If you’ve experienced sexual assault, know that what happened to you was not your fault. The trauma you’re carrying is real, and you deserve support as you navigate the path forward.
Seeking legal help after a sexual assault takes tremendous courage. At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our compassionate personal injury attorneys have spent their careers helping survivors hold perpetrators accountable. An Arkansas sexual assault lawyer will handle your case with care and privacy while fighting hard for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys handle sexual abuse cases throughout Arkansas, representing survivors in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and communities across the state. We’re available 24/7 at (501) 868-2500 for a completely confidential and free consultation.
Under Arkansas law, sexual assault includes any unwanted sexual contact or activity that occurs without consent. These violations can happen anywhere:
Many sex crime survivors don’t realize they have legal options beyond the criminal justice system. While criminal cases focus on punishing the sex offender, civil lawsuits allow you to seek compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Our sexual assault lawyers can help you pursue a civil claim in Arkansas regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or what the outcome of a criminal case was.
The two systems serve different purposes:
Sexual assault can occur in any setting where perpetrators have access to victims and opportunities to abuse their power or trust. Our sexual assault attorneys have experience representing Arkansas survivors in a wide range of situations:
Workplace sexual assault happens when supervisors, coworkers, or clients use their position or access to commit assault. Employers who don’t properly check employees’ backgrounds, ignore complaints, or create unsafe work environments can be held responsible.
These assaults occur when doctors, therapists, clergy members, coaches, or other authority figures abuse their positions of trust. Cases often involve patterns of predatory behavior that institutions failed to stop.
Rideshare assaults involving Uber and Lyft drivers have become increasingly common as these services have grown.
Sexual assaults can occur on campus, at fraternity or sorority houses, or during school-sponsored events. Universities have specific obligations under Title IX to protect students and address sexual violence and sexual harassment.
Sometimes predators use gaming platforms like Roblox, chat applications like Discord, or social media to groom and exploit victims, particularly minors.
Hotel and hospitality industry assaults occur when hotels fail to provide adequate security, give unauthorized persons access to rooms, or ignore warning signs about staff members or guests.
When property owners, event venues, or businesses fail to implement reasonable security measures, assaults due to negligent security can happen.
Thousands of passengers across the country—including right here in Arkansas—have reported sexual assaults by Uber and Lyft drivers. Whether a driver picked you up on Markham Street in Little Rock or near the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, you trust that the company has done its due diligence. You expect they’ve thoroughly vetted the driver, checked their background, and created systems to keep you safe.
Rideshare companies have been criticized for inadequate background checks that fail to catch drivers with criminal histories. Some drivers have been deactivated from one platform only to start driving for another.
Under the law, Uber and Lyft have responsibilities to their passengers. When they fail in their duty to provide safe transportation, they can be held accountable. This includes liability for:
Our attorneys have handled rideshare sexual assault cases in Arkansas, holding these corporate defendants accountable. We know how the companies operate, how they try to shift blame when passengers are sexually abused, and how to build cases that establish liability.
Gaming platforms and social media apps attract sexual predators who target children and other vulnerable victims. Platforms like Roblox and Discord give them easy access to potential victims and tools to groom them over time.
These cases often follow a disturbing pattern. A predator makes contact through a game or chat feature, builds trust through friendly conversations, introduces sexual content, and eventually arranges an in-person meeting or coerces the victim into sharing explicit images.
The companies operating these platforms have legal responsibilities to protect users, especially children. When they fail to implement adequate safety features, age verification systems, content monitoring, or reporting mechanisms, they can be held liable for assaults that result from their negligence.
Platform liability can include:
Our sexual assault attorneys understand the technical and legal complexities of these cases in Arkansas. We work with experts who can analyze platform design, review safety protocols, and demonstrate how better systems could have prevented harm.
We’ve seen the devastating consequences of these online-facilitated sexual abuse acts, and we’re committed to holding tech companies accountable.
After an assault, your safety comes first. There’s no single ‘right’ way to respond to trauma, but these steps can help protect your health and your legal options:
A medical examination can address immediate health concerns, prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and document injuries.
This doesn’t require you to make a police report, but it does preserve physical evidence in case you want to pursue legal action later.
