Colorado Sexual Abuse & Assault Laws
Colorado takes sexual assault, sexual assault on a child, statutory rape, and unlawful sexual contact very seriously. While these crimes vary from one another, the question of consent is at the center of every one of them. If a person did not consent to the sexual act or contact, then the person carrying out that nonconsensual act or contact is considered guilty of a sex crime.
Several examples of sexual abuse and assault include:
- Unwanted sexual contact, such as fondling, kissing, etc.
- Forced masturbation or oral copulation
- Sexual contact/acts achieved through violence, the threat of violence, or coercion
- Forced penetration using a body part or foreign object
- Sexual contact/acts with a person who cannot consent to or appraise the act
It is important to note that per law, persons under the age of consent or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs cannot consent to any sexual contact or act.
Seeking Justice After Abuse or Assault
Survivors have three legal options available to them: a criminal lawsuit, a civil lawsuit, or both.
A criminal lawsuit is achieved through filing a report with your local police department or district attorney. These authorities will be the ones to prosecute your abuser in criminal court. You will have the option to share your story by testifying in court, but this tends to be the extent of the survivor’s involvement in a criminal case. The point of a criminal case is for the state to hold abusers accountable in the interest of public safety; thus, a criminal case will end in either the abuser being convicted or acquitted.
A civil lawsuit offers you the opportunity to pursue your full and fair compensation for the losses, or damages, you suffered as a result of the abuse/assault. That said, you will need to be more involved in the civil case than you would in the criminal case, as you will either need to represent yourself in court or hire a sexual assault lawyer to advocate for you. If you win your civil case, you could recover monies for medical expenses, therapy bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, or any other damages you have incurred from the traumatic experience you went through.
Start the Healing Process with a Colorado Trial Lawyer
Taking the first step toward justice may seem intimidating or frighteningly impossible, but you do not have to go at it alone. At The Zalkin Law Firm, our notable work in holding abusers accountable has resulted in a track record of success and national acclaim. We will stand by your side at every step of the way because we genuinely care about you and your well-being. Put our years of experience on your side of the court.
Call (800) 477-2989 to speak with a Colorado sexual abuse and assault attorney in a free consultation. Everything discussed in your consultation will be held strictly confidential, and there is zero obligation to move forward with our firm.