Sexual assault is a despicable crime that can leave victims with lifelong trauma. If you were a victim of assault, even a crime that occurred years ago, our attorneys can help you hold the perpetrator accountable and secure compensation to help you move forward.
Sexual assault lawyers Loren Cochran and Cole Douglas, serving Vancouver, WA, are dedicated to helping victims achieve justice. Book a free and completely confidential consultation to discuss your case.
In the context of sexual contact, “consent” is verbal or physical conduct indicating a party’s agreement to that sexual contact. Consent can be withdrawn at any point during a sexual act. It cannot be given at all in circumstances involving an unwilling participant, a threatened participant, a drugged or incapacitated participant, or an underage participant.
Washington defines sexual contact as any touching of sexual or intimate parts with the intention of sexual gratification of either party.
Sexual assault is a felony criminal offense defined as any sexual act directed at another person without them granting consent or being able to consent. It includes rape and molestation.
The term “sexual abuse” typically describes sex crimes committed against children. Sexual abuse is often ongoing, taking place over a period of months or years. It includes physical acts, such as rape and molestation, as well as non-physical acts, like taking sexually explicit photographs.
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Bringing a criminal case against the person who assaulted you can result in them being held accountable in the form of jail time, fines, and adding their name to Washington’s Sex Offender Registry. Victims of sex crimes can also file concurrent civil lawsuits against perpetrators to secure compensatory damages. This is a beneficial avenue to help victims achieve some form of closure—even if a perpetrator is found not guilty of a misdemeanor or felony offense in a criminal trial, a victim can still be compensated through civil action because the burden of proof is lower.
A statute of limitations defines the maximum amount of time a person has to initiate legal proceedings against another party. They apply to both criminal and civil assault cases.
There is no criminal statute of limitations for sex crimes committed against children in the state of Washington, but there is a 20-year criminal statute of limitations for sexual assault committed against someone aged 16 or older.
On the civil side, there is a three-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for child sexual abuse that occurred before June 6th, 2024. However, Washington recently passed House Bill 1618, which eliminates the statute of limitations for cases of child sexual abuse perpetrated or discovered after that date.
It can be difficult and discouraging to navigate these regulations on your own, especially as a survivor of sexual assault or sexual abuse. Our attorneys are here to clear up any confusion and guide you through this process.
Providing strong representation for victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment is incredibly important to Loren Cochran and Cole Douglas. Our team has seen the effects these crimes can have on victims for a lifetime. We are dedicated to holding perpetrators responsible under the full extent of the law.
If you were the victim of a sex crime in or around Vancouver, WA, know that you have options. Our sexual assault attorneys will help you explore them with patience, empathy, and discretion. Please contact us to request a free review of your case at our law office in Tacoma, your home, or a location of your choosing in Vancouver. We will also be happy to meet with you via Zoom.
Lindsey
Tacoma, WA
2024
Loren, Cole, and their entire office were of such great help during a difficult time in my life. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a personal injury attorney
View on GoogleJulia
Tacoma, WA
2023
I had a fantastic experience working with Cole and his whole team. Competent, compassionate, communicative. They took great care of me and handled my case better than I could have expected. Thank you!
View on GoogleYour story will be heard at Cochran Douglas. A knowledgeable and compassionate sexual assault lawyer will sit down with you to speak privately about the ordeal you have suffered, listening to the ways the trauma has affected your life. You will never be passed to another attorney, as some practices do, and you will have full and direct access to your attorney every step of the way.
You have already done the hard part by reaching out for help from a sexual assault lawyer. Let us handle the rest. Our team based in Tacoma can gather evidence including medical records, security footage, video and/or audio recordings, and witness testimony. We maintain connections with medical and psychological specialists who can prove the extent of the trauma you have suffered.
Even though our attorneys are often able to reach civil settlements favorable to our clients before reaching litigation, we prepare every single case for court. Whether the harm you suffered occurred years ago or weeks ago, we will handle your case with the same intensity. The lawyers at Cochran Douglas are determined to secure maximum compensation on your behalf.
Our track record includes six- and seven-figure victories for clients who are survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment. Our sexual assault lawyers serving Vancouver are not afraid to go up against individual abusers, negligent school systems, the state government, or any other party responsible for or willfully negligent to the abuse you have been subjected to.
"I am so grateful to have had Cole Douglas and Loren Cochran in my corner on more than one occasion. They patiently listened to the sensitive, and often awkward, details of my stories and I always felt heard and never judged. I was new to all of this, and they were always willing to answer any of my questions and they explained the legal process to me in detail and kept me updated throughout the process. I was always treated with respect and kindness. I will always look to them for any future legal advice and I highly recommend them to anyone who needs assistance." Carly
We leave no stone unturned to build the strongest possible cases against parties responsible for sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and other sex crimes. Our goal is to help you find a sense of peace and closure by taking advantage of all available legal avenues.
One of the ways we prioritize our Vancouver clients is by offering our services on a contingency basis. This means that you will not have to pay your attorney a single dollar unless he returns a verdict or settlement in your favor. We also offer completely free consultations, so it will cost you nothing to learn what your legal options are.
If you or a loved one was a victim of sexual violence perpetrated in the Vancouver, WA, area, please contact us today.
truc
Tacoma, WA
2023
I want to say thank you for the good service I was got. They really care, kind and do the best job for my case. They respond and support right away via email, phone all my questions. Finally my case is closed and I’m glad to get the good compensation that my attorney tried to get for me. Thank you so much Tiffany Wilke, Loren Douglas and Dawn Plaster. You all did very great job.
View on GoogleNatalie
Tacoma, WA
2023
If you are looking for attorneys that are sharp, care, and kind you are looking in the right place. Cochran Douglas office really cares about you and your case. They get back to you right away via email, phone call, they are so professional which is something I was looking for. I can so much but I just want to say I highly recommend this attorney office.
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Our personal injury attorneys have collected numerous honors and belong to noted professional organizations, ensuring they stay current with the ever-changing legal landscape. Among our honors and professional affiliations:
Request a free consultation with our practice by contacting us online or by calling (253) 472-7777. We can meet at a location and time convenient for you, including nights and weekends.
