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A young woman got off of work later than originally planned. Exhausted and a bit stressed, the young lady drives home, anxious to get into her apartment before the sun goes down. She lives in a nice apartment complex but its location isn’t in the best part of town.
As she pulls into the apartment complex, an uneasy feeling sits in her gut. The sun has already gone down and the apartment complex looks darker than usual as there are a few lights out. To make matters worse, the electronic gate is broken, allowing anyone inside.
She tries to shake the feeling as she pulls into the parking lot. Gathering her things, she gets out of the car but can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching her. Before she can get to her door, she gets grabbed. Thankfully, she can get away before the trespasser can hurt her too much, but as she disappears behind the door, she can’t help but think. What if things had gotten worse? What would be the difference between sexual assault and rape?
¿Qué es la violación?
According to the United States Justice Department, rape is defined as the following; forced sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, or oral penetration by a body part or object. In some cases, rape victims may have been forced through threats or physical violence. In 8 out of 10 rape cases across the United States, no weapon was involved, only physical force.
¿Qué es la agresión sexual?
Under the United States Justice Department, the definition of sexual assault is as follows: the unwanted sexual contact that stops short of rape or attempted rape. This includes sexual touching and fondling. (However, it is important to note that some states, such as Texas, use this term interchangeably with rape.
¿Cómo se manejan en Texas los cargos por agresión sexual y violación?
The Texas Penal Code Section 22.011 defines both sexual assault and rape as essentially the same charge. There is no true distinction between the two. An individual will be charged with sexual assault if they intentionally or knowingly did the following:
- Penetrated a victim’s sexual organ or anus by any means without their consent
- Penetrated the victim’s mouth with their sexual organ without the victim’s consent
- The perpetrator forced the sexual organ of the victim to contact or penetrate another individual’s mouth, anus, or sexual organ without the other person’s consent.
Cómo denunciar una agresión sexual y emprender acciones legales en el estado de Texas
Individuals who have been sexually assaulted can report the assault to the police to start a criminal investigation. However, every case of sexual assault is different and the victim needs to know what their rights are. A sexual assault survivor has the right to:
- Decide as to whether they file a police report or report the information to another resource
- Be provided with a written notice of the crime victim’s rights and information and referrals to different programs that can aid them in getting the help they need for recovery.
- Sensitive and skilled treatment in Texas emergency rooms
- Crime victims do not have to take a lie detector test
- Use a pseudonym and have his or her name, address, and phone number kept out of the court files relating to their case
- Reimbursement through the Crime Victrim’s Compensation program for financial losses stemming from the crime. This includes medical expenses, moving costs, and lost wages.
- Have her or is safety considered when bail is set
- Be notified of all illegal proceedings, including parole
- Have a private waiting area, separate from other witnesses, before testifying in court
- Write a victim impact statement and have the statement considered during punishment and parole proceedings
- If they meet eligibility requirements, victims may maintain a confidential address through the Texas Address Confidentiality Program.
Cómo denunciar una violación o una agresión sexual
There are several options that victims have to report sexual assault:
Call 911: If you are in immediate danger after an attack, you will need to call 911. This will ensure that the right help gets to you wherever you are.
Contact the Local Police Department: Calling or walking into the local police department is another option for victims to make a report on the attack. The officers will be able to take down your statement and ensure that you are pointed to the right resources to get the help you need. If you are on a college campus, you can also report the assault to a campus-based law enforcement officer.
Visit a Medical Center: If any of these above options feel intimidating or not right for you and your case, you will still need to visit a medical center. Whether this is your doctor’s office or a hospital, they can ensure that any injuries are addressed and taken care of. Here, they will be able to take your statement for you and report the crime to the police on your behalf. They can also help preserve any evidence of the assault through medical records and a sexual assault kit.
If you are unsure which medical professional in your area will be able to help you, there is a National Sexual Assault Hotline that you can contact to get information about resources in your area. This hotline will also walk you step by step through the process so that you do not have to face it alone. You can contact them by calling this number: (800)656-4673.
Recursos adicionales en Texas para víctimas de agresión sexual:
- 2-1-1 Texas: A service of the Health and Human Services Commission’s Texas Information and Referral Network.
- Department of Family and Protective Services: For instances of child sexual Assault or Sexual abuse from family members.
- Texas Council on Family Violence: Services to aid individuals trying to escape from domestic violence.
- Texas VINE: Updated information on sexual offender custody and court status.
Programa de Indemnización a Víctimas de Delitos de Texas
Individuals who have been the victim of sexual assault in Texas can receive compensation for damages that stemmed from the attack. This includes compensation for the following:
- Salarios perdidos por no poder trabajar
- Gastos médicos
- The replacement of any lost property
- Home health care (if needed)
- Dolor y sufrimiento
For a victim to receive this compensation, they will need a crime victim’s attorney, such as the attorneys at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. to aid in applying to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Depending on the facts of your case, this department may award you full or partial compensation. These costs will be awarded to victims, regardless of whether or not the accused was found guilty. You will want a sexual assault victim’s attorney on your side to ensure that you are receiving the full compensation you deserve and that all paperwork is being filed correctly.
