LAA Episode 4: Legal Remedies for Assault

Life After Abuse Pod

The road to bringing perpetrators to justice can go through the criminal and/or civil justice system(s). Considering the relatively small percentage of assault cases that are brought forward by district attorneys, especially in the case of intimate partner abuse, the civil legal system is an avenue to punish perpetrators.

The impact on the victim of assault and abuse are high. There is a substantial physical, emotional and economic cost to untreated trauma. The victim may not have resources to ensure that she can get the services that have the potential to get her well and functioning. A civil remedy may be the best way to ensure that the victim gets financial support for her recovery AND generate acknowledgement that she was harmed. This may be especially important for intimate partner violence where children are involved and monetary resources are used a weapon to keep the victim silent.

After my daughter was assaulted, we sought out legal counsel at the encouragement of people who had witnessed or been through sexual assault. Without this knowledge, I’m not sure that I would have reached out to an attorney. For us it was a way to seek a remedy to the crime that had occurred. It also gave some power and voice back to my daughter. That’s why I’ve reached out to renowned attorney Eric MacLeish to speak to the audience on Life After Abuse Pod.

Mr. MacLeish was instrumental in getting a remedy for many victims in the Boston Archdiocese Priest abuse scandal and has continued to advocate for victims of sexual assault.