After experiencing sexual assault, survivors must make critical life-altering decisions regarding how best to respond – such as whether to report it and pursue criminal or civil justice against those responsible.
This study, using qualitative dyadic interviews, examines survivors’ interactions with personnel within the legal system – police officers, prosecutors, and legal professionals.
National Sex Offender Registry
Local governments traditionally required individuals convicted of sexual offenses to register with them; their information can then be made public via newspapers, community notifications or the internet. In certain locations, it may even be possible for an offender to petition the court in order to have his name removed from any lists of offenders.
In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court made an historic ruling in Smith v. Doe declaring sex offender registration laws “regulatory,” rather than constitutionally protected. This decision set an alarming precedent and encouraged states to introduce more stringent registration and residency restriction regulations for sexual offenders.
The National Sex Offender Registry is an online portal that unifies public state, territorial and tribal sex offender registries into one search site for parents, employers and other concerned citizens to easily find location details of sex offenders living or attending school nearby – not only in their neighborhood but also nearby communities.
This website provides more than offender information; it also offers prevention and education resources as well as tips on helping children stay safe online – proving invaluable to parents, teachers, and others who work with children.
Sexual Assault Lawyers from Mass Tsang
Have you experienced sexual assault as an adult, child or any stage in between? We can assist. Our team of specialists will fight tirelessly on your behalf to ensure your rights are upheld and you receive maximum compensation available.
Sexual assault is a devastating crime with lasting repercussions, highlighted by recent high-profile incidents including priests, university students and celebrities. According to Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), it is estimated that sexual assault occurs every 73 seconds in the US.
If a sex crime is committed, its offender faces severe criminal penalties such as GPS monitoring and twenty years or more on the Sex Offender Registry. These consequences can have a lasting effect on a person’s livelihood, reputation and family life long after they have been released from incarceration.
Mass Tsang’s sexual crime defense lawyers can help minimise these adverse repercussions by seeking to have charges dropped or reduced whenever possible. They will demand full disclosure of evidence held by the Crown which would otherwise be hard for you to access on your own, as well as working to secure release from custody if required through surety plans.
Court Support
Some cases are resolved without survivors needing to attend court; however, in instances of hearings (like preliminary inquiries) or where someone is facing charges of sexual assault against them, survivors may need to appear and testify at court hearings; when that occurs they will receive a legal document known as a subpoena informing them to come to court and testify.
Survivor advocates will accompany survivors to all hearings, such as arraignments, SAPO hearings and bond hearings as well as further interviews with prosecutors and detectives as well as trial testimony and sentencings. Furthermore, these advocates are available to connect them with resources for counseling or support services.
Victim Impact Statement is a document prepared by survivors to inform judges of all physical, emotional and financial harm caused by crimes that they can present as evidence in court if an accused is found guilty.
An advocate can also explain the role of the Crown and what to expect during court proceedings, in addition to what constitutes a preliminary inquiry. They will address any queries the survivor might have about their case as well as address concerns they have about proceedings or testifying before court.