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Hi - I’m Kristen. I am an attorney that is licensed to practice law in North Carolina.
My team and I are committed to fighting for justice for survivors of sexual assault.
In North Carolina we represent victims of sexual abuse in the following types of cases:
When someone thinks of personal injuries they think of injuries from products or the side effects from drugs and medical devices. Sexual abuse is a personal injury. Often, the overlooked long-term effects of sexual assault or abuse are extremely damaging. We know the pain and suffering it causes. We know it damages future relationships and impacts everything in your life. The trauma requires healing and that healing can be helped by getting justice and telling your truth. Kristen Beightol in North Carolina offers a safe place for victims of the heinous conduct of abusers. You can take action by filling out our contact form or picking up your phone and calling us about your sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or sex trafficking situation. We will answer your questions, and give you as much advice as possible. We have seen and helped survivors in many situations.
After surviving, as the victim of a sexual crime, it’s normal to wonder how the predator who violated you will be criminally prosecuted. A conviction can help provide a sense of justice and also helps take dangerous sexual predators out of the community before they can continue to victimize others.
We’ve summarized North Carolina’s sexual assault and sexual abuse laws below, which can give you an idea of how much time your perpetrator may face. But these laws do change, so it’s best to speak with an experienced North Carolina victims’ rights lawyer if you want to get a better understanding of how the legal system might handle your case.
Our team of NC sexual abuse attorneys can fill you in on the criminal justice process, but we specialize in helping survivors get financial support through civil courts.
However, you should be aware that criminal courts often fail to adequately consider the needs of victims. This is why many survivors often turn to civil courts by filing sexual abuse lawsuits against both perpetrators and third parties who could have done more to prevent the crime.
For more information on how the civil and criminal process work in parallel, contact Kristen, our NC sexual abuse lawyer, who is experienced in handling child abuse, molestation, child pornography, and sex trafficking cases.
1033 Oberlin Rd Suite 100,
Raleigh, NC 27605
(984) 256-8484
A civil sexual abuse lawsuit offers victims the opportunity to:
From Wilmington and Durham to Charlotte and Asheville, our experienced abuse attorneys are here to help you pursue justice with confidence. Learn more about your legal options in a free, confidential consultation.
A survivor of sexual abuse in North Carolina has until the age of 28 years old to bring a civil lawsuit against institutions responsible for the abuse that occurred.
Abuse Guardians has reviewed and vetted several sexual abuse lawyers in North Carolina. We appointed Kristen Beightol as our Abuse Guardian in North Carolina because of her track record in such complicated cases.
In North Carolina, there are several statutes which are used to prosecute sexual predators who commit crimes of child sexual abuse:
There are two different laws which are used to prosecute people who commit statutory rape:
A person is guilty of this offense if he or she is at least 18 years olf and engages in vaginal intercourse with a victim who is younger than 13 years old. A conviction for statutory rape of a child by an adult is punishable by a sentence of anywhere from 300 months in prison to life without parole, depending on the offenders prior criminal history. Upon release, people convicted of this offense are subject to satellite-based monitoring for the rest of their lives.
An offender who engages in vaginal intercourse with another person who is 15 years of age or younger when the offender is at least 12 years old and at least six years older than the victim is guilty of a Class B1 felony punishable by anywhere from 144 months in prison to life without parole. If the offender is at least 12 years old and more than four but less than six years older than the victim, the offense is a Class C felony punishable by 44-182 months in prison.
A statutory sexual offense involves unlawful sexual contact (but no penetration) inflicted on a victim who falls below the age of consent. These offenses are also broken into two classifications:
A person is guilty of this crime if they’re at least 18 years old and engage in any type of sexual activity with a victim who is under 13 years old. The penalty is based on criminal history and ranges from 300 months to life in prison, with lifetime surveillance upon release.
A person is guilty of a first-degree statutory sexual offense if he or she engages in a sexual act with a victim who is younger than 13 years old, the defendant is at least 12 years old and also at least four years older than the victim. This means that this law can be used to prosecute minors who sexually abuse other minors.
The sentence for this crime also depends on prior criminal history and ranges from 144 months to life in prison without parole.
This crime can be charged as either a Class B1 or Class C felony:
Any teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer, or coach of any age who has vaginal intercourse or any other sexual contact with a student who is at least four years younger than them is guilty of an offense called sexual activity with a student. This crime is punishable by 3-12 months in prison, depending on prior criminal history.
This law is used to prosecute anyone who has assumed the position of a parent in the home of a minor and engages in vaginal intercourse or another sexual act with the minor residing in that home. This offense is punishable by 15-63 months in prison.
