanding, confidentiality and medical and legal expertise.

Call us on 0113 284 5000 or email pi@isonharrison.co.uk to discuss your sexual assault claim today.