Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse in Youngstown

In recent years, lawsuits involving allegations of sexual abuse have garnered significant national attention. This increased scrutiny has resulted in the criminal prosecution of clergy members, Boy Scout leaders, and numerous other high-profile individuals who were accused and subsequently convicted of sexual abuse.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of this serious crime, Youngstown Criminal Law Group is here to offer support and legal guidance. Our dedicated legal team in Mahoning County will listen to your story with compassion and work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the justice you rightfully deserve.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault encompasses incidents involving attempted rape, rape, and the unwanted touching of another person’s body parts—whether over or under clothing—without that person’s consent. While the specific legal definition of sexual assault may differ slightly from state to state, the core concept in Ohio remains consistent: it constitutes a sexual encounter where one party has not consented, has been coerced, is incapacitated, or is underage.

Navigating the aftermath of such an event is incredibly difficult, which is why consulting a Youngstown criminal lawyer can be an essential step in protecting your rights. Most states recognize that consent can be withdrawn at any point during the act. It is also important to note that since 1993, all fifty U.S. states, including the District of Columbia, acknowledge marital rape as sexual assault and a punishable crime.

Forcible Rape

Forcible rape is defined as using physical means or force to compel someone to perform a sexual act without their consent. The statistics regarding rape in the USA are shocking and highlight the prevalence of this violence:

• Nearly 20% of women report having been raped at some point during their lifetime.
• Approximately 2% of victims of forcible rape are men.
• In 80% of cases involving women, the rape occurs around the age of 25.
• While college campuses are often cited as locations where rape occurs, only about 20% of crimes there are actually reported.
• 30% of male victims experienced rape during their childhood.
• According to FBI statistics, one forcible rape occurs every six minutes in the USA, yet only 25% of rapists are ever prosecuted.

Youngstown Criminal Law Group handles a wide variety of legal matters. While our group is often sought out as a Youngstown DUI attorney, we possess the dedicated resources and sensitivity required to handle serious felony cases involving violence. In the majority of instances, forcible rape is committed by someone known to the victim, such as a dating partner, intimate partner, former lover, acquaintance, spouse, or relative.

Child Sexual Abuse

While all sexual abuse is a heinous crime, child sexual assault presents a unique and devastating dynamic. Our team has handled hundreds of cases involving brutality against children. Child sexual abuse occurs when an adult or adolescent pressures, forces, or manipulates a child into submitting to sexual gratification. As an experienced Youngstown criminal lawyer, we have seen this abuse manifest in numerous forms, including:

• Coercing or creating psychological pressure on a child to participate in a sexual act.
• Forcible rape.
• Exposing genitals or sexual organs to a child or forcing them to watch pornography.
• The creation of child pornography.
• Groping or fondling, either over or under clothes.

In most of these tragic cases, the accused is a relative, a parent, or someone in a position of trust. Consequently, the impact on the child can be devastating. Victims often struggle with lifelong trauma, depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Sadly, religious or social organizations are not immune. Often, priests, camp counselors, or Boy Scout leaders are the oppressors. Our group has represented more than 525 men who were abused as Boy Scouts.

Whether you require a Youngstown DUI attorney for traffic defense or a compassionate advocate for abuse litigation, Youngstown Criminal Law Group is ready to assist call us today at (330) 992-3036. If you or your loved ones have been subjected to such a disturbing ordeal and are finally ready to speak out and seek justice, come to us. We are here to help you find a path forward.