Support in the Legal Process Following Sexual Assault

If you are a survivor of sexual violence, you can choose o pursue a number of different legal actions including:

• A criminal process, by filing a police complaint.
• A civil lawsuit to seek financial compensation.
• In instances of workplace sexual harassment, disciplinary action or filing a lawsuit in labor court may be an option.

While legal proceedings can provide recognition, accountability, and justice, they also involve many challenges. The process can be lengthy, emotionally draining, and the final outcome may not always reflect the severity of the harm caused.

This is why Sexual Assault Crisis Centers provide legal process support, offering assistance at every stage — before and throughout the process. Support can include:

• Providing legal information and emotional support so survivors fully understand their options and rights 
• Accompaniment to the police station, prosecution, or court room
• Assistance in communicating with law enforcement, prosecution, and judicial authorities.
• Ensuring your rights are upheld.

Why Is Support throughout the Legal Process Important?

Although legal action can provide recognition and justice, it can also be extremely challenging. Survivors must navigate interactions with police, prosecutors, and courts in the criminal process, or with attorneys and judges in civil and labor court cases. The process requires emotional resilience and the ability to deal with the accompanying  pressure.

Unfortunately, the legal system does not always handle sexual violence cases sensitively or effectively. Survivors may face dismissal of their case, reduced charges, acquittals, or inadequate sentencing, which can be demoralizing and deeply painful.

Support from Sexual Assault Crisis Centers helps ease the process for survivors. Having legal support present has proven to contribute  to fair and professional treatment from legal authorities. Support throughout the process also helps in addressing any potential procedural violations or inappropriate conduct by any of the Law enforcement agencies

 

Who Can Receive Legal Process Support?

• The support is free of charge.
• Support is entirely on your terms – you can choose to start or stop at any stage of the process – during the complaint filing, prosecution, trial, after a case is closed (for the purpose of appeal), or at any stage of a civil legal proceeding.

What Does Legal Process Support Include?

Before the Legal Process

• Assistance in deciding whether to pursue legal action.
• Explanation of different legal options.
• Individual support or guidance with family, friends, educators, or welfare professionals.
• If a decision is made to proceed, the crisis center can help coordinate filing a complaint with the police or refer you to experienced attorneys specializing in sexual offenses.

During the Criminal Process

• Coordination of the police complaint process.
• Physical accompaniment to file a complaint, participate in investigations, and confront the perpetrator.
• Assistance in tracking case progress with the police.
• Help in appealing case dismissals.
• Support during prosecution meetings and throughout trial proceedings, including in-person accompaniment to court hearings.
• Guidance on handling media involvement in high-profile cases.
• Emotional support throughout the process, based on your needs.

During the Civil Process

• Referrals to professionals for expert opinions.
• Emotional support throughout the process, based on your needs.

How to Receive Legal Process Support?

Support is available through your nearest Sexual Assault Crisis Center.

You can contact the hotline, and a legal process support coordinator will follow up with you.