Local Greensboro Sexual Abuse Lawyers Near You

Greensboro Sexual Abuse Attorneys Near You

In addition to any criminal proceedings, survivors of sexual assault in Greensboro can seek compensation and accountability through a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator and any other responsible parties. Under North Carolina law, survivors generally have three years from the date of the assault to file a civil claim, though this deadline is extended for survivors of childhood sexual abuse under the SAFE Child Act. The attorneys at Lanier Law Group have spent years representing sexual abuse survivors in Greensboro and throughout North Carolina, holding perpetrators and the institutions that enabled them accountable beyond what the criminal justice system alone can deliver. We handle more sexual abuse cases than any other firm in North Carolina, and our commitment to every survivor we represent is unwavering. We are passionate about survivor rights and will fight to get you the justice you deserve.

What Is a Civil Lawsuit for Sexual Assault?

Pursuing Your Claim Separate from Criminal Charges

When survivors of sexual assault have already pursued criminal charges, whether successfully or not, they can still seek justice against the perpetrator through a civil lawsuit. A civil case is entirely separate from a criminal proceeding because it provides compensation directly to you as the survivor. You may also be able to pursue claims against third parties, such as an employer or a property owner, if their negligence or failure to act created the conditions that allowed the assault to occur.

A civil lawsuit puts you in control of your own case, with your attorney guiding you every step of the way. It can provide a path to closure on your own terms. A civil claim for sexual assault in Greensboro can compensate you for the many ways the assault has affected your life, which may include:

• Medical treatment
• Psychiatric and psychological care, which may be ongoing
• Pain and suffering
• Treatment for emotional trauma
• Rehabilitation of personal and romantic relationships

Our Nearby Greensboro Sexual Abuse Law Firm

Lanier Law Group Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer Greensboro
6518 Airport Center Dr
Greensboro, NC 27409
336-814-9543

What If My Attacker Was Not Criminally Convicted?

You can still pursue a civil claim even if your assailant was found not guilty in criminal court or if law enforcement declined to prosecute due to insufficient evidence. Civil cases operate under a different legal standard and a lower burden of proof than criminal cases. It can be significantly easier to hold your attacker accountable in civil court than in a criminal proceeding, and a civil lawsuit can also reach third parties who bear responsibility for what happened.

At Lanier Law Group, our commitment to every survivor we represent is genuine and unwavering. We have been fighting for sexual abuse survivors across Greensboro and throughout North Carolina since 1997, and we are here to help you in your time of need.

Types of Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse refers to a range of abusive sexual behaviors committed by one person against another. It can happen to people of any gender or age and does not always involve violence or physical contact. Sexual abuse is by definition nonconsensual and unsolicited, taking many forms under North Carolina law, including:

• Rape and Statutory Rape. At the federal level, rape is defined as a nonconsensual penetrative sex act, regardless of degree. In North Carolina, this includes situations where the survivor is unable to give consent due to intoxication, mental incapacity, or other factors. Statutory rape occurs when an adult age 18 or older engages in sexual intercourse with a minor, defined in North Carolina as anyone under the age of 16, whether or not consent is given.
• Sexual Assault. According to the United States Department of Justice, sexual assault encompasses any nonconsensual sexual act prohibited by federal, tribal, or state law, including situations where the survivor lacks the capacity to consent. This may also include the threatened or actual use of force or a deadly weapon to compel sexual activity.
• Sexual Harassment. This refers to unwelcome or uninvited sexual advances, requests, comments, indecent exposure, messages, and other sexually suggestive or explicit behaviors directed at an individual or group. Sexual harassment may or may not involve physical contact and can occur in public, in the workplace, at home, in educational settings, in spaces where individuals abuse positions of authority including online, and in many other circumstances.
• Sexual Battery. Sexual battery involves unwanted sexual contact with another person’s body, whether by force or through manipulation, such as when the survivor is incapacitated, mentally disabled, or physically helpless. The key distinction between rape and sexual battery is that the latter does not involve penetration or sexual intercourse.
• Inappropriate Touching, Fondling, or Groping. Sexual abuse includes unwanted touching, groping, slapping, rubbing, fondling, and other forms of nonconsensual sexual contact. These acts should never be minimized or dismissed, as perpetrators who go unaddressed often escalate to more invasive and violent forms of sexual aggression.

Keep in mind that laws defining sexual abuse in the United States can differ from state to state. In today’s world, sexual abuse may also occur online, over the phone, and through any type of screen in varying degrees of severity. If you’re seeking legal representation as a victim of sexual abuse, consider reaching out to our lawyers serving Greensboro for sexual assault for guidance.