Long Island Sexual Abuse Lawyer

If you’ve experienced sexual abuse as a child or an adult, your voice matters, and our Long Island sexual abuse lawyers are ready to help you. At Morelli Law Firm, we’ve been helping clients since 1998, and we’ve recovered over $1 billion in settlements. 

Our Long Island personal injury lawyers understand what challenges you may be facing in addition to initiating legal action. Our team can help you through the legal process so you can focus on healing. 

What Qualifies As Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse encompasses a wide range of non-consensual sexual behaviors and actions that violate an individual’s bodily autonomy, boundaries, and rights. Some of the most common forms of sexual abuse include:

• Non-consensual sexual contact: Any form of sexual contact or touching without the explicit and voluntary consent of all parties involved is considered sexual abuse. This includes acts such as forced kissing, touching of genitalia or breasts, fondling, groping, or any other unwanted sexual contact.
• Sexual assault: Sexual assault refers to any unwanted sexual activity or penetration without consent. It can involve acts such as rape, attempted rape, oral sex without consent, or any other form of coerced or forced sexual penetration.
• Child sexual abuse: Child sexual abuse involves any sexual activity or exploitation perpetrated against a child. This includes sexual contact, exposure to pornographic material, grooming, online exploitation, or any other form of sexual behavior that is inappropriate for a child’s age and development.
• Sexual harassment: Sexual harassment comprises unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive environment. Reporting workplace harassment is the first step you should take after the abuse.
• Sexual exploitation: Sexual exploitation involves the manipulation, coercion, or abuse of power to exploit someone sexually for personal or financial gain. This can include situations where individuals are forced into prostitution, pornography, or other forms of sexual servitude.

Compensation a Long Island Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Recover After Sexual Abuse

As a survivor of sexual abuse, you can recover financial compensation for the injuries and losses you’ve suffered as a result. Our team of Long Island sexual abuse attorneys can help you recover damages such as:

• Lost income: Compensation for wages or income that you were unable to earn as a result of the sexual abuse and its impact on your ability to work.
• Medical costs: Reimbursement for expenses related to medical examinations, treatments, therapies, and other healthcare services necessitated by sexual abuse.
• Transportation costs for appointments: Compensation for the expenses incurred in traveling to and from medical appointments, therapy sessions, or other necessary appointments related to sexual abuse.
• Pain and suffering: Financial compensation for the physical and emotional distress due to the sexual abuse.
• Medications: Reimbursement for the costs of prescribed medications or other pharmaceutical treatments required as a direct result of the sexual abuse.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for the negative impact the sexual abuse has had on your ability to enjoy life’s activities, interests, and experiences.
• Mental anguish: Financial reparation for the emotional and psychological suffering as a consequence of the sexual abuse.

What Are the Effects of Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse can cause psychological, emotional, and physical effects. Some of the most common effects that our team at Morelli Law Firm can help you recover compensation for include:

Psychological Effects

Sexual abuse can have profound psychological effects, impacting your mental well-being and emotional stability. One common psychological effect is the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You may experience intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, and intense anxiety related to the traumatic event. 

Additionally, survivors often grapple with depression and chronic anxiety, experiencing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and persistent worry. Disordered eating and body image issues can also emerge, as survivors may develop eating disorders or struggle with negative self-perception due to the impact of the abuse on their self-esteem. Substance abuse and self-harm are also potential coping mechanisms people may employ to deal with the overwhelming emotional pain.

Emotional Effects

The emotional and behavioral effects of sexual abuse further highlight the psychological impact on survivors. Survivors often have intense feelings of shame, guilt, and self-blame, wrongly attributing responsibility to themselves for the abuse. 

This can significantly erode your self-esteem, leading to feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness, and a negative self-image. Trust issues are common, as you may find it challenging to form and maintain healthy relationships, fearing betrayal and vulnerability.

You may also develop intense fears or phobias associated with the abuse or similar situations. Emotional instability, including frequent mood swings, emotional outbursts, and difficulty regulating emotions, is another common effect. 

Physical Effects

Sexual abuse can result in various physical effects, both immediate and long-term, impacting your overall well-being. In cases of violent or forceful sexual abuse, you may sustain physical injuries such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones. The trauma inflicted during the abuse can cause immediate pain and physical harm. 

Additionally, sexual abuse involving unprotected sexual contact may lead to the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), further impacting your physical health. You may require medical attention and treatment to address any injuries or health concerns arising from the abuse. If you’ve sustained any physical injuries or mental health issues as a result of the abuse, our team of Long Island sexual abuse lawyers can help you recover compensation.

Contact Our Long Island Sexual Abuse Attorneys Today

Our sexual abuse lawyers in Long Island are ready to take on your case to help you recover compensation for sexual abuse. At Morelli Law Firm, we fight for justice until we get you what you need.

Contact us for a free consultation.