¿Existe la posibilidad de recibir una indemnización por gastos de reubicación tras un caso de agresión sexual?
Yes! In some cases, the crime was so horrific that the victim may feel safer or have a better chance at emotional and physical recovery if they are removed from the area where the attack took place. (Especially if the attack happened at their home or residence. This compensation is typically available for individuals who suffered sexual assault or human trafficking. The costs of this compensation will cover the following expenses:
- Renta para quienes viven en una casa o departamento alquilado
- Costos de transporte
- Gastos de la empresa de mudanzas y de los vehículos
- Utility fees, such as water and electric
- Pet deposits for individuals who already own animals
These costs, unless otherwise specified, will be covered for up to three years while the individual rebuilds his/her life.
Casos de agresión sexual y de seguridad negligente
Sexual Assault is a serious crime that leaves a lasting imprint on the victim. Sexual assault victims face a long uphill battle, as their sense of peace, identity, and security has been completely ripped from them. Individuals who have suffered sexual assault are more likely to suffer from the following:
- Depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Alcohol Abuse
- Drug Abuse
- Contemplation or attempted suicide
When a sexual assault happens on private property, such as an apartment complex or business office, then the individual may also have a negligent security case against the owner. The property manager has to ensure that their property has adequate security to protect the individuals on their property.
Property owners are also legally responsible for knowing what is going on in their community. This allows them to better prepare their residents and property for a potential threat of an attack or crime.
For example, an apartment complex is aware that the area of town has seen an increase in crime over the past couple of years. Because of this, they decided to install security gates at the entrance which only the residents and the staff of the complex have access to. They have also increased the number of lights around their complex to increase visibility around the area and to dissuade trespassers.
¿Qué podría hacer que el propietario de un inmueble sea parcialmente responsable de una agresión sexual ocurrida en su propiedad?
From our example earlier, the young lady knew that the lights around the apartment complex had been out for a while. This is why she was so eager to get home. Another issue lies in the gate that was broken, which allowed the attacker inside.
While the broken gate could have happened that day, the lights had been out for some time. It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure that all damages or malfunctioning security measures are properly fixed to keep up the protection of their residents, employees, or patrons.
There are a few elements of negligent security that can show that a property owner was negligent in their duty. These elements are as follows:
- Foreseeability: A person under ordinary cautiousness could have reasonably foreseen or defended their property and the individuals on it from a foreseeable attack.
- Imminent Harm: The evidence must be able to show that the property owner knew about, or should have known, about a particular crime that was likely to take place. For example, if a business owner gets news of a bomb threat, they must handle the threat as if it were a fact.
- There Have Been Prior Incidents: If an area has a high incidence of crime, such as gang activity or rising cases of violent crimes, then it may be reasonable to assume that the incident will happen on the property owner’s premises as well.
- Reasonable Security Measures Were Not In Place: Commercial and rental property owners are required by law to keep their patrons safe from criminal attacks by ensuring that there are sufficient security measures in place to reduce the likelihood of an attack. This can include ensuring that the following things are in place:
- A qualified security service is hired
- Security cameras are installed on the property
- Some individuals who are actively monitoring the security cameras
- All patrons have been given a security plan
- There are working locks on all doors, windows, and gates
- There is an intercom system or email/text system in place to alert individuals of potential dangers
- There are access control measures such as door codes or gate codes
- Hotels have one-use hotel room key cards
- ATMs have a panic button
- There are emergency buttons or centers in parking lots
¿Qué tipo de indemnización puedo recibir en un caso de negligencia en la seguridad?
Compensation for negligent security will be based on several different factors. The court will look at the damages caused by the crime, any medical records that came from any injuries from the crime, and the police report. Once all of this has been taken into account, the damages that the court awards may be as follows:
- Gastos médicos
- Salarios perdidos
- Loss of Future Wages
- Dolor y sufrimiento
- Angustia emocional
- Gastos funerarios
Abogado especializado en casos de seguridad negligente y de víctimas de agresión sexual
Sexual Assault is a horrific crime that has life-altering effects on the victim. A lost sense of security, and peace, the emotional and physical trauma they go through, and the long road of recovery is extremely hard. However, there is hope. While compensation will not make the emotional damage go away, it can aid in providing financial relief for the victim and their families. The road to recovery is hard but you are never alone.
Contact the caring crime victim’s attorney y negligent security attorneys at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. for more information on our services. Our caring team will walk you through the entire compensation process, and ensure that you are getting the help you need. We will not judge your situation or even pretend that the compensation you receive makes any of it better. We understand the battle that you face and we want nothing more than to come beside you to help you walk through it.
Reach out to us for a free no-obligation consultation to go over the facts of your case. We will do everything in our power to help you claim back control of your life.
Preguntas frecuentes sobre abogados especializados en casos de víctimas de agresión sexual
¿Es el consentimiento el factor clave para determinar si hubo agresión sexual en Texas?
