Sexual abuse is a very real problem in North Carolina. In fact, statistics show that in 2011 there were 5,105 cases of North Carolina sexual abuse investigated by state agencies.
The case of a former Gaston County wrestling coach who was recently convicted of inappropriate sexual contact with his athletes has brought the spotlight to the crisis of abuse in our state.
The 46-year-old coach was accused of having inappropriate and illegal sexual contact with three of his athletes between the years of 1998 and 2004. WRAL News reports court documents show the molestations took place at numerous locations, including the victims’ and the perpetrator’s homes as well as school grounds.
A jury convicted the coach on 17 of the 20 charges, which could result in years of prison time.
The conviction will hopefully provide some closure to the incident for the victims and their families. But it’s important for those who have suffered sexual abuse to know there are other ways besides the criminal justice system to hold the people who harmed you accountable for their actions.
One option is the civil justice system. Filing a complaint in civil court allows victims of sexual abuse to attempt to obtain compensation for damages caused by another person’s actions or negligence. This includes not only the abuser, but also anyone else who may have contributed to, or facilitated the abuse through direct action, inaction, or negligence.
At HensonFuerst, we know proving a sexual abuse case in our state can be a complex process. That’s why it’s so important to have a North Carolina personal injury lawyer by your side when filing such a claim.
If you are a victim of sexual abuse, remember it’s not your fault, and there is more than one way you can bring your attacker to justice. If you have questions about filing a civil action against your abuser, we want to help. We can be reached by calling (866) 777-1170 or completing the online consultation form on our website.
