Sexual Offenses Florida Attorney
Sexual offenses do not discriminate. These crimes affect all races, communities, and genders, and they often occur early in life when a person is vulnerable and not able to defend themselves or go to the authorities. A Sexual offense is any type of unwanted sexual contact. This includes sexual words, and actions against a person’s will and consent.
According to the National sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), one of five women in the United States experienced rape during their lifetime. One in three female victims were sexually assaulted before the age of 18, and one in four males victims experienced sexual assault before the age of 18. It is important for parents to keep a watchful eye over their children.
To illustrate, just recently, a well-respected martial art instructor in Naples Florida, (Marcel Goncalves), got arrested for having sex with a 16 year-old girl who was his student. These types of crimes happen more often than we realize, and the majority of them go unreported. Parents should be involved in their kids’ extracurricular activities, and they should become acquainted with their children’s tutors, mentors, and coaches.
Sexual offenses include:
- Rape or sexual assault
- Incest
- Statutory rape (adult engage in sex with a minor)
- Unwanted sexual contact/touching
- Sexual harassment
- Sex trafficking
- Nonconsensual image sharing
Important Definitions
The Florida Uniform Crime Reports defines Forcible Sex Offenses as: any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will;
or not forcibly or against the person’s will, where the victim is incapable of giving consent. The Forcible Sex Offense category includes offenses classified as Rape and Fondling.
Rape: Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.
Fondling: (Florida Specific) – The touching of the private body parts of another person, using either an object or human contact to commit the act, for the purpose of sexual gratification, forcibly and/or against that person’s will or, not forcibly or against the person’s will, where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her youth or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental incapacity.
What Can You Do if you are a Victim of Sexual Offenses?
Thousands of sexual assault cases go uncharged every year in Florida. Many sexual assault victims never report the crime to the authorities because of fear and embarassment. Below is a list of what you can do if you or a loved one is involved in a sexual offense case:
- As a preventive and cautionary measure, search the local sexual offender/predator database that corresponds to your neighborhood.
- Notify law enforcement officials right away, do not hesitate.
- Get medical attention right away.
- Consult with a sexual assault attorney.
Call A Personal Injury Lawyer Now!
You may be able to take legal action if you or a loved one has been involved in a sexual offense case. Contact the law offices of Shannon J Sagan to speak about your case. We guide victims of sexual assaults, and help them secure maximum compensation for their injuries and other damages. Call us now at 561-DASHCAM (3529) for a free consultation.
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