Compensation for Victims of Sexual Assault:
The Responsibility of Parties Who Enabled the Harm - Extended Version with Data
Introduction
Sexual assault is a severe trauma that can leave deep scars on the victim throughout their life. In addition to the psychological harm, victims of sexual assault may also suffer physical, financial, and social damages.
In many cases, not only the perpetrator himself is responsible for the assault, but also third parties who enabled or contributed to its occurrence. These parties can be institutions, organizations, or even individuals who were aware of the potential for harm but did not take steps to prevent it.
Liability of Third Parties
Famous Examples:
The Reverend Lawrence Murphy Affair: In 2018, the Catholic Church in Ireland was ordered to pay compensation of 16 million euros to victims of sexual assault who were attacked by Reverend Lawrence Murphy. Murphy was tried and convicted of assaulting 47 children between 1975 and 2002. The church knew about Murphy's crimes but took no action to stop him. https://www.themarker.com/allnews/2023-12-14/ty-article/.premium/0000018c-67f3-d798-adac-e7ff9c2c0000
Jeffrey Epstein Affair: In 2021, Virginia Jeffrey, one of Jeffrey Epstein's victims, reached a settlement with his ex-wife, Gillian Maxwell, for $15 million. Epstein, an American billionaire, was accused of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors. Maxwell, who was a close associate of Epstein, was accused of aiding and abetting him in his actions. https://www.haaretz.co.il/opinions/letters/2024-01-07/ty-article-opinion/.premium/0000018c-e39d-d213-a1ed-ffdda9a00000
Teacher Aviad Dzari case: In 2023, Aviad Dzari, a teacher at a high school in Petah Tikva, was ordered to pay NIS 2 million in damages to a female student he sexually harassed. Dzari was convicted of sexual harassment and indecent assault while exploiting a relationship of dominance. https://www.haaretz.co.il/opinions/letters/2024-01-07/ty-article-opinion/.premium/0000018c-e39d-d213-a1ed-ffdda9a00000
Numerical data:
Israel:
According to the Ministry of Justice, in 2022, Approximately 10,000 sexual assault compensation claims. https://www.gov.il/ar/pages/spokesmenmessage301123
Approximately 70% of the claims ended in a settlement outside the walls of the court.
The average amount of compensation awarded to victims of sexual assault in 2022 was approximately 500,000 NIS.
United States:
According to RAINN (The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), in 2020, entities in the United States were ordered to pay compensation totaling $2.3 billion to victims of sexual assault. https://www.rainn.org/about-rainn
Among the entities that paid compensation are schools, youth organizations, hospitals, nursing homes, the United States military, and more.
The average amount of compensation awarded to victims of sexual assault in the United States in 2020 was approximately $1.2 million.
The Importance of Compensation Claims
Victims of sexual assault are entitled to compensation for the damages they suffered as a result of the injury. Third-party compensation claims can help victims cope with the consequences of the injury and improve their quality of life.
In addition, these claims can act as a deterrent and prevent future injuries. They help raise awareness of the problem of sexual assault and oblige third parties to take steps to prevent these injuries.
Professional Legal Advice
If you have been the victim of sexual assault, it is important to seek professional legal advice as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer will be able to review the details of your case and determine whether you have grounds for a compensation claim.He or she will help you gather the necessary evidence and build a strong case to present in court.
It is important to remember that we established Pay Day to create an effective mechanism for compensation and deterrence whose effectiveness depends solely on the willingness of victims to use the platform and cleanse the world of sexual assault.
In conclusion
Sexual assault is a serious crime that severely harms victims. It is important to remember that victims of sexual assault are not at fault for the harm they suffer.
They are entitled to compensation for the damages they suffered as a result of the harm, and compensation claims against third parties can contribute greatly to this goal.
If you have been the victim of sexual assault, we are here for you