Breaking the Cycle: Civil Recovery for Victims of Sexual Violence in Virginia (Audio Only)

Victims of sexual violence most often have limited resources to assist them in recovery. Even though some limited help might come from victim recovery funds, restitution paid by the assailant or community resources, typically they are not nearly enough to compensate the victim. Consequently, it is very important for attorneys to seek to identify any other possible recovery that might be had through a civil tort action.

Using Virginia law as a base, Colleen M. Quinn will outline the components of a tort action as well as sources of collection and various theories of liability especially against third parties who might be culpable. And, in instances where tort relief might be available, she also will focus on the importance of coordination with any pending criminal proceedings, preventing the depletion of assets and understanding the emotional underpinnings - including protecting the victim from being “re-victimized.”

Learning Objectives: 

1. Recognize the three components of a tort action: Liability, damages and collection
2. Identify and seek out sources of collection and third party recovery
3. Using Virginia law as a base, recognize the available causes of action
4. Learn why coordination on any pending criminal case can be critical to the civil case
5. Understand the emotional underpinnings of representing victims of sexual assault and unique issues in representation including protecting the client from being further victimized
6. Understand how to recognize and, in some cases, stop or slow down the depletion of assets by the assailant
7. Recognize how marital civil assault cases can intersect with family dissolution or divorce matters