Phoenix Arizona Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Sara J Powell

Sexual assault and abuse are emotionally and physically painful. It is important to obtain the best information, research and legal representation, if you or someone you care about has been sexually assaulted or abused. In addition to local and national resources, the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you protect your rights and reclaim your life.

What is Sexual Assault?

Every state has its own definitions of rape and sexual assault, so the precise definition depends on where you live. That said, here's a general definition of the terms:

Rape is forced sexual intercourse, including both psychological coercion and physical force. Forced sexual intercourse means vaginal, anal or oral penetration by the offender(s). This category includes incidents where the penetration is from a foreign object such as a bottle. This definition includes attempted rapes, male and female victims, and heterosexual and homosexual rape.

Sexual Assault includes a wide range of victimizations, distinct from rape or attempted rape. These crimes include completed or attempted attacks generally involving unwanted sexual contact between the victim and offender. Sexual assaults may or may not involve force and include such things as grabbing or fondling. Sexual assault also includes verbal threats.

These definitions are the same ones used by the US Department of Justice's annual National Crime Victimization Survey, the most comprehensive study of the incidence of rape.

-- The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)

How Prevalent is Sexual Assault?

The National Picture

One out of every six American women have been the victims of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime (14.8% completed rape;2.8% attempted rape). A total of 17.7 million women have been victims of these crimes. (Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey, National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1998.)

In 2002, seven out of every eight rape victims were female. (NCVS 2002)
While about 80% of all victims are white, minorities are somewhat more likely to be attacked.

About three percent of American men —- a total of 2.78 million men—have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. (Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women 1998.) In 2002, one in every eight rape victims were male. (NCVS 2002)

-- The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)

The Arizona Picture

Incidents of rape and attempted rape in Arizona fell from 1355 to 1192, or 14.1%, from 1999 to 2000, the latest data on file. This was a smaller decrease than the prior year. Keep in mind that these data tend to show much lower than actual occurrences because of the reluctance of victims to report.

Sexual assault and rape affect hundreds of people annually in Arizona. . With more than 25 years experience as a personal injury lawyer, Sara Powell’s knowledge and track record can help you reclaim your life or the life of someone you love. If you are seeking an experienced lawyer who understands every client's case is unique and who will work hard to resolve your case, please contact the office of Sara Powell today for a free initial consultation. If you prefer, contact us by phone at 602-966-4447.