Charlotte Sexual Assault Attorneys

Fiercely fighting for the rights of sexual assault victims in Charlotte and across North Carolina

When you have been a victim of sexual assault, your life changes in ways you never expected or wanted, and you become increasingly aware that there’s not much that you can do except ride the roller coaster of emotions and feelings. Your friends and family may have no idea what happened or how to help you because you weren’t sure how to explain that you were attacked.

The good news is that you don’t have to hide the traumatic experience any longer. The compassionate Charlotte personal injury lawyers at Warren & Kallianos, PLLC understand that you have been through a traumatic experience, and that you can’t have closure until you have the opportunity to make your attacker accountable for their crime against you.

You deserve to pursue every avenue available to seek justice. While the criminal courts have the ability to punish your attacker through incarceration, our highly skilled attorneys will fight by filing a civil suit to punish them financially for your ordeal.

Coming forward can help erase the stigma of sexual assault

When most people think of sexual assault, they think of women and girls as the victims. However, according to experts, young women aren’t the only victims and men aren’t the only perpetrators in today’s world. Every day 1,183 Americans are sexually assaulted. Victims of sexual assault can be any gender, any age, and any sexual orientation. The same can be said for those who commit sexual assault.

Victims of sexual assault often suffer the stigma of being partly to blame for what happened to them; being viewed as having to have done something to cause mixed signals resulting in the attack, or being viewed as having a certain reputation. There are many reasons people choose to discount a victim’s sexual assault rather than seeing what it truly is – an illegal act that can cause severe long-term trauma. Additionally, the definition of sexual assault under North Carolina law doesn’t always translate to simply using physical force. Assailants also use tactics such as asserting pressure, manipulating, or aggressively coercing a victim.

By reporting your sexual assault and shining a light on the person who attacked you, you not only may prevent your aggressor from hurting others in the future, but you may make it easier to break the stigma and prompt more victims to come forward.

Additionally, you may file a civil personal injury action against your assaulter – whether their criminal trial results in a guilty verdict or not. The legal team at Warren & Kallianos, PLLC will be with you every step of the way.

Help your loved one faster by knowing the signs of assault

Recognizing the signs of a sexual assault can help your loved one when they may not be able to help themselves. The sooner you are able to report a sexual assault to the authorities, the sooner we can begin investigating your case and gathering valuable evidence. Be alert for signs such as:

• Depression, guilt, anger, and anxiety
• Displaying aggression
• Abusing substances
• Taking risks and break rules
• Problems sleeping or eating
• Withdrawing from romantic relationships, friendships, or family
• Sexual problems

If you or your loved one was sexually assaulted, our dedicated lawyers can work with you to put together a case and ensure your rights and safety are protected.

Resources in Charlotte for help after a sexual assault

One of the most difficult parts of being sexually assaulted after coming to terms with the fact that it happened, is telling someone and reaching out to get help for yourself. You may feel embarrassed or afraid to seek help. Knowing where to look for helpful resources and assistance can be overwhelming.

If you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted, here are some local services that can provide you with important assistance:

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Sexual Assault Unit
• Novant Health Sexual Assault Services
• North Carolina Rape Crisis Centers (by county)
• UNC Charlotte Center for Wellness Promotion

Your support system in a time of crisis is paramount, and the attorneys at Warren & Kallianos, PLLC will be a strong link in that chain that can help you move forward to seek the justice that every victim deserves.

What’s the statute of limitations for making sexual assault claims?

North Carolina limits the amount of time that a victim has to file legal action against their attacker. This time limit, called a statute of limitations, gives you three years from the date of the attack to file a civil lawsuit for sexual assault. Should you fail to file your case by the deadline, you lose all rights to pursue legal action. Many victims believe that a criminal conviction is required in order to file a civil lawsuit against their attacker, but you have the right to pursue a civil claim regardless of any criminal disposition.

How the SAFE Child Act (SB 199) affects survivors of childhood sex abuse

The SAFE Child Act made three important changes to North Carolina’s existing laws:

1. It gives victims of childhood sexual abuse until the age of 28 to file a civil claim;
2. It increased the amount of time law enforcement has to pursue criminal charges; and
3. It allows abuse cases which had been time-barred to move forward by opening a revival window for claims.

But these are not the only changes the new law makes. Where revocation of consent and sex with a person incapacitated due to drugs or alcohol previously precluded victims from pursuing a case of sexual assault, they now can turn to the legal system to punish their attackers.

Where revocation of consent and sex with a person incapacitated due to drugs or alcohol previously precluded victims from pursuing a case of sexual assault, they now can turn to the legal system to punish their attackers.

As a victim, you may be entitled to an award of damages against your assailant for the mental and physical harm that they caused. You could be entitled to an award of compensation for:

• Economic damages: You may be awarded current and future medical expenses, and current and future lost wages.
• Non-economic damages: You could receive payment for pain and suffering, or punitive damages intended to punish the defendant for his or her egregious behavior

Learn More

• Charlotte Injury Lawyer Representing Victims of Sex Abuse by Religious Figures

Talk with our compassionate Charlotte sexual assault attorneys today

Sexual assault is a heinous and violent crime and perpetrators must deal with the consequences of their actions. You have legal options, and the injury attorneys at Warren & Kallianos, PLLC want you to understand that you are not alone and we’re here to listen when you’re ready. We will aggressively fight to help you receive the compensation that you need to get your life back. Speak with one of our experienced sexual assault attorneys today by calling 704-377-7777, or reach out to us through our contact form to schedule a free consultation.