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Rape is incredibly traumatic for survivors. There are fewer crimes more heinous. It can be difficult to talk about rape, and even more so to come forward against a perpetrator.
At DRZ Law, we are compassionate, experienced and dedicated rape victim lawyers in Kansas. We will do what it takes to give you a voice in the civil justice system while always putting your needs first. If you wish your identity to remain confidential, for example, we will ensure your anonymity. Please contact us today for further information. Initial consultations are free and private.
The right lawyer can make a major difference to your rape or sexual assault civil case in Kansas. Having a dedicated and experienced lawyer representing you can lead to stronger advocacy and greater odds of securing maximum financial compensation. More importantly, the right lawyer will make you feel safe and cared for during the legal process, which can be daunting for survivors. A lawyer can provide many services during your civil lawsuit, including:
At DRZ Law, we provide unparalleled legal services to sexual assault and abuse survivors throughout Kansas. We are highly knowledgeable in this practice area, as it is our specialty. We are proven trial attorneys who aren’t afraid to take on major institutions and insurance companies both in and out of the courtroom. We are proud to say that we have a 100 percent success rate in securing financial compensation for our sexual assault and rape clients.
Most states have similar definitions of rape and sexual assault. According to Kansas State Legislature Section 21-5503, the crime of rape is to knowingly engage in sexual intercourse with a victim who does not consent under any of the following circumstances:
Statutory rape is the crime of sexual intercourse with an individual who is under the age of consent – 16 in Kansas. Even if the individual willingly participated in the sexual activity, it is considered rape, as a child who is 15 or younger cannot give his or her consent.
As a rape victim in Kansas, you may assume that you only have the right to hold the person who sexually assaulted you accountable. However, you may have other legal options, depending on the circumstances. You may be able to file a civil lawsuit against an institution for harboring an abuser or failing to protect you from sexual assault. You may have a case against the following institutions for rape:
Involving an institution in a rape case can help you achieve more complete justice and collect greater financial compensation. Although filing a lawsuit against an institution may seem daunting, it can be easier with a lawyer representing you.
Part of what makes rape such a terrible crime is the psychological effects that it has on a victim. Rape does not only come with immediate or short-term harm to the victim, such as physical injuries and temporary emotional shock. It can inflict long-term pain, suffering and mental anguish that may last a lifetime. This is why many survivors still choose to come forward after years or even decades have passed since their sexual trauma. They are still dealing with the repercussions of rape in their daily lives and deserve justice.
Some of the most common long-term effects associated with rape are:
Sadly, it only takes a moment to inflict harm upon a rape victim that could last forever. The long-term repercussions associated with rape can cause years of emotional turmoil, mental health conditions, related necessary medical care and missed opportunities in life. It is a heinous crime that can leave survivors feeling dehumanized. A sexual assault lawsuit is a step toward regaining autonomy and control over your life. You can take your power back by demanding justice.
Taking on institutions for their part in allowing a victim to be sexually assaulted is one of our specialties at DRZ Law. We represent clients in Kansas and throughout the country against many different types of institutions, big and small. If you trusted your safety or that of your child with an institution, you may be able to hold it accountable for acts of negligence that created an environment where rape could occur, such as protecting perpetrators, ignoring complaints, failing to supervise children and failing to maintain a safe premises. Our experienced lawyers advocate for rape victims, and are dedicated to empowering victims of institutional abuse and changing the system to prevent such crimes from happening again.
A law known as a statute of limitations may affect your ability to file a lawsuit for sexual assault or rape in Kansas. This law imposes a time limit for sexual assault survivors to bring civil causes of action in Kansas. Currently, the statute of limitations is 3 years from the date that a victim of childhood sexual abuse turns 18 – until the age of 21 – according to Kansas Statutes Annotated Section 60-523.
The statute of limitations clock restarts with mental health issues that arise later on in life due to sexual abuse experienced much earlier. If an adult does not realize that his or her mental health conditions are connected to childhood sexual trauma or rape until after the age of 21, the discovery rule can extend the statute of limitations to 3 years from the date of discovery of this connection.
Recently, many states have reformed their sexual assault civil laws to allow survivors more time to come forward or eliminate the statute of limitations completely. Similar laws have been submitted in Kansas, such as Senate Bill 420, but have so far failed to pass. Filing deadlines are constantly evolving and subject to change at any time. Before you assume you have missed your deadline, contact an attorney.
Note that there is no longer a statute of limitations on criminal rape cases in Kansas. This means a perpetrator could face criminal charges for rape at any time – even decades after the crime was committed. The time limit for bringing criminal charges for other sexually violent crimes depends on the age of the victim.
You do not have to suffer in silence as a rape survivor in Kansas. We are here to help you feel empowered and find your voice. Our lawyers will aggressively represent your interests during a civil case against an institution that allowed such a grave miscarriage of justice. We are well-versed in the physical and emotional traumas a rape victim suffers and offer respectful counsel to help you through this difficult time. Discuss how we can help you in more detail during a free and confidential case evaluation today. Contact our qualified rape victim layers online or call (913) 400-2033.
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