If you or a loved one has suffered from sexual abuse while in a detention center in McClean County, Illinois, it is crucial to seek help from an experienced McClean County Detention sex abuse lawyer.
Sex abuse in correctional facilities is a serious problem that can have devastating and long-lasting impacts on victims. An attorney can help you hold the perpetrators accountable for their heinous actions, as well as the McClean County detention center that allowed the abuse to occur.
At Dolman Law Group, our compassionate and dedicated Illinois sexual abuse lawyers are here to stand up for your rights, help you navigate the legal process, and fight tirelessly to obtain the compensation you need to move forward.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation about your McClean County detention sex abuse case.
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Table of Contents
- Understanding McClean County Detention Center Sex Abuse
- What Legal Options Are Available for Survivors of McClean County Detention Sex Abuse?
- Obtaining Compensation and Justice with the Help of an Attorney
- Choosing the Right McClean County Detention Sex Abuse Attorney for Your Case
- Contact an Experienced McClean County Detention Sexual Abuse Lawyer Immediately
Understanding McClean County Detention Center Sex Abuse
Sex abuse in detention centers refers to any non-consensual sexual act or contact between an inmate and a correctional staff member, or between inmates where staff members allow the abuse to occur.
Common forms of sexual abuse in detention facilities include:
- Rape and sexual assault
- Groping and unwanted touching
- Voyeurism and invasion of privacy
- Sexual harassment and degrading comments
- Coerced nudity and strip searches
Certain factors can increase an inmate’s risk of being sexually abused in detention, such as:
- Being young, disabled, LGBTQ+, or a minority
- Having a history of prior sexual victimization
- Suffering from mental illness or intellectual disabilities
- Being held in isolation or segregated housing
- Lacking family support or financial resources
The impacts of detention center sex abuse can be severe and far-reaching. Victims often experience physical injuries, PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse issues, difficulty with relationships and intimacy, and suicidal thoughts. The trauma and violation of trust can make it very difficult for survivors to report the abuse and get the help they need.
What Legal Options Are Available for Survivors of McClean County Detention Sex Abuse?
Fortunately, there are laws at both the federal and state level that protect inmates from sexual abuse and provide avenues for seeking justice:
- The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is a federal law that requires detention facilities to have zero-tolerance policies for sexual abuse, provide safe reporting methods, and ensure prompt and thorough investigations.
- The Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act allows the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and address patterns of abuse in state and local facilities.
Under Illinois law, correctional staff who engage in sexual conduct with inmates can face felony charges. Facilities must provide multiple ways for inmates to report abuse.
If you have been sexually abused while in a McClean County detention center, it’s important to report the abuse as soon as safely possible, even if it happened in the past. You can report to the facility administration, a trusted staff member, local law enforcement, a rape crisis center, or an attorney.
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse typically have 20 years from the date of their 18th birthday or 20 years after they discovered the abuse to file a sex abuse lawsuit against the perpetrators.
Some exceptions may extend or shorten this time limit, so you need to contact an experienced McClean County detention sexual abuse lawyer soon who can advise you on your options and help you take action.
Obtaining Compensation and Justice with the Help of an Attorney
When you reach out to the Illinois juvenile detention center sexual abuse attorneys at Dolman Law Group, we will begin by conducting a thorough investigation into your claim.
This may involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing records and surveillance footage, and consulting with expert witnesses such as medical professionals and former corrections officials. Our goal is to gather all available evidence to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
We will then represent you in negotiations with the detention facility, government entities, and insurance companies to demand full and fair compensation for the harm you have suffered. If the other party refuses to negotiate a fair settlement, we can take your case to court and fight for you at trial.
Compensation in a detention sex abuse case may include:
- Payment for medical bills related to physical injuries and psychological counseling
- Reimbursement for therapy and mental health treatment costs
- Pain and suffering damages for the emotional anguish and trauma endured
- Punitive damages to punish particularly egregious or systemic misconduct and send a message that abuse will not be tolerated
No amount of money can undo the horrific ordeal you have been through. However, obtaining a financial recovery and holding the at-fault parties accountable can be an important step in the healing process and in rebuilding your life.
Choosing the Right McClean County Detention Sex Abuse Attorney for Your Case
When you are dealing with the devastation of detention center sexual abuse, you need the right legal advocate in your corner. Look for a lawyer who has specific experience handling cases involving correctional facility sex abuse and misconduct.
Other key qualities to seek in a lawyer include:
- Compassion, sensitivity, and dedication to supporting abuse survivors
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Extensive trial experience and willingness to fight aggressively in court if needed
- Offering contingency fee representation, where you only pay if they win money for you
Ask potential lawyers questions such as:
- How many detention abuse cases have you handled? What were the outcomes?
- Who will be working on my case and how will we communicate about its progress?
- What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
- How long do you expect my case may take to resolve?
Choosing the right attorney to handle your McClean County detention sex abuse case is a very personal decision. Select someone you feel comfortable with and trust to champion your cause.
Contact an Experienced McClean County Detention Sexual Abuse Lawyer Immediately
If you or someone you love has experienced the trauma of sexual abuse in a McClean County detention center, you deserve to have a dedicated legal advocate to guide and support you throughout the process.
Contact a McClean County detention sex abuse attorney at Dolman Law Group today at (312) 500-2901 for your free and confidential consultation. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.