Utah Sex Abuse Victim Lawyers
The trauma a child goes through when they are sexually abused is hard to comprehend. No child or their family should ever experience it. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by sexual abuse.
At Swenson & Shelley, we are dedicated to representing and advocating for Utah sex abuse victims, particularly those harmed by doctors, counselors, and staff members at facilities for troubled youth — the very people that children, families, and communities should be able to trust. Our firm is committed to bringing perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice and holding them accountable for their egregious actions. If your child has been sexually abused, contact the Utah sex abuse lawyers at Swenson & Shelley immediately for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
Importance of Legal Representation
When a child is sexually abused, the whole family experiences the repercussions. Every case of sexual abuse is traumatic, but when the perpetrator is a known individual in whom children and families have placed their trust, the sense of violation and betrayal can be overwhelming. When a doctor, counselor, or another trusted individual harms a child, holding them accountable is crucial.
Sex abuse survivors deserve justice. The attorneys at Swenson & Shelley are tireless advocates for sexual abuse victims, allowing them to focus their time and energy on healing and moving forward with their lives. Coming to terms with and recovering from sex abuse can be a lengthy process, but you and your child don’t have to do it alone.
As the parent of a survivor, you have the right to bring a claim against a perpetrator on your child’s behalf. It’s essential to have an experienced attorney on your side who knows Utah law and will fight for your family. We will work aggressively to see the abuser brought to justice and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
At Swenson & Shelley, we do everything in our power to bring the full weight of the law to bear on perpetrators of sexual abuse. We fight for you, your child, and your family so that you can focus on your emotional and psychological recovery. We also help prevent other families from ever having to endure this process by bringing the abuse to light.
Services Offered
When seeking compensation for sexual abuse, you need an attorney who will provide comprehensive legal support. At Swenson & Shelley, we have the experience, resources, and skills to pursue financial relief for all the losses you and your child have suffered due to sexual abuse.
The legal process is complex and time-consuming. Your family shouldn’t be burdened with navigating the legal system. We can handle the entire case, allowing you to focus on your family’s needs while we pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Because it can be traumatic for sex abuse survivors to talk about their abuse, we can refer your family to resources that can aid in the recovery process. If you need access to counselors or professionals specializing in recovery from sexual abuse, we can help. In these difficult cases, we prioritize the child’s well-being throughout the legal process by considering their needs and minimizing the possibility of further trauma.
At Swenson & Shelley, we have considerable experience advocating for sexual abuse victims. We’ve handled many cases and successfully secured compensation for our deserving clients. We’re here to support you throughout the process and are committed to making sure perpetrators of sexual abuse pay for their crimes.
Statute of Limitations
Sexual abuse can be a one-time occurrence, or it can be perpetrated over many months or years. The effects of sexual abuse can take years to address and overcome. It’s essential to contact the police when sexual abuse comes to light to prevent others from being victimized and to ensure your legal process gets underway as soon as possible.
There is a statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases in Utah, but the good news is that recent changes to state law have significantly extended the timeframe that many sex abuse victims have to file a civil claim. In passing new laws, the legislature took into account research that has increased our knowledge and understanding of how sexual abuse impacts survivors, particularly those who are abused as children.
Current Utah law allows a survivor of child sex abuse to file a civil claim against the perpetrator at any time. A survivor may also file a civil claim against a non-perpetrator (such as an adult who knew about the abuse but didn’t take action to stop it) within four years after turning 18 or within four years of discovering the abuse.
Furthermore, survivors of child sex abuse who were previously barred from filing claims due to the now-defunct statute of limitations may have legal options under the new law. Now, they can bring a civil claim within 35 years of their 18th birthday or within three years of May 4, 2022, whichever is longer.
Under Utah law, adults who suffer sexual abuse have eight years from the date of the incident to bring a civil action against the perpetrator, provided that they reported the abuse within four years of its occurrence. On the other hand, a survivor who does not file a police report has only four years from the date of the incident to file a claim.
There are exceptions to the statutes of limitations, so speaking to a knowledgeable sex abuse lawyer is crucial. An experienced attorney can review the facts of your case to determine how the law applies and explain your legal options for seeking compensation and justice.