An act of sexual violence can devastate and even derail an individual’s life. The impact is long-lasting — months, years, even a lifetime.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of John B. Richards provide civil representation for survivors of sexual violence and sexual assault. We are passionate about survivors’ rights. Our office wants to help you reclaim your story and become the hero of it once again. We understand that survivors of trauma and assault are more than just what happened to them. We will fight for your justice.
It is important for a survivor to know their rights and know who to contact if they have been sexually assaulted. NSVRC has provided a resource page to provide survivors and their loved ones resources on reporting sexual assault.
We understand that survivors of sexual assault go through an exhausting process, from reporting the sexual assault to going to trial. The legal system, unfortunately, obligates survivors to relive their trauma throughout the process. The Santa Barbara survivors’ rights attorneys at the Law Offices of John B. Richards will take your story seriously. We are here to provide a safe and secure atmosphere where you feel comfortable discussing your assault so that we can obtain proper justice for you.
Coming forward about a sexual assault can be a very difficult process. Sexual assault laws in California prevent people from being touched intimately in unwanted ways. The term sexual assault covers a wide range of criminal acts. The California Penal Code defines sexual assault as the touching of another person’s intimate parts against that person’s will and for the specific purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse. The most important thing you should know is that it is never the victim’s fault that they were sexually assaulted or raped.
Rape is defined as an act of sexual intercourse – with a spouse, intimate partner, acquaintance, or stranger – without consent:
Sex crimes are punishable under both state and federal law. In California, there is no longer a statute of limitation in criminal cases for sexual assault crimes. There is a statute of limitation on civil cases for sexual assault crimes, which typically two years but can be extended by a variety of factors. Please call to obtain a better understanding.
Survivors can pursue additional justice through a civil claim to obtain compensation for:
If you or someone you love has experienced sexual assault, sexual violence, or sexual misconduct, the Law Offices of John B. Richards is here to help you feel confident, safe, and secure that you are working with experienced survivors’ rights attorneys who are extremely sensitive to your right to privacy and are ready to support you.
We pledge to use our resources to investigate every aspect of your claim to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to. When you need a Santa Barbara sexual assault attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 805-683-2736.