Rape can be physically and emotionally devastating – particularly when the rape may have been prevented by a supervised living facility.  At the completion of their prison sentence, sex offenders are released back into the community.  Some sex offenders live in supervised facilities that provide ongoing support, legal help, and life skills education for residents.   However, if the supervised facilities do not have the appropriate level of supervision, residents may have the freedom to commit future rapes.

The responsibility of a supervised living facility is described by its mission, contract with residents, and common sense.  Some supervised living facilities are more restrictive than others.  However, all supervised living facilities should exercise some degree of supervision over residents. Otherwise, they are just independent living centers.  For example, if a supervised living facility allows residents to freely integrate in the community, they should make sure that the residents return to the facility or are otherwise accounted for each day.  If a resident is not properly accounted for, the facility has a responsibility to file a missing person’s report.

Civil Remedies for Rape

A rape victim may have civil remedies against:

  • The Rapist: The Illinois General Violence Act allows rape victims to sue rapists for physical and emotional harm caused by the rape; and
  • The Supervised Facility: if the facility was negligent in its supervision of the alleged rapist.  In other words, if the plaintiff can prove that the facility did not act like a reasonable facility would act, and as a result, a rape occurred, the plaintiff will be entitled to damages.

What to do if You’ve Been Raped

It is important to seek the counsel of an Illinois rape lawyer, even if the state of Illinois is prosecuting the rape case.  The state’s criminal case may punish the rapist, but it will not allow you to recover damages for your injuries.  In order to recover damages for things such as medical expenses, counseling, lost income, and pain and suffering, you will need to file a civil lawsuit.

Attorney Martin A. Dolan is an empathetic and compassionate Chicago attorney who understands the severe emotional and physical trauma suffered by rape victims.  He will aggressively and compassionately help Illinois rape victims in their pursuit of justice.

If you or a loved one have been raped, contact Dolan Law Offices today via our online contact form or call 312-676-7600 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

The personal injury lawyers at Dolan Law Offices represent injured victims throughout Illinois and the greater Chicagoland area, including Chicago Heights, Hillsdale,  Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Palatine, Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Prospect Heights, Wheaton, Inverness, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Elgin, Bartlett, Itasca, Bloomingdale, Cook County, DuPage County,  McHenry County, and Will County.