Sexual Assault Lawyers in Chicago
Too many people across the country have been victims of sexual assault or abuse, often by someone they know. In many cases, the perpetrators of this violence are never punished by the criminal justice system. While it is infuriating to see so few sexual predators face criminal penalties for their actions, there are other ways to hold them accountable.
The experienced, compassionate personal injury attorneys in Chicago at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help you pursue the justice you deserve through the civil courts. While a civil suit cannot send the person who assaulted you to jail, it can provide you with the money you need for medical care, counseling, and other support services.
We have decades of legal experience and are known throughout Illinois for our dedicated legal representation. Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today for a free consultation with one of our compassionate sexual assault lawyers in Chicago.
What Is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault can be broadly defined as any unwanted sexual contact or behavior committed by one or more people against another person. Sexual assault generally refers to a specific incident, while sexual abuse refers to a pattern of unwanted contact or actions over time. Some actions that fall under the umbrella of sexual assault or abuse include:
- Forced sexual intercourse
- Statutory rape of underage children
- Unwanted touching or other sexual contact
- Sexual contact or intercourse with someone who is unconscious, impaired, or otherwise unable to give legal consent
- Sexual contact or intercourse with a family member or committed by an authority figure
- Human trafficking/forced prostitution
- Producing pornographic content without someone’s consent or using children in pornographic images
Who Is Responsible for Sexual Assault?
The person who sexually assaulted you is ultimately the one responsible for their actions, but they may not be the only party who is liable. Illinois state law allows those who have been assaulted to hold other parties responsible if those parties had a legal obligation to keep them safe and failed to do so. Some of the entities who could share liability for a sexual assault include:
- Schools, universities, and colleges
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Hospitals and psychiatric facilities
- Prison, jails, guards, and people in authority positions over individuals in confinement
- Doctors, teachers, counselors, and others who are required by law to report instances of suspected sexual assault or abuse
- Landlords and property owners who fail to provide adequate security
In 2022, our attorneys won a $1.8 million jury verdict against a Skokie hotel whose negligence led to a Texas woman being raped by the hotel’s on-duty security guard while she was traveling on business.
What Are the Criminal Penalties for Sexual Assault?
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) describes several different Illinois laws concerning sexual assault and related crimes, as well as the penalties for violating them, which depend on the specific charge and the circumstances of the case. Specific crimes and their corresponding penalties include:
- Criminal sexual assault – Four to 15 years in prison and between $75 and $25,000 in fines per offense, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders or those previously convicted of sexual assault in another state
- Aggravated criminal sexual assault – Six to 30 years in prison and between $75 and $25,000 in fines per offense, with harsher penalties in certain circumstances
- Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child – Six to 30 years in prison, with harsher penalties in certain circumstances
- Criminal sexual abuse – Up to seven years in prison and between $75 and $2,500 in fines per offense, depending on the circumstances of the case
- Aggravated criminal sexual abuse – Three to seven years in prison and between $75 and $25,000 in fines per offense, depending on the circumstances of the case
How Common Is Sexual Assault in Chicago?
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, sexual assault cases in Chicago recently reached a 20-year high, with more than 2,000 incidents reported in one recent year alone. Meanwhile, the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) found that fewer than 20 percent of sexual assaults reported to the Chicago Police Department resulted in an arrest.
At the national level, RAINN reports that someone is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. However, this figure may be underestimated.
Places Where Sexual Assault Frequently Occurs
While sexual assault can take place anywhere, it is more likely to happen in more familiar settings, such as:
- College and university campuses – Sexual assault is a serious issue at many colleges and universities. Some predators take advantage of others drinking or using drugs at parties or other gatherings. You cannot give consent if you are impaired by alcohol or drugs, and someone who touches you or performs other sexual acts while you are impaired has committed sexual assault.
- The workplace – Managers and colleagues sometimes use intimidation or threats to coerce employees to perform sexual acts.
- At home – In cases where someone is sexually assaulted at home, the perpetrator is often a friend, family member, or spouse.
- Primary schools – Teachers have been known to use their influence to manipulate younger students. Classmates or older students may also take advantage of their access to victims.
- Churches – There have been several high-profile cases in recent years of church leaders using their influence to force congregants to perform sexual acts, which they then cover up. Notable examples include the Catholic Church and the Southern Baptist Convention.
- Organizations – Organizations like Boy Scouts and sports teams have sometimes been involved in or covered up sexual abuse.
- Rideshare vehicles – As rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft have become more popular, there has been a surge of cases in which drivers sexually assaulted passengers.
Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for Help
If you have been sexually assaulted, a personal injury lawyer in Chicago can help you file a lawsuit against the perpetrator so you can hold them accountable for their despicable actions. Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today for a free consultation with an experienced, compassionate sexual assault lawyer in Chicago.
