An investigation by The Greenville News dating back to 2013 uncovered more than half of the accused child sex predators in South Carolina either had their charges dismissed or plead to a lesser crime.
The data reviewed covered 9,583 sexual abuse cases in South Carolina.
6032 of those cases, or about 63%, were dismissed.
When the criminal courts cannot hold sexual predators accountable for the damage they have caused the survivors and their families, our Fort Mill & Greenville sexual abuse attorneys will take the lead in pursuing a civil claim that will hold them financially accountable for our clients’ physical, emotional, and psychologically injuries.
Who is at Risk for Sexual Abuse in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC?
While no one is immune to sexual exploitation or predatorial behavior, youths have higher rates of sexual abuse victimization than adults.
According to a review of court data by The Greenville News, there were nearly 2,100 sexual criminal charges prosecuted last year in our state in which the victims were children.
That is nearly three times the 769 cases of sexual crimes in which adults were victims.
Nearly 70% of all reported sexual abuse allegations including assaults on adults occur to children ages 17 and under.
Unfortunately, sexual predators focus their attention on the most vulnerable age groups, which makes daycares, schools, and churches spaces that are considered (and should be) safe high-risk environments for sexual abuse.
Predators seek out potential abuse victims based on several personal factors in the child’s relationships, which can include:
- Lack of a connection to a trusted safe adult
- Current victim of physical or emotional abuse
- Developmental challenges or disabilities
- Emotionally isolated or neglected
- Feelings of not deserving protection or respect
- Lack of education or boundaries regarding healthy touching or safe sexual feelings and behaviors
In the State of South Carolina, our Fort Mill & Greenville Sexual Abuse Attorneys can hold sexual predators accountable for their actions in civil court by pursuing the financial recovery our clients deserve for their injuries. We may also include the school, church, or business in our civil claim as legally responsible for its negligent hiring or retention of a known predator, or for allowing the abuse to occur.
What is a Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC?
Civil lawsuits are based on what the law calls “damages.”
In South Carolina, damages can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Lost enjoyment of life
At the David W. Martin Law Group, our sexual abuse lawyers in Fort Mill & Greenville will pursue the sexual predator and any other person or entity that created an environment where sexual abuse could occur, for the full compensation our clients deserve.
Our personal injury attorneys in Fort Mill, SC would like to remind all our potential clients that the outcome of the criminal Defense case has no bearing on the civil action.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorney At David Martin Law Group.
If your abuser was found not guilty in criminal court, we may still pursue a civil claim against him or her to pursue the justice our clients need to confidently move forward.
If you or your child is a sexual abuse survivor, contact our Greenville personal injury lawyers at the David W. Martin Law Group by calling (803) 548-2468 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today.
