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Civil Remedies
Civil remedies can be pursued along with criminal charges, or instead of criminal charges. The fact that the abuse was reported to police, and that a criminal charge has been laid, may make it easier to proceed with a civil suit (even if the offender is found not guilty). Civil remedies are monetary compensation for what has happened - the victim (or their guardian) sues for specific and/or general damages.
There is a different standard for determining liability in civil cases. The standard in these cases is based on 'a balance of probabilities' (whether it is more likely that the abuse took place than not).
Civil suits require you to retain your own lawyer. The process for doing this will vary with each individual lawyer, however, there are some lawyers in the city that will take these cases and do not require payment until damages are awarded or a settlement is reached. Their fee will be a percentage of what the victim receives. For referrals of lawyers recommended by the Sexual Assault Centre please call our crisis line at 423-4121 anytime.
