UK police are investigating the sexual abuse of a young girl’s avatar in the metaverse. The victim, who is under 16 years old, was participating in an immersive video game when her avatar was sexually assaulted by a group of men. This incident is believed to be the first official investigation of a sexual assault incident in virtual reality, though physical and sexual abuse in the metaverse has been a problem for many years.
The girl, who was wearing a virtual reality headset at the time, was understandably traumatized by the event. For many years, victims of metaverse sexual abuse were largely ignored, and the existing laws did not cover incidents of online sexual harassment and assault. Aside from avatars in video games, sexual predators also use artificial intelligence software to create child pornography featuring images of children found online.
Thankfully, there have been significant changes in the attitudes and laws pertaining to the sexual abuse of children. This includes arterially created scenarios of child sexual abuse in virtual settings. Therefore, companies have to take preventative measures to protect children in metaverse spaces.
According to Richard Collard of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, “Online sexual abuse has a devastating impact on children – and in immersive environments where senses are intensified, harm can be experienced in very similar ways to the ‘real world.”
We couldn’t agree more with Collard’s assessment and the responsibility that virtual reality platforms have to their underage users. If you or your child was sexually exploited on a metaverse platform, please contact the attorneys of Normandie Law Firm.
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Can I Sue if I am a Victim of Metaverse Assault or Harassment?
Yes, you can file a lawsuit for sexual abuse during childhood if you were assaulted or harassed on an online platform. These incidents are more common than most people realize due to the popularity of VR (virtual reality) headsets. As of 2022, around 21% of children between the ages of 5 and 10 were regular participants in virtual reality games.
It’s no wonder companies are rolling out metaverse platforms to take advantage of this growing interest in virtual settings. But in their race to attract young gamers, they fail to prioritize the safety of children from sexual predators. These offenders will argue that they are not committing real acts of violence, and that these are role playing scenarios using avatars, not actual children. However, this form of assault is defined as child sexual assault under California law, and victims have the right to sue the people that placed them in danger.
California, in fact, is very progressive in its laws regarding online safety of children, especially from incidents of sexual abuse. In October 2023, Assembly Bill 1394 was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. Currently, this is the strongest law in the United States aimed at child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the internet, particularly social media and various online platforms.
Essentially, those who knowingly aid or facilitate the sexual exploitation of minors will face stiff punishments, including fines of up to $250,000 per violation. The law won’t go into effect until January 1, 2025, but victims can still seek justice by suing negligent companies that place profits above the safety of underage users.
As a victim of virtual sexual abuse, you can sue the company that failed in their duty of care to you. However, it’s important to understand your rights and legal options before you embark on the legal process. For a free case review with a metaverse sexual abuse attorney, contact us today.
Average Value of a Child Sexual Assault Lawsuit
On average, you can expect to receive around $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 for cases of child sexual assault. However, sexual abuse using avatars and other virtual technology is a relatively new category in the field of personal injury law. Thus, it’s hard to say what the average settlement will be for one of these cases. However, the degree of injury to the victim, which includes psychological damage and acts of misconduct / negligence by the defendant are the biggest factors when it comes to the value of a sexual abuse lawsuit. Some cases of metaverse sexual abuse are settled for $500,000, while others will result in payments of $10,000,000 to $15,000,000.
How Long Do I have to File a Metaverse Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
As a victim of child sexual abuse, you must file a lawsuit within 22 years from your 18th birthday. In other words, you have up to the age of 40 to sue for online abuse of a sexual nature. However, exceptions can be made for someone that’s older than 40 if there is a delayed discovery of injuries from sexual abuse.
Injuries from sexual abuse can include bodily harm, but metaverse sexual assault incidents do not leave physical injuries. However, many victims end up with mental health conditions that are not obvious right away. Moreover, a victim may not understand that these issues are a direct result of sexual abuse. Therefore, many years can go by before the victim seeks help from a therapist and discovers the harm they’ve suffered.
Even if the victim has exceeded the statute of limitations for a childhood sex abuse lawsuit, there is 5-year window to sue an online platform for the sexual assault of a minor.
How Long Do these Cases Take to Settle?
The majority of online sexual abuse cases at our law firm take 12 months to settle, though some cases will take 2 or more years. There are times when a settlement is reached in 6 months or less, but most cases will take around 1 to 2 years. This is particularly true with cases involving virtual technology, which do not result in visible injuries. Therefore, making a case for compensation can be quite challenging, but rest assured that our lawyers have decades of experience in the recovery of emotional distress and mental anguish settlements.
Speak to a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Attorney
Our law firm has been fighting for the rights of sexual abuse victims for many years, including adult survivors of child sexual assault. The laws pertaining to sexual violence are constantly evolving, and as a result, it’s essential to obtain legal advice from an experienced sexual assault lawsuit attorney.
We offer free legal services under the Zero Fee Guarantee, so the cost of hiring a lawyer is never on your shoulders. Instead, our payment is included in the settlement check you receive at the end of your case. In the event we fail to recover your payment, you won’t be responsible for a single penny in legal fees.
With nothing to lose, we hope you’ll take the chance of contacting us for a free case evaluation if you or your loved one was sexually abused in a video game or another virtual reality platform.
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