Sexual Assault Lawyer Serving Lake Worth

Sexual assault, or sexual battery, can happen anywhere, any time. It involves all members of the community, from young to old, and can happen in even the most outwardly welcoming environments.

Lake Worth, Florida, which welcomes millions of visitors to its thriving downtown and exciting special events, is not immune to sexual assault. Visitors and residents alike can face this horrible crime, which impacts a large number of Florida residents. According to the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 1,266,000 women in Florida - or one in every six women - report that they have been raped during their lives. The survey also shows that 41.8% of women in Florida have experienced sexual violence other than rape. Men also are at risk of sexual assault. The same survey shows that 20.4% of men in Florida have been the victim of sexual violence other than rape. Additionally, 27.8% of male victims of rape in Florida were under the age of 10 when the first rape occurred.

The broad definition of sexual assault or sexual battery includes any type of unwanted and offensive sexual touching. Lake Worth, like all of Florida, categorizes sexual assault as a felony. Officials in Lake Worth consider any type of sexual assault to be a serious crime, and those involving children are particularly horrific. Sexual assault crimes can also involve a variety of other charges, including stalking, child or elderly abuse, or indecent assault.

Facilities that are supposed to care for people can turn nightmarish with sexual abuse. Nursing homes, day care centers, hospitals, sober homes, and rehabilitation facilities all have faced investigations for sexual assault. Schools, including public, private and charter schools, have also seen teachers, teachers aids, principals, coaches and others arrested and convicted of sexual assault on students.

Likewise, religious institutions have faced very high profile investigations and arrests for sexual assaults. Priests, ministers, deacons and other members of religious organizations have all abused their positions and committed sexual assault against individuals who trusted them for guidance.

Sexual assault can even take place in businesses. Doctors, surgeons and dentists have all been arrested for sexual assault. Likewise, massage therapists, physical therapists, tattoo artists, and estheticians involved in waxing or laser hair removal have also faced indictment for sexual assault.

In addition to the criminal charges against a perpetrator, there also may be civil charges against those responsible for committing sexual assault. Victims of sexual assault may suffer not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. The resulting trauma from an assault can case stress, inability to work, medical bills, or other issues. Victims of sexual assault may be able to recover financial damages related to medical bills, pain and suffering, and other costs related to the assault. Additionally, third party defendants, such as co-conspirators, negligent property owners, or others, may also face charges in sexual assault cases.

While sexual assault victims are often hesitant to report crimes, the only way to hold perpetrators accountable is to hire strong legal representatives who will confidentially and vigorously pursue the case.

For a free and completely confidential consultation with Frankl Kominsky regarding your case, call us at (561) 708-5483 or contact us online. We are available to work with victims of sexual assault in Lake Worth and other South Florida communities such as Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton. We speak Spanish and Creole.