You don’t have to file a criminal report to pursue a civil case. Whatever you choose, we’ll respect your decision and work within your comfort level.
Especially for online-facilitated assaults. This includes screenshots of conversations, text messages, emails, social media posts, photos, and records of calls or video chats.
The National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-4673) provides free, confidential support 24/7. Many communities also have local rape crisis centers with trained counselors.
Consulting with a sexual assault lawyer helps you understand your options and protect your rights in Arkansas. Our consultations are confidential, and we never pressure you into a decision you’re not comfortable with.
A civil lawsuit lets you seek compensation for the ways sexual assault has impacted your life. Money can’t erase what happened, but it can help you access the resources you need to heal and rebuild.
Common types of compensation include:
The compensation you receive should reflect the full scope of harm you’ve suffered. Our job as your sexual assault attorney is to build a case that demonstrates that impact and fights for recovery that helps you move forward in Arkansas.
Arkansas law protects sexual assault survivors who pursue civil claims. The time limits for filing are complex, but recent changes have given survivors more time to file lawsuits—especially in cases involving minors.
The legal landscape continues to evolve as courts recognize the long-term nature of trauma and the barriers victims of sexual assault face in coming forward. Our sexual assault attorneys know Arkansas courts throughout the state, from Pulaski County to Washington County, and we understand how local judges handle these sensitive cases.
Reaching out for legal help takes extraordinary strength, especially when you’re already dealing with trauma.
Healing doesn’t follow a straight line. Certain situations can be triggering. You need to move at your own pace, and we respect that. We’ll never pressure you into anything you’re not ready for.
We’ve built relationships with counselors, therapists, and support services throughout Arkansas—from the crisis centers in Little Rock to the counseling services at UAMS and throughout Northwest Arkansas. When you need additional resources, we can connect you with professionals who can help.
Our track record speaks to our commitment. Our lawyers have successfully represented Arkansas sexual assault survivors in cases against individual perpetrators, corporations, institutions, and online platforms. We know how to investigate these cases and build compelling evidence that holds wrongdoers accountable.
Every consultation is completely confidential, and we take extraordinary measures to safeguard your privacy throughout the legal process.
Under our No Fee Guarantee®, you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case. We advance all case costs, so money never stands between you and justice.
Arkansas is our home. When our neighbors are hurt, we’re here to help them fight back and reclaim their lives. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, we’re here to listen.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
The time limit for filing a sexual assault civil case in Arkansas depends on your specific situation. Recent law changes have extended these deadlines, especially for cases involving minors. Because the law can be complex and depends on specific facts, it’s important to consult with an attorney who can evaluate your individual situation. Even if you think too much time has passed, call us. You may still have options.
Yes. Civil and criminal cases are completely separate. You can pursue a civil lawsuit regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or what happened in the criminal case. The standards of proof are different, and civil cases focus on compensating you rather than punishing the offender. Many successful civil cases involve situations where no criminal charges were filed or where the criminal case didn’t result in a conviction.
Trauma affects memory and the ability to come forward. Arkansas law recognizes this, and recent changes have extended the time survivors have to file claims. The answer depends on when the assault occurred, your age at the time, and other specific factors.
Arkansas law provides confidentiality protections for sexual assault survivors in legal proceedings. Your sexual assault attorney can work with the court to shield your identity from public disclosure in Arkansas. We take your privacy seriously and put measures in place to protect your confidentiality throughout the legal process. During your consultation, we can explain the specific protections available in your situation.
Yes. Rideshare companies have legal responsibilities to protect passengers. If they failed to adequately screen a driver, ignored warning signs, or didn’t have proper safety protocols in place, they can be held liable. These cases involve specific legal strategies, but our firm has experience holding these companies accountable for failing to protect passengers.
Online platforms have a duty to implement reasonable safety features, especially when they know children are using their services. If a platform’s negligence contributed to your child being groomed or assaulted, you may have a claim against the company. These cases are complex and require attorneys who understand both the technology and the law. We’ve handled cases involving online platforms and can evaluate whether you have grounds for legal action.
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, we are committed to advocating for victims and their families. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with an Arkansas sexual assault lawyer. Our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you take the first step toward justice.
With offices throughout Arkansas – Little Rock, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Jonesboro – our personal injury lawyers are easily accessible when you need help.
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