Sí y no. Cuando dos personas deciden mantener relaciones sexuales entre sí, el consentimiento es un factor clave para determinar si esa actividad es legal o constituye un delito. Aunque las relaciones puedan haber comenzado de manera consensuada, si en algún momento una de las personas decide que no quiere realizar una acción en particular o continuar, entonces el consentimiento puede revocarse. Depende de la otra persona respetar los deseos de su pareja y detenerse.
Desde el punto de vista legal, no existe una definición establecida de consentimiento. Sin embargo, el estado de Texas analiza el consentimiento en relación con los actos sexuales teniendo en cuenta lo siguiente:
1. ¿Fue consentimiento afirmativo? ¿La víctima expresó, mediante acciones o palabras, que estaba de acuerdo con todos los actos sexuales que tuvieron lugar?
2. ¿Se dio el consentimiento de manera libre? Si el consentimiento fue otorgado por la propia voluntad libre de la persona, entonces el acto fue legal. Sin embargo, si hubo algún tipo de coacción, ya sea violencia, manipulación, fraude o amenaza de violencia, entonces el consentimiento no se otorgó libremente y, por lo tanto, se considera agresión sexual.
3. ¿Tenía la persona la capacidad para dar su consentimiento? Tener la capacidad de dar su consentimiento significa que la persona era mayor de edad, era consciente de sus acciones, no padecía ninguna forma de incapacidad y podía decir «sí» o «no» en cualquier momento durante la interacción.
¿Existe un plazo de prescripción para los delitos de agresión sexual?
Este tema es un poco complicado, ya que no existe un plazo legal que limite cuándo una víctima puede denunciar un delito ante la policía para que se presenten cargos penales. Sin embargo, sí existen plazos de prescripción para las indemnizaciones derivadas de demandas civiles presentadas por víctimas de delitos y por negligencia en la seguridad. El plazo de prescripción para la indemnización es de tres años a partir de la fecha del delito. No obstante, esto puede estar sujeto a cambios dependiendo de si la víctima tenía una discapacidad mental o física que le impidiera presentar la denuncia.
Siempre consulta con una víctima de un delito o con un abogado especializado en casos de seguridad negligente para obtener más información sobre si tu caso reúne los requisitos para recibir una indemnización mediante una demanda civil.
¿Cuáles son algunas de las preocupaciones más comunes a la hora de denunciar una agresión sexual?
1. The perpetrator stopped because they got scared or they never ‘finished.’
2. La víctima conoce a la persona que la atacó.
3. La víctima tuvo una relación íntima con el agresor en el pasado o mantiene actualmente una relación con él.
4. La víctima no presentaba lesiones físicas y le preocupa que no haya pruebas suficientes.
5. A la víctima le preocupa que nadie le crea.
6. La víctima no quiere meterse en problemas.
Si sientes miedo de denunciar la agresión que sufriste por las razones mencionadas anteriormente, ten por seguro que no estás solo. Es importante recordar que:
1. La tentativa de violación es tan grave como la violación misma y se tomará muy en serio.
2. Aproximadamente dos tercios de las víctimas de agresión sexual conocen al agresor. Puede ser inquietante y aterrador sufrir una agresión por parte de alguien que conoces, pero eso no significa que esté bien que el agresor se salga con la suya. La agresión sexual es un delito, sin importar quién sea el agresor.
3. La agresión sexual puede ocurrir en cualquier tipo de relación. Ya sea con un amigo, un familiar, una pareja sentimental, un conocido, un compañero de trabajo, etc. No por eso está bien, sin importar de quién se trate.
4. Un examen forense por agresión sexual permite obtener pruebas, como ADN del agresor. No es necesario que tengas heridas visibles para recibir este tipo de ayuda o para presentar tu caso ante la policía.
5. La policía ha recibido capacitación especial sobre este tema. Es importante recordar que la policía está de tu lado y hará lo mejor para ti. Pueden indicarte a qué recursos puedes acudir. Sin embargo, si te da miedo presentar la denuncia por tu cuenta, un centro local de atención a víctimas de agresión sexual puede ayudarte a presentar una denuncia oficial sobre tu agresión.
6. Es posible que los menores tengan miedo de ser sancionados si denuncian la agresión. Sin embargo, los padres deben hacerles saber a sus hijos que ellos no son responsables del abuso. No hicieron nada malo, incluso si las acciones previas —como beber alcohol o estar bajo los efectos de drogas— fueron un factor. La agresión sexual sigue siendo un delito y ellos no hicieron nada para que esto sucediera.
¿Tengo que presentar una denuncia ante la policía para obtener un kit de evidencia de violación?
No. By law, a sexual assault forensic exam, also known as a rape kit, is available to all individuals who ask for one without question. This is to ensure that they get the medical attention they need for any injuries or diseases that may have been received from the assault. If they choose to identify themselves later and report the crime, then this kit can be used as evidence of the attack. Always talk with a trusted healthcare advisor for more information on how you can get help after an assault.
Recursos adicionales:
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