Assault Victims Rights

Victims of sexual assault are entitled to the same rights as those afforded to victims of crime in general, and these are laid out in each state's law in a document known as the "Victims' Bill of Rights". These general crime victim rights include the right to file a report of the crime; a right to be notified of proceedings; a right to be present at those proceedings; a right to make a statement at sentencing; and a right to restitution from a convicted offender. Victims of sexual assault also have some additional rights. Sexual assault victims are protected by a rape shield law, which prevents their private and irrelevant sexual history from forming part of the evidence in any criminal case. Some states also protect the assault victim with a privilege law, which allows communications between a sexual assault counselor, advocate or victim-survivor to remain confidential. This does not apply in all states, and the level of protection offers varies by state, with some states including only minors under their privilege law.

Fast Facts

  • It is estimated that up to 72% of sexual assault cases are never reported to the police
  • 1 in every 6 American women will become a victim of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime
  • There is only a 50.8% chance an arrest will be made in any reported case of sexual assault

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Articles

Results 1-5 of 91 for "assault victims rights"

  • Assault Victims Rights in a Civil Case

    In a criminal assault and battery case, assault victims rights include the ability to recover compensation for...
    • Site: personalinjurylawyer.com
    • 2 of 2 user(s) found this useful
  • Assault Victim Help for Injuries: Civil Lawsuit

    A victim of assault has two distinct types of potential remedies in order to recover for the costs of his or h...
    • Site: personalinjurylawyer.com
    • 8 of 10 user(s) found this useful
  • Domestic Violence Injury Help

    Victims of domestic violence may suffer significant injuries at the hands of their abusers, not all of which a...
    • Site: personalinjurylawyer.com
  • Assault Injury Damages: Spouses or Boyfriend/Girlfriend

    Assault injuries between spouses, or a boyfriend and girlfriend, may be classified as domestic violence for cr...
    • Site: personalinjurylawyer.com
    • 6 of 6 user(s) found this useful
  • Assault Charges and Personal Injury Claims

    If someone assaults you, then assault charges may be brought against them by the prosecutor of the state in wh...
    • Site: personalinjurylawyer.com
    • 3 of 3 user(s) found this useful

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