North Carolina generally uses three laws to prosecute sex offenders who violate adult victims:
Anyone who engages in sexual intercourse with someone else through the use of force or against their will is guilty of forcible rape. This crime can be charged in one of two degrees, depending on the circumstances of the crime:
First-degree forcible rape involves sexual intercourse committed through force and under any of the following additional circumstances:
Forcible rape in the first degree is punishable by 144 months to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A person will be charged with second-degree forcible rape if he or she engages in vaginal force with another person through force or against their will, or if the victim is mentally disabled, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless and the offender is aware of this inability to consent to the act. Punishable by 44-182 months in prison.
A person is guilty of a forcible sexual offense if they subject a victim to unconsented sexual acts which fall short of penetration. In some other states, forcible sexual offenses might be classified as sexual assault, instead. These charges are also applied as either first or second degree, and the same circumstances listed under first and second-degree forcible rape qualify here, with the same sentences.
A person can be convicted of sexual battery if he or she engages in sexual touching with another person by force or against their will, or with a victim who is mentally disabled, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless and the offender is aware of this fact. This crime is punishable by 1 day to 150 days in prison and a fine.
Some survivors of abuse suffer from anxiety and many other mental health conditions that are directly caused by the sexual abuse they endured. Many try to manage this anxiety through medicinal products such as non thc cbd oils, cannabinoids, marijuana, cannabis, and other drugs. These substances can help some, however, many of our clients really begin healing after telling their truth and getting justice from those that allowed the sex assault or abuse to happen to them.
1. According to the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, there are approximately 16,000 rapes and sexual assaults reported in North Carolina each year.
2. Of those 16,000 reported rapes and sexual assaults, it is estimated that only about one-third of all incidents are actually reported to law enforcement.
3. The vast majority of sexual assault victims in North Carolina are female. In fact, nearly 90% of all victims are female.
4. The average age of a sexual assault victim in North Carolina is just under 28 years old.
5. The vast majority of sexual assaults in North Carolina are committed by someone the victim knows. In fact, nearly 60% of all sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows, such as a friend, family member, or acquaintance.
1. North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States.
2. North Carolina is the 28th most populous state in the US.
3. As of 2016, the estimated population of North Carolina was 10,042,802.
4. The state's capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte.
5. North Carolina is nicknamed the "Tar Heel State".
6. The state is home to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the Outer Banks.
7. North Carolina is known for its barbecue, sweet tea, and college basketball.
8. The state is also home to the Research Triangle, which is home to three major research universities: Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University.
9. North Carolina was one of the thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution.
1. If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, you may be entitled to compensation
2. North Carolina sexual abuse lawyers can help
3. You don't have to face this alone - we can help
4. We have experience handling sexual abuse cases
5. We will fight for you
6. You deserve justice
7. We will hold the responsible parties accountable
8. We will help you get the compensation you deserve
9. We will fight for your rights
10. We believe you
11. We are here for you
In North Carolina, child day care abuse occurs frequently. Children are especially vulnerable in the hands of others. When children are abused, they suffer emotional damage and physical injuries. Some of these injuries include: bruises, bleeding, broken bones, burns, and other physical injuries. Child abuse attorneys are professionals who understand how to help victims of child abuse. Child abuse attorneys have helped many people in North Carolina receive compensation for their injuries. At Abuse Guardian Kristen Beightol, Esq., we are passionate about helping those who have suffered abuse. We know that children are innocent and should not be victimized. We will fight for you until you are compensated for your injuries.
Boarding School Sexual Abuse in North Carolina: The number of children being sexually abused at boarding schools has dramatically increased over the years. In many cases, the victims are children who are too afraid to tell anyone about what happened to them because of the stigma surrounding abuse. The victims may even feel like their only option is to go to court. If you are the victim of boarding school sexual abuse, we can help. At Abuse Guardians - Kristen Beightol, Esq., we are dedicated to helping victims of sexual abuse recover the compensation they deserve. If you have been sexually abused by someone in the care of a school or church, we can help. At Abuse Guardian Kristen Beightol, Esq., we are dedicated to helping victims of sexual abuse recover the compensation they deserve. Our legal team is ready to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for the abuse you suffered.
https://sites.google.com/view/abuse-lawyer-north-carolina/
Kristen was wonderfully supportive in my professional experience with her. She really offered catered service that was genuine and connected with what I needed during a really difficult time. - Cody M.
In this webinar, the experienced North Carolina sexual abuse lawyer Kristen Beightol, Esq. will discuss how to report sexual abuse in North Carolina. The webinar will also cover how to do so if its an adult or child sex abuse case. This webinar will be by Google Hangouts. To register, please email [email protected]
Date: 06/30/2022 at 9:30 PM
