Sex Assault Victims

Sexual violence affects thousands of victims in the United States every year. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), while the number of violent sex crimes has dropped by more than half since 1993, only 5 out of 1,000 abusers will spend time behind bars.

In the United States, someone is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds, and every 9 minutes, the victim is a child.

Statistics on Sexual Violence in the U.S.:

• 60,000 children are victims of sexual abuse annually
• 433,648 Americans are sexually assaulted or raped each year
• 18,900 U.S. military personnel experience unwanted sexual contact annually

What to Do if You Have Been a Victim of Sexual Assault in Florida?

1. Prioritize Your Safety: You have to make sure you are in a safe location immediately after the assault. 
2. Seek Medical Attention: Just like your safety, your health is a top priority. Most medical facilities have nurses, doctors, and other staff trained to collect evidence from sexual assault victims. While you may not know if you want to press charges immediately following a sexual assault, it is best to let medics collect any evidence before it is gone so that if you decide to pursue a case against your attacker, you have the best chance of achieving justice.
3. Report the Assault: You may still be in disbelief or shock yourself. While difficult, reporting the unwanted sexual act is important. If you are not ready to speak to the police, then you can always reach out to RAINN 24/7 through their National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) for anonymous support.
4. Preserve Evidence: Keep the clothes you were wearing during the assault and any other potential evidence. The clothes you were wearing during the attack or any other evidence that could be valuable should be safely preserved in the event you decide to file a report.
5. Contact Us: When you are ready to hold your abuser responsible, reach out to our Sexual Assault Victims Lawyers at Whittel & Melton so that we can assist with your civil claim. Remember you are not required to have filed a police report against your attacker to pursue a civil lawsuit for sexual assault. 

Pursuing Damages for Sexual Assault in Florida

In the U.S., there are two justice systems: criminal and civil. The criminal justice system is one where the prosecutor will decide whether or not to charge a person with a sex crime.

On the other hand, the civil justice system allows survivors of sex crimes to bring claims against their abusers seeking financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, mental anguish, and other damages related to the assault. 

Our Florida Sex Assault Victims Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can walk you through what to expect from your civil lawsuit against your abuser and make sure you fully understand your legal rights. 

We will always be upfront and honest with you about the expectations of your case. 

Statute of Limitations on Sexual Assault Claims in Florida 

• Victims have 7 years from reaching age 18 to file a lawsuit
• A lawsuit can be filed within 2 years of linking the injury to the abuse or from when the victim stops depending on their abuser 
• For minors under 18, there is no statute of limitations due to Donna’s Law, effective from July 1, 2020

While these laws can be confusing, there are exceptions, and we can make sure you fully understand how to proceed. We encourage you to reach out to us and see what we can do to help you achieve a sense of justice from your attacker. 

While we can’t make any guarantees concerning how your case will play out, we can assure you that we only have your best interests in mind.

What to Do if Your Child Has Been Sexually Abused?

If your child has been a victim of sexual abuse, it is a devastating experience. Our Florida Sexual Assault Victims’ Lawyers understand the pain and are dedicated to fighting for your child’s future.

We can help you file claims against responsible parties, such as teachers, school staff, foster parents, clergy, sports coaches, and more.

We welcome and encourage you to contact us right away to learn more about filing a claim against:

• Teachers, administrators, school volunteers, and other staff members
• The school district
• Foster parents
• Child Protective Services
• Church or Clergy members and staff
• Sports coaches
• Boy Scouts of America or other child organizations
• Other children or students
• Daycare centers and staff members
• Any other mandated reporters who failed your child

Do You Need an Attorney?

Short answer: Yes. While the State handles criminal charges, victims need an attorney for civil claims to recover financial compensation. 

Our attorneys at Whittel and Melton can support you through legal and emotional recovery, providing resources and handling all aspects of your case.

Contact Us

Call us at 866-608-5529 or contact us online 24/7 for a free consultation. We are committed to helping you reclaim your life and achieve justice. 

Read more about sexual assault cases.

• Uber and Lyft sexual assaults
• Sexual assaults on elementary, middle, high school, and college campuses
• Adult survivors of abuse
• Rape victims
• Sexual harassment at school or work
• Sexual assault at work
• Sexual abuse in youth organizations
• Sexual assault in religious organizations
• Sexual abuse by family members
• Teacher-student sexual abuse