Abuse happens in different ways and across demographics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sexual violence is a significant issue in the US. While occurring in a number of terms, sexual violence is identified under Illinois’ law as sexual assault and sexual abuse and has different parameters.
Sexual abuse is a common form of child mistreatment and is primarily used to describe abuse towards children and not adults. Criminal sexual abuse is when a person forces or threatens to use force against the victim in order to commit sexual conduct, or knows the victim can’t understand the act or give knowing consent. In addition to this, perpetrators can commit the said crime in two scenarios:
- If the perpetrator is under 17 years old and commits sexual conduct or penetration against a victim who’s at least 9 years old but younger than 17; or
- If the perpetrator is less than 5 years older than the victim and commits sexual conduct or penetration against a victim who’s at least 13 years old but under 17.
On the other hand, criminal sexual assault occurs when the perpetrator uses force or threatens to use force against the victim or knows the victim can’t understand the nature of the acts and give knowing consent. Sexual violence may also be identified as criminal sexual abuse if:
- The abuser is a family member of the victim with the victim being younger than 18 years old; or
- The abuser is 17 years old or older and was trusted or had authority and supervision over the victim who’s at least 13 years old but younger than 18.
The path to healing will always depend on the victims and survivors. But if you or a loved one decide to seek legal counsel for a sexual assault or sexual abuse case, rest assured that our attorneys here at America’s Consumer Lawyer will dedicate the time and effort to win your case. We value your privacy, understand your plight, and believe in quality representation.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at what we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at America’s Consumer Lawyer, we put people